...Land of the giants and the windmills
Extending on the northern half of the Belgian border, this region, as its name indicates, is in the north of France. It is divided into 5 territories:
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Flandre Côte d'Opale
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Cœur de Flandre
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Lille Métropole
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Hainaut
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Avesnois
Each of these territories is rich in diversity and contrasts. The visitor is also seduced by the pleasant, hospitable and convivial people of the north. They are known as the 'Ch'timis' and their love of festivities and welcoming nature is striking. The traditions, original flavors, cultural and architectural heritage of this region, its nature and the outdoor activities, make it an attractive destination for short or long stays.
Cœur de Flandre
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Between Côte d'Opale and Lille, stretches the flatlands of Cœur de Flandre "The Heart of Flanders".
Overlooking the fertile plains, the forests and the little villages however, a chain of hills adds a third dimension to the landscape between Cassel and Boeschèpe.
Between these flatlands and hills, one can discover the authentic and rich traditions, the arts, cultural heritage, and gastronomy of the "land of the giants and the windmills".
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The land of the giants and the windmills
Ever-present in the landscape of the Flanders are the windmills. Traditionally, in the 18th century, thousands of mills existed on these plains; they produced flour, oils and cereals. Today, just a few have survived, but they are well maintained and are proud to be part of a guided tour for the visitors.
The Moulin de Cassel or "Casteel Meulen" is one of those 18th century windmills on a pivot. The Moulin de Flandres or the "Roome Meulen" was built in the 17th century and then destroyed in 1927. Today, it is restored and functioning well, and it remains a proud witness of past activities.
The "Steenmeulen" is made of brick and is the only tower mill of the region. Built in 1864, on the mound of a pivot mill, it has been maintained in a perfect working condition.
There are others worth a visit too, such as the mills of Boeschèpe, Houtkerque, Steenvoorde, Terdeghem, Watten and Wormhout.
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The Giants are huge wicker mannequins, representing legendary heroes. Each has its own story and its song repertoire. They come out for parades during various celebrations throughout the year or during carnivals.
This is a particular Flemish tradition. Among the famous ones are the Gargantua in Bailleul, and Jean the woodcutter in Steenvoorde. Some other Giants such as Roland, Tijse-Tajse, and Toria & Babe-Tijse, can be found in the Museum of the Giants.
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The museum is an ancient Augustine convent and contains beautiful collections of Flemish and French paintings and many pieces of religious art.
Amongst the other museums of regional folklore is the Musée Jeanne Devos, who was the first woman photographer. Portraits, religious ceremonies, village feasts, landscapes, personalities, some 100,000 photographs are exhibited in an ancient presbytery, which was also her home.
At Steenwerck, the Musée de la vie rurale, is a place where time has stopped. In a farm with a courtyard, the visitor can discover a rural village where more than 30 activities of the period between 1850 and 1960 are represented ; farm work, various trades, many shops (baker, butcher, grocery) are all reconstituted.
The Benoit De Puydt Museum, assembles the private collection of this man who had a passion for Flemish arts and culture from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Of interest also is the Maison de la Dentelle, where the techniques of the art of lace making are taught. Lace remains part of the region's know-how and tradition since the 17th century. Located at Bailleul in a neo-flemish building, la maison de la dentelle is more than a museum, as it is also used as a workshop, and a school.
The trip through the cultural heritage is not complete without mentioning the abbeys, the chapels, the carillons and retables of Flanders. In more than 50 churches, these historic monuments of the middle ages, and of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, represents the religious history of the French Flanders.
Estaminets and micro-brasseries
Everywhere in France, a region's cuisine is based on local products and
aromas. In Flanders, the cuisine is rich but delicate.
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Among its
specialties, the carbonnade, a beef dish simmered in beer, and the potjevleesch, a mixture of cold cuts in an aromatic
jelly. These specialties are best savored in the Estaminets, which are small local authentic
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The atmosphere is convivial with traditional games and ancient instruments of music.
The drink that accompanies the local cuisine is rather the local beer, made with the best malt and hop and mostly served in special breweries called micro-brasseries. As a major hop producing land, Flanders produces specialty beers, brewed in the old traditional ways non-filtered and non-pasteurized.
There are many activities and traditional games a visitor can do in this region, you can read about them in our "Leisure" column.
