Oostduinkerke
Oostduinkerke is a popular seaside resort in the Belgian province of West-Flanders. The name Oostduinkerke can be translated as 'East of Dunkirk'. The French border and Dunkirk are only a few miles away.
Oostduinkerke lies amidst a vast dune area (approximately 240 ha), which is now a protected nature reserve. It is part of Koksijde, which also includes St-Idesbald and Wulpen. Together they count 20.000 inhabitants. To go for walks in the nature reserves (701 ha) or on the beach (8 km) or on the promenade (3,6 km) is a refreshing experience. There is a vast sandy beach, stretching from 250 to 700 m at ebb-tide and extending over 30 km, via De Panne to the beach of Dunkirk (France). Sand yachters and parakarters take full advantage of the ideal conditions of such an opportunity for their adrenaline-pumping sport. Fishery folklore is still very much alive. Oostduinkerke is known for its shrimpers on horseback, a considerable tourist attraction. It is the only place in the world where you can see such shrimpers. Oostduinkerke can boast several museums. First of all, there is the well-known National Fishery Museum, giving a historical survey of Flemish fishery by showing among other things scale models of fishing boats from 800 AD up to the present, and an original fisherman's cottage. Other museums worthwhile visiting are : 'The Key and Lock Museum' (a unique historical survey of 3,000 years of keys and locks), a regional museum 't Krekelhof (a huge collection of craft objects and curiosities from the 19th century), and Florishof (old crafts and folkloristic objects).
The museum of the historical Abbey of Ten Duinen is set in a modern building, explaining the enormous religious and cultural importance of this abbey throughout history and showing the daily life of Cistercian monks from the early Middle Ages, beginning in 1107 till the death of the last monk in 1833. The archeological site has been restored, and is open to the public. The attic of the museum contains a remarkable collection of liturgical silver ware. The British Military Cemetery (1940-1945) bears witness to British sacrifices in the Battle of Dunkirk. Close by, in St-Idesbald, you can find the Paul Delvaux museum, showing a large collection of this Belgian surrealist painter of international fame. Nowhere in the world you will find a larger collection of his paintings, among them some absolute masterpieces.
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