Places to visit | Local area map | Quick Tour

Bailleul

Bailleul town hall + belfry in main square
Bailleul's reconstructed belfry & Town Hall today in the main square built in Flemish style in the 1920s.
Bailleul: ruined church 1918
1918 - ruined church

Flemish architecture
As you walk through this small town, following the trail guide from the tourist office, you see the many Flemish-style buildings. Perched on top of a small hill amid fertile flat Flanders farmland, Bailleul worked hard in 1919-34 to restore and enhance its architectural heritage.

First World War
The town was left 98% in ruins at the end of the First World War, and at one time it was suggested that the ruins might be preserved as a stark reminder of the horrors of war.

Flemish heritage
The
Benoît de Puydt Museum, the Lace Museum and other local centres celebrating traditional crafts make Bailleul a good place for an exploration of the heritage of the region's country towns.
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Bailleul: First world war ruins  Jesuit College, Bailleul
1. Bailleul in ruins after the 1st World War
2. Reconstructed Jesuits' College in Baroque Flemish style - reminder of the Counter-Reformation when Flanders was ruled by Spain. Back to top

Countryside around Bailleul

Beck Farm brewerey cart ride through hopfields St Hubert and hunting
1. Traditional brewery at Beck Farm, nr.Bailleul. 2. Go for a gentle ride through the hopfields in a cart.
3. Saint Hubert's Festival at Mont des Cats nr.Bailleul, celebrating the Hunt, hunting, and its working animals. Back to top

Web links and more information
Tourist information:
3 Grand Place, 59270 BAILLEUL
Tel: 00 33 3 28 43 81 00
Fax: 00 33 3 28 43 81 01

Local area map:
map
Click on towns for more information
Link to NORD Tourist Board
at www.crt-nord.fr/an/villes [in English]

Places to visit
Beck Farm - farm visits & brewery
Benoît de Puydt Museum - collection of Flemish art
Country-life Museum - Steenwerck (5km S): rural Flanders in 1900
"De Vierpot" Estaminet (Flemish bar) and windmill - Boeschepe (5km N)
Maison de la dentelle - lace museum, with school of hand lace-making
Mont-Noir - (6km N) départmental park, European writers & cultural centre

Background Information:
First World War
Flemish dialect and customs

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QUICK TOUR round the Heart of Flanders, starting with a typical Flemish estaminet...
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www.theotherside.co.uk Last updated 19th June 2002 / 24th August 2000 © Copyright Invicta Media 1999-2002