De Haan

De Haan (French: Le Coq) used to be a very popular destination among the French speaking aristocracy and rich.
The current day municipality of De Haan also contains the villages of Klemskerke, Vlissegem, Vosseslag and Wenduine (which also is a seaside resort).

• Tourist office De Haan

  phone: +32 59 24 21 34
  address: Tramlijn-Oost
  Located in the former tram station.

• Tourist office Wenduine

  phone: +32 50 41 24 69
  address: Leopold II-laan
  Located in the village of Wenduine.

The coastal tram (de Kusttram in Dutch) is the easiest way to reach De Haan by public transport. The tram line runs from De Panne near the French border to Knokke near the Dutch border. One could take the train from Ghent, Bruges or Brussels and transfer to the tram at Ostend or Blankenberge, the railway and tram stations being next to each other. De Haan has 3 tram stops; you probably want the stop at De Haan aan Zee which has a very quaint, photogenic station building. De Lijn operates the coastal tram.

The central portion of the town is about a kilometre long and just over half as wide, so you can get around easily on foot. Between De Haan and Wenduine you can very easily take the Kusttram. However, if you want to see the sights in the inland villages of for example Klemskerke, than the best way to do so is by bike or by car.

Bike rental

• Fietshuis Catrysse

  phone: +32 59 23 43 77
  address: Leopoldlaan 16
  Bike rental company in the town centre of De Haan. Here bikes are for rent for already a few hours up to several weeks.

• Fietsen André

  phone: +32 59 23 37 89
  address: Leopoldlaan 9
  Another bike rental company in the town centre of De Haan.

A distinctive characteristic of De Haan is the fanciful architecture of many of its buildings, both commercial as well as residential. Many buildings are in the belle époque style. The buildings can be a reason in itself to visit De Haan. Most such buildings of interest are between the tram line and the beach. The commercial buildings (hotels, restaurants) are on the route from the tram station to the beach and along the beach itself. One should also look at the houses along residential streets as almost all have some degree of quaintness.

• Tram StationThe tram station itself is much photographed. The name of the station De Haan aan Zee literally means the rooster by the sea. Between the tram tracks is a historical sign saying "don't step on the tracks" in Dutch on one side and in French on the other. The coastal tram used to be part of a much larger network of cross-country trams (known as the Vicinal in French and the Buurttram in Dutch) of which very little remains in operation today.

• SpioenkopSmall white pavillion built on top of the second highest dune of Belgium (31 meters above sea level). This place is close to the village center of Wenduine. From the pavillion you can have a nice view over the surrounding dunes.

• Villa Savoyarde

  address: Shakespearelaan 5
  Albert Einstein lived in the villa "Savoyarde" for six months in 1933 after escaping the growing nazi regime Germany. After six months he moved to the United States. The house is not open for visit and is private property with people living in the house, please respect this.
• There is a small park at the end of the street Normandiëlaan which contains the life-size statue of Albert Einstein sitting on a park bench.

• Hubertmolen

  address: Park Leopold II
  This wooden mill built by Jan Hubert in 1880 can be compared to those in the Netherlands. Jan Hubert belonged to the most important miller family of the Belgian coast.

• De Grote Schamele Weecke

  phone: + 32 59 23 30 02
  address: Lepelemstraat 44
  This historic farm in the village of Vlissegem with a monumental barn dates back to the 14th century. The barn is now located in a hotel called Hof ter Lepelem.

• DuinbossenThis unusual woodland stretching from Vosseslag to Wenduine. The nature reserves 'De Zandpanne' and 'De Kijkuit' are situated in or next to the 'Duinbossen'. Several paths allow walkers to cross the terrain. Maybe you can spot one of the galloway cows grazing between Wenduine and Zwarte Kiezel.

• Nature Reserve D'Heye

  address: Batterijstraat-Koerslaan
  This nature reserve consists of a more than 1000 years old dune area, located between De Haan (Vosseslag village to be more precise) and the neighboring municipality of Bredene. Since 1993 it is protected as a nature reserve.

• Town Hall

  address: Leopoldlaan 24
  The current town hall was built as the first luxury hotel Grand Hotel du Coq in De Haan with running hot water. In the period after the Second World War the building served as a holiday centre for Walloon children. The coastline that time was more inland, so the hotel was situated right next to the beach. Since the 1970s the building is used as the town hall.

Walk, play or sleep on the beach, bike on the seafront or in the country.

• Royal Golf Club Oostende

  phone: +32 59 23 32 83
  address: Koninklijke Baan 2
  One of the oldest golf courses in Belgium and the only link course on the Belgian coast. It was built in assignment of king Leopold II due to his aspirations to make Ostend more appealing to British tourists. The golf course is called "Oostende", but it actually is situated in De Haan, albeit in the direction of Ostend.

De Haan is not known as a shopping destination, but of course there are the high end boutiques that are typical for sea side resorts.

• Delhaize

  phone: +32 59 23 30 57
  address: Stationsstraat 8
  The most conveniently located supermarket, very close to the main tram station.
• There are two other supermarkets (Smatch and ALDI) located along the Grotestraat, a bit more south of the centre.

Budget

• Frietvosje

  phone: +32 483 30 29 20
  address: Vosseslag 134
  One of the most appreciated frietkoten in De Haan municipality, though situated in the village of Vosseslag. This is the place you have to go to if you want to have some good fries in De Haan.

• Strand

  phone: +32 59 23 34 25
  address: Zeedijk 19
  A brasserie on the beach and restaurant of the Strandhotel. A great place to drink a trappist beer or eat a shrimp croquette.

Mid-range

• Le Kok sur Mer

  phone: +32 59 43 09 70
  address: Warvinge 49
  Great restaurant in the village of Vlissegem. The food is very tasty and beautifully served.

• Bleu Chaud

  phone: +32 59 32 38 35
  address: Koninklijke Baan 15
  Meat and grill restaurant in the centre of De Haan. Most courses are with meat and fish. Dishes for children are available.

• Markt 11

  phone: +32 59 43 44 44
  address: Driftweg 11
  Luxurious restaurant with a fine cuisine is a good location for fine dining in De Haan.

Splurge

De Haan is not the place to go to if you want to experience some buzzing nightlife. However, there are a few spots that offer a nice setting for a relaxing tea or coffee.

• Mano

  phone: +32 59 24 22 40
  address: Zeedijk 18
  Nice brasserie with coffee and tea located on the seaside promenade. Also offer snacks such as waffles and ice cream. Ideal for a small afternoon break from the beach.

• Koffiehuis Provence

  phone: +32 474 47 49 14
  address: Stationsstraat 11
  Cozy place with friendly service. Tea, coffee and snacks are served here.

• Bij Mady en Peter

  address: Kerkstraat 46
  Typical Belgian cafe bar to have a coffee or beer.

• Cocktailbar Ipanema

  phone: +32 479 26 08 38
  address: Grotestraat 8
  Cocktails in an exotic bar.

Budget

• Camping De Heide

  phone: +32 59 23 77 65
  address: Driftweg 210A
  Camping located on the edge of the De Haan municipality. This camping offers spots for tents, caravans and campers. Parking spaces for cars are included. WiFi and hot water are available. Open from 31 March until 3 October.

Mid-range

• Sunparks De Haan aan Zee

  phone: +32 50 42 95 96
  address: Wenduinsesteenweg 151
  Big holiday park behind the dunes where well equipped holiday houses are available. In the center of the park is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna and wellness centre. The park is open during the whole year.

• Ibis De Haan

  phone: +32 59 24 20 30
  address: Wenduinesteenweg 136
  Comfortable economy hotel located behind the beautiful dune forest.

• Maison Rabelais

  phone: +32 59 43 33 99
  address: Van Eycklaan 2
  Small B&B in a 1939 villa. Garden with 4 sunbeds and other garden furniture.

• Holiday Suites De Haan

  phone: +32 2 588 03 03
  address: Sparrensbolaan
  Apartments equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom. The domain has a free outdoor swimming pool opened during the summer months.

Splurge

• Romantik Manoir Carpe Diem

  phone: +32 59 233220
  address: Prins Karellaan 12
  A charming little four star hotel in the Concessie (the white villas part of De Haan), near the beach and the natural "dune" reserve and not far from the village.

• Grand Hotel Belle Vue

  phone: +32 59 23 34 39
  address: Koninklijk Plein 5
  Excellent four star high-end hotel housed in a 1912 monumental corner building.

• Take the tram to other coastal places such as Knokke, Ostend or Nieuwpoort.