Have you heard of Watou, this gem of West Flanders nestled on the French border? Miraculously spared the ravages of history, this village has preserved its authentic 18th- and 19th-century setting, dominated by the majestic St. Bavo Church. Behind its picturesque facades, however, beats a heart of wild intensity. Outside, the lush greenery of the Westhoek beckons to hikers for cycling getaways along the Smugglers’ Trail. Betweenthe avant-garde buzz of the Arts Festival and a sensory journey through its iconic breweries, explore a charming retreat.
The unspoiled history of the Westhoek: the secrets of old Flemish stone
First mentioned in 1123 as “Wathewa,” Watou has weathered the centuries with rare resilience. During World War I, the village benefited from an incredible stroke of luck, escaping the destruction that ravaged the region. This historical miracle, combined with a lack of modernization until the 1976 municipal mergers, has preserved its setting from centuries past. Designated a protected site in 1985, this gem naturally earned the “Charming Village ” label in 2014.
Strolling through the market square is like stepping back in time to the castle of 1810. Further on,the Romanesque-style St. Bavo’s Church (12th century), later remodeled in the Gothic style in the 16th century, proudly preserves its medieval nave and period tombs. In the cemetery surrounding it, emotion wells up before the twelve graves of British soldiers from the Great War. An intimate and majestic heritage, where every stone whispers a secret of eternal Flanders.
Local flavors and cobblestone walks: Watou in the great outdoors
Dubbed the “beer village,” Watou rejects labels. From its market square, 8- to 10-kilometer cobblestone hikes set off along the border drawn in 1677. Following the Warande Trail, you can take a detour into France in the footsteps of former smugglers, to the rhythm ofthe delightful Vlèmsch dialect. Along the way,art comes alive in the open air with works by Roger Raveel and Hugo Claus.
But the magic of the place truly comes alive during the Kunstenfestival Watou. From July 15 to August 30, 2026, more than fifty artists and poets will take over the village’s farms and barns to explore what it means to live together. Next, it’s time for zythology with two village institutions: the Van Eecke brewery and its famous Kapittel, and the Sint-Bernardus brewery. The latter offers a unique interactive sensory experience, culminating in a panoramic tasting on the rooftop of Bar Bernard, overlooking the wide-open spaces of the Westhoek.
