Bezoekerscentrum Boekhoute

About the museum

The visitor centre of Boekhoute is located in the village of Boekhoute, a district of Assenede, and is run by the local authority. It is at the same time an official information point of Toerisme Meetjesland and a small museum site about the village's past. Across two floors, the exhibition “Vissersdorp zonder haven” (“Fishing village without a harbour”) tells the story of the Boekhoute shrimp fishermen.

In 2018 the last fisherman of Boekhoute went out to sea, the end of a long tradition. Over time the village had three harbours, traces of which can still be recognised in the landscape today. Alongside the exhibition there is a walk that leads to the remains of those vanished harbours.

In the attic, the exhibition “Grote Vrouwen en de Groote Oorlog” (“Great Women and the Great War”) is on show. During the First World War, Boekhoute lay in the étappe zone (the rear area behind the front) close to the Dutch border and was therefore an important area for smuggling and resistance. Five women, including a spy, a fisherman's wife, a nurse and a soup-kitchen worker, tell how they survived the occupation.

Highlights

• Exhibition on the Boekhoute shrimp fishermen and three vanished harbours
• Attic exhibition on five women in the First World War
• Smuggling game and treasure hunt for young visitors
• Walk to the remains of the vanished harbours
• Official information point of Toerisme Meetjesland

Permanent exhibitions

• Vissersdorp zonder haven – Exhibition on the history of the Boekhoute shrimp fishermen and the three harbours the village has had over time.
• Grote Vrouwen en de Groote Oorlog – In the attic, five women tell their story of life in Boekhoute during the German occupation in the First World War.

Operated by

Lokaal bestuur Assenede

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The visitor centre is freely accessible during opening hours. Guided tours require a reservation; the price is given on request.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children can do a treasure hunt and play the smuggling game: they write a secret message and try to smuggle it across the border. Educational packs are available for schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

Tourist information point with walking and cycling routes, tourist publications and tips on accommodation. Sports cards and CADOZA vouchers are only sold when a municipal employee is present.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit