Westfront Nieuwpoort

About the museum

At the end of October 1914 the Belgians were in danger of losing the Battle of the Yser. The army leadership under King Albert I decided to flood the polders. Karel Cogge, supervisor of the Noordwatering van Veurne, and the skipper Hendrik Geeraert opened the sluices of De Ganzepoot, after which the water flooded the hinterland and the enemy had to withdraw.

For four years the flooding had to be maintained: filling sandbags, regulating the water level, laying footbridges and, in winter, breaking up the ice. In this way the front remained stable until the final offensive of 1918.

Westfront Nieuwpoort tells this story, together with that of the destruction of the town, under the King Albert I Monument at the De Ganzepoot sluice complex. The monument was built in 1938 to a design by Julien de Ridder. The visitor centre shows a scale model, authentic uniforms and objects, interactive modules, personal stories and a 180° projection of the IJzer panorama. A lift takes you up to the panorama at the top of the monument.

Highlights

• Scale model and original objects about Nieuwpoort before, during and after the First World War
• Audio guide as a podcast with three characters (Ellie, Juul and Rosa) and a playful children’s guide (Toeba)
• 180° projection of the IJzer panorama
• Panoramic view from the King Albert I Monument (circuit temporarily closed from January until the Easter holidays of 2027)
• Authentic uniforms and artefacts

Permanent exhibition

• Permanente tentoonstelling Westfront Nieuwpoort – A scale model, authentic uniforms and objects, images and a podcast with characters tell the story of Nieuwpoort before, during and after the First World War.

Admission & discounts

The all-in ticket includes Westfront, the audio guide and the panoramic view from the monument. Residents of Nieuwpoort enter free on presentation of their identity card; admission is also free with a museum pass, guide card, ICOM card or press card. Members of the Gezinsbond receive a 20% discount. For groups and schools, one supervisor per 15 people is admitted free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building is step-free. There is a step-free entrance both at the front and at the back, although the rear entrance is intended only for visitors with reduced mobility. At the desk, wheelchair users are told about the best route and how to use the lift. There are seats and a wheelchair-accessible toilet with a grab rail. Five reserved parking spaces are on the Kaai car park near the Langebrug, and there is one parking space at the back of the building; anyone parking there must call (058 23 07 33, during opening hours only) to be admitted via the staff entrance. The site has been assessed using the Toegankelijk Vlaanderen method. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

For young visitors there is Toeba, a playful guide with which children get to know the exhibition at their own pace, and there are interactive play elements. Children up to and including 6 enter free; there is also a family ticket.

Getting there & parking

By car, take exit 3 Nieuwpoort from the E40 and follow the direction Nieuwpoort-Stad and then Sluizen. Nearby are the British Nieuport Memorial to the Missing, the memorial column for the French 81st D.I.T. and the IJzer memorial by Pieter Braecke.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit