Emile Verhaeren Museum

About the museum

The Emile Verhaeren Museum in Sint-Amands is a literary museum devoted entirely to the French-language poet and art critic Emile Verhaeren (1855–1916), who was born in this village on the Scheldt. The museum was founded in 1955 by his second cousin René Gevers in the Veerhuis on the Kaai. In the 1960s Gevers withdrew his collection, after which the Veerhuis was managed by the tourist service. In 1982 the Antwerp provincial authority became the owner of the building and the collection, and the museum was given the name Provinciaal Museum Emile Verhaeren.

Since 1995 the Emile Verhaeren Genootschap vzw has been responsible for the management, with support from the province, the municipality and private partners. In 1997 the museum moved to the first floor of the renovated Dorpshuis De Leeuw on the Emile Verhaerenstraat, a building that was once part of the poet's birthplace. For the 150th anniversary of his birth in 2005 the museum was completely re-presented with a contemporary design.

The collection consists of seven core collections: personal objects, literature with first editions, translations and bibliophile editions, manuscripts, letters, visual arts (including portraits of Verhaeren and work by his wife, the artist Marthe Massin) and photography, supplemented by music inspired by his poetry. The museum works with schools and organises guided day trips, walks and bike tours in the footsteps of the poet.

Highlights

• Manuscripts, letters and first editions by Emile Verhaeren
• Portraits of the poet and work by his wife Marthe Massin
• Artworks by, among others, Ensor, Khnopff and Zadkine
• Contemporary 2005 interior with striking furniture
• Guided walks and bike tours in the footsteps of Verhaeren

Permanent exhibition

• Vaste opstelling over Emile Verhaeren – The permanent display shows the life and work of the poet through manuscripts, letters, books, photographs, personal objects and artworks, in a contemporary interior from 2005.

Founded

1955

Operated by

Emile Verhaeren Genootschap vzw

Director

Dr. Rik Hemmerijckx (conservator)

Admission & discounts

The website does not list fixed admission prices for the museum itself. For the temporary exhibition by Ai Weiwei (20 September to 13 December 2026) separate rates apply: €10 for individual visitors, €8 for people aged 65 and over, residents of Puurs-Sint-Amands and groups of 10 or more people. Free for friends of the museum, under 18s, holders of the teacher card, ICOM members and wheelchair users. Reservation is not required but is advisable at weekends and for groups. Teachers enter free.

Accessibility

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

According to the website, the museum is easily accessible for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For primary school classes there is a discovery booklet about Verhaeren, his poems and his life.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Emile Verhaerenstraat 71 in Sint-Amands, next to the poet's birthplace.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The building (Dorpshuis De Leeuw) has a cafeteria where school classes can have lunch. For a meal the museum refers visitors to restaurants nearby (Amandus, Veerman, Lara Louise, Rollier).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit