Atlantikwall Raversyde

About the museum

The Raversijde provincial estate near Ostend has a long history. In 1902 King Leopold II bought the core of the present estate; later it was extended by Albert I and Prince Charles. In 1906 the park with its pond was laid out. After the Second World War Prince Charles took up residence on the estate, which he sold to the Belgian State in 1981. From the 1980s the Province of West Flanders greatly expanded the area.

In the dune belt the Germans built Batterij Aachen during the First World War, and during the Second World War the Atlantikwall was extended. Today Atlantikwall Raversyde is one of the best-preserved stretches of this German defensive line, with more than sixty bunkers, open and underground passages, observation posts and gun emplacements. Batterij Aachen has been thoroughly restored; Batterij Saltzwedel-neu is considered a textbook example of the Atlantic Wall. Both batteries are protected as monuments.

The medieval history of the site can also be discovered. The fishing village of Walraversyde partly disappeared under the sand in 1394 after a severe storm, and it is one of the most important archaeological sites in Flanders. The site has been systematically studied since 1992 and has been open to the public since 2000. On the estate stand four rebuilt medieval fishermen’s houses, and a new permanent exhibition, Walraversyde ANNO 1465, shows the finds and daily life of that time.

Around the museum lies a nature area with walking and cycling paths, a play meadow and a dog meadow, which was fully redeveloped in 2014.

Highlights

• Batterij Aachen, a unique bunker complex from the First World War in the dunes
• Batterij Saltzwedel-neu, a textbook example of the Atlantic Wall from the Second World War
• More than sixty bunkers with open and underground passages and gun emplacements
• Walraversyde ANNO 1465 exhibition on the medieval fishing village, with four rebuilt fishermen’s houses
• Het Groen Geruite huis by the artist Lily Van der Stokker
• Free-access nature park with walking paths and play areas

Permanent exhibitions

• Batterij Aachen (Eerste Wereldoorlog) – A unique bunker complex in the dunes on coastal defence and daily life in the occupied coastal zone, with animations, scale models and a 3D reconstruction.
• Batterij Saltzwedel-neu (Tweede Wereldoorlog) – A bunker battery with underground passages and gun emplacements, a textbook example of the Atlantic Wall.
• Walraversyde ANNO 1465 – A permanent exhibition on the medieval fishing village, with finds such as a coin hoard, a 3D video and four rebuilt fishermen’s houses outside.

Operated by

Provincie West-Vlaanderen

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought at the entrance or online at the same rate. The park and the Walraversyde ANNO 1465 exhibition are freely accessible. Free admission with the Museumpas (to be arranged on site, not bookable online; you can also buy or renew a Museumpas there), ICOM card, Riebedebie passport, UiTPAS or Paspartoe with 15 points when buying an adult ticket, guide card, official press card and card of the Social Service of the Province of West Flanders.

Accessibility

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

Batterij Aachen (WWI) is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchair users with assistance, but the route has slopes of between 8% and 18%. A loan wheelchair is available at reception. Batterij Saltzwedel-neu (WWII) is not accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs because of its many stairs. The Walraversyde ANNO 1465 exhibition is wheelchair-accessible with a lift in the building; the new paths around the medieval houses are not yet fully suitable for wheels. Along the path at Batterij Aachen there are tactile scale models, and the exhibition has eight tactile elements and an audio description. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are reserved in the visitors’ car park; they can also park in the service car park at Duinenstraat 149. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Atlantikwall Raversyde received the blue spot of the Museumpas in summer 2024: the museum is approved by and for children. The spy game Operatie Enigma and the family treasure hunt Schatten van Vlieg (for families with children from 6 years) are included in the ticket. In the free nature park you will find a playground, the Testerep play forest and the family quest Op Tijdreis. Batterij Aachen is accessible with a pushchair, but Batterij Saltzwedel-neu is not; a free baby carrier is available at the counter. The accessible toilet has a baby-changing table.

Getting there & parking

You reach the estate on foot or by bicycle via the Duinenstraat, a car-free cycle and walking route behind the dune belt that runs past the entrance. Bicycle racks are opposite the entrance to Atlantikwall Raversyde and at the De Walrave snack bar.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Bistro Raversyde on the provincial estate is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00 (in July and August until 19:00); closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The kitchen is open continuously from 11:30. At the entrance there is a museum shop, which can be visited without a ticket. There are free lockers that you close with a €1 coin, which you get back.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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