Stadsmuseum Oostende
Municipal museum in Huize Louise-Marie on the history of Ostend, from tourism and fishing to the harbour and shipping.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Stadsmuseum tells the history of Ostend through posters, documents, videos and objects. The roots of the museum lie in 1893, when the municipal council decided to set up a museum. The first local history museum soon had premises of its own; later the collection moved to, among other places, Fort Napoleon, the Koninklijke Gaanderijen and the Feest- en Cultuurpaleis. Since November 1954 the local history circle De Plate has been responsible for exhibiting, maintaining and opening up the collection.
After the Feest- en Cultuurpaleis closed in early 2000, the museum found a new home in an 18th-century building on the Langestraat. Under the name Oostends Historisch Museum De Plate it reopened on 9 February 2002. In 2012 it received a new layout and was transformed into the Stadsmuseum Oostende.
The building was erected between 1770 and 1780 and is known as Huize Louise-Marie, after the first Queen of the Belgians, who appears here as an iconic resident. She guides the visitor through the story of the house and the city. The rooms cover themes such as tourism and urban development, fishing, harbour activities and shipping. The Koninklijke Oostendse Heem- en Geschiedkundige Kring De Plate still has its base here and puts together the temporary exhibitions.
Highlights
- Huize Louise-Marie, an 18th-century house with the queen as hostess
- Permanent collection on tourism, urban development, fishing, the harbour and shipping
- Old posters, documents and videos about Ostend
- Authentic Visserscafé (fishermen's café), open on the first Sunday of the month
- Guided tour in four languages
Permanent exhibition
- Vaste collectie Stadsmuseum Oostende – Rooms on tourism and urban development, fishing, the harbour and shipping in Ostend, with Queen Louise-Marie as hostess.
- Operated by
- Stad Oostende
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Students, people aged 65 and over, Ostend residents, groups of 10 or more and people with disabilities (with a European Disability Card) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and young people under 19 enter free. |
| Seniors | €3.50From 65 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3.50On presentation of a valid European Disability Card. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50On presentation of a valid student card. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3.50 per personGroups of 10 or more; a guided tour costs an additional €70 per guide. |
| UiTPAS reduced rate | €1.20 |
| Guided tour for groups (about 60 minutes) | €70Price per guide, plus the admission ticket per participant; 10 to 20 people per guide. |
Free admission: Free on the first Sunday of every month for Ostend residents (including second-home owners).
Tickets are available online and at the museum ticket desk; buying online is recommended. Teachers (with a teacher card) and press (with a press card) enter free. The Museumpas is not valid. With the UiTPAS you collect a point on every visit.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Because of the building's historic value, only part of the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. Folding chairs are available on request. Carers and assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
During school holidays there are family workshops (LABO Gezin) and an escape room for families with children aged 8 and over. For classes there is an interactive discovery trail.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
The museum's authentic Visserscafé is open on the first Sunday of every month.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups of 10 or more book a guide from the Gidsenkring Lange Nelle (Dutch, French, German or English) through the guides' circle and notify the museum of their visit. For classes there is the educational programme ‘Verdwalen in verhalen’ (getting lost in stories), daily except Tuesdays. |
