Yper Museum

About the museum

The Yper Museum opened in 2018 in the eastern half of the Lakenhallen in Ypres, the largest civic Gothic building complex in Europe. The museum tells the story of Ypres and the Westhoek from the Middle Ages, when the town flourished thanks to the cloth industry, up to the present day. It shares the Lakenhallen with the In Flanders Fields Museum, but the two museums each have their own collection and their own ticket.

The route combines historical documents, paintings and archaeological finds with interactive media. Themes include the siege of Ypres, the plague and social care in the Middle Ages. An animated film tells the story of the Ypres fortifications and the design by Vauban. A full cabinet of medieval insignia shows how many small lead pins have been dug up in the town centre.

The museum also pays attention to three women artists from Ypres: the lace maker Clara Francisca van Zuytpeene Lamotte, the painter and pastel artist Louise De Hem and the photographer Léontine Permeke. Recent history is covered with objects such as a roller-coaster ladybird from the Bellewaerde amusement park and an overview of well-known people from Ypres. In 2019 the museum received the International Badges Award within the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

Highlights

• Cabinet of medieval insignia
• Animated film about the fortifications of Ypres (Cinema Vauban)
• Three women artists from Ypres in the spotlight
• Archaeological finds from the Ypres clay subsoil
• Roller-coaster ladybird from Bellewaerde
• Treasure hunt for children looking for the hidden kittens

Permanent exhibitions

• Insignekabinet – A cabinet full of medieval insignia: small lead pins with saints, satirical prints and status symbols excavated in the town centre of Ypres.
• Cinema Vauban – An animated film tells the story of the Ypres fortifications and the design by Vauban.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Stad Ieper

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of Ypres and holders of museumPASSmusées. Discounted rates are also available via Iedereen verdient Vakantie, UiTPAS, the Lerarenkaart (teacher card), ICOM and Riebedebie.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

As a wheelchair user, please report to the desk in advance: a member of staff will take you to the lift. The rooms have seating and there are adapted toilets. At the desk you can borrow a rollator or wheelchair (to be reserved in advance). All film fragments have subtitles and there are informative room texts. For blind and partially sighted visitors there is a multisensory guided tour for groups. The museum is a partner of the EU Disability Card.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

On arrival, children receive a cat-paw wristband (included in the ticket price). Children aged 4 to 7 use it to search for the nine hidden kittens; children aged 7 to 12 use it to activate the interactive screens and games. Activity booklets (Marjet en Rasjel, Roger) cost €0.50 at the desk. There is space for pushchairs and a family toilet with a changing corner. After your visit you can go on a city trail (Kattenjacht).

Getting there & parking

By car, take exit 4 (Ieper/Heuvelland/Zillebeke) from the A19; at the end of the exit turn left and, after about 3 km from the roundabout, follow the direction of Ypres town centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café

After your visit you can go to the Museumcafé. The museum also has an online shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit