Musée de la Douane et des Frontières

About the museum

Hestrud is the last village of the Avesnois before Belgium. Until 1989, customs played an important role in village life. Since 1996, a museum in the former border post has recounted this chapter of local life.

Before the borders opened in 1995, customs officers checked crossings to stop smugglers from illegally bringing in goods such as coffee or tobacco. The museum presents, in display cases, objects related to customs life, regulations and controls, as well as local smuggling and the tricks of smugglers. Old photographs, documents and uniforms from the 1850s complete the picture.

The circuit also includes a reconstruction of a 1950s customs office and an exhibition on the memory of the border and the incorporation of part of Hainaut into France. The museum is associated with a café-brasserie, part of the Café Rando Nord network, serving regional cuisine.

Highlights

• Reconstruction of a 1950s customs office
• Customs officers' uniforms from the 1850s, photographs and documents
• History of smuggling and the tricks of smugglers
• Exhibition on the memory of the border and the incorporation of part of Hainaut into France
• Café-brasserie on site

Permanent exhibition

• Bureau de douane des années 1950 et mémoire de la frontière – Reconstruction of a customs post, display cases on the life of customs officers, smuggling and smugglers, and an exhibition on the incorporation of part of Hainaut into France.

Founded

1996

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of Hestrud.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Parking nearby. The “Halte à la douane” hiking trail starts from the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Museum café-brasserie (Café Rando Nord) serving regional cuisine. Toilets on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.