Musée de la vie frontalière de Godewaersvelde

About the museum

The museum is in Godewaersvelde, a Flemish village on the Belgian border. It occupies the former presbytery and gathers objects that tell the story of life on both sides of the border: some residents were smugglers, others customs officers, but all of them lived in Flanders.

The route begins with the history of the border and anecdotes from everyday life. On the upper floor under the attic, old signs and the counter of an estaminet (a Flemish café) evoke the popular traditions of the Westhoek: vertical archery, Flemish games, pigeon racing, carnival and giants, including Henri le Douanier, the museum’s giant.

On the first floor you discover the tools smugglers used to make tobacco rolls and cigarettes, followed by the customs officers’ equipment: probes, scales, toises (old measuring rods) and measuring devices. The following rooms show the smugglers’ tricks and organized smuggling, right up to customs’ current missions against counterfeiting or for health controls. The museum also hosts talks, concerts and temporary exhibitions. It is part of the Muzéa network of museums in Flanders.

Highlights

• Tools smugglers used to make tobacco rolls and cigarettes
• Customs officers’ probes, scales and measuring instruments
• Vehicles and hiding places of organized smuggling
• Henri le Douanier, the museum’s giant
• Estaminet counter and popular traditions of the Westhoek

Permanent exhibition

• La vie frontalière : douaniers et fraudeurs – A two-level route covering the history of the Franco-Belgian border, the tools of smuggling and customs control, and the popular traditions of Flanders.

Operated by

Commune de Godewaersvelde

Admission & discounts

Free for residents of Godewaersvelde. Card payment is not accepted (according to the Muzéa network).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The Muzéa network reports access for visitors with reduced mobility; the museum spans two levels.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop (according to the Muzéa network).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit