During my trip to our Flemish neighbors in Belgium, I had the opportunity to return to the “Venice of the North” as it is called (the funny thing is, that is also the nickname of Amsterdam… They are well-served with canal cities in the north, in any case). Very quickly, while wandering through Bruges, I understood why it is called that, and above all, I was struck by the city’s tourist appeal compared to the charm and tranquility it exudes.
The only dark spot in this beautiful picture is the welcome. Indeed, I cannot say that the inhabitants of Bruges are extremely welcoming to the French, and I think this certainly comes from the fact that they are Flemish and therefore in a rather tense situation with their French-speaking Walloon compatriots… So don’t hesitate to make them understand that you are French and not Walloon thanks to your fabulous French accent (and no, it is not necessarily the Belgians who have an accent; it depends on your point of view). Despite this, Bruges remains an ideal destination for a romantic weekend or a getaway with friends if you like northern architecture and cities with character.
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What to do in Bruges?
Ultimately, it is a city best discovered during sunny days, as it is pleasant to stroll through without any other goal than getting lost in its alleys. For this, I advise you to discover the magnificent little hidden courtyards of the alms-houses (a type of retirement home for the poor elderly built between the 15th and 18th centuries) scattered throughout the city; they are truly places of peace away from the tourist bustle that prevails in the rest of the city.
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Take a Free Tour in Bruges with Civitatis
Civitatis is a platform specializing in the online distribution of activities, excursions, and guided tours for major tourist destinations around the world. The great tip is that it organizes Free Tours (so free guided tours) in several major cities around the world, which have no fixed price, and at the end of the tour, each person is free to give the guide an amount in cash according to their level of satisfaction. With this free guided tour in French, you will walk through the charming medieval city center and the romantic canals of Bruges, discovering their fascinating history. One of the prettiest cities in Flanders!
Free tour in Bruges by Civitatis Duration: 2h Link to book your free tour
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Visit the De Halve Maan Brewery
For beer lovers (but not only), I recommend a visit to the last brewery still active in the city, the “De Halve Maan” brewery. Since Belgium is the country of beer, it is interesting to be able to discover the manufacturing stages of this national beverage, especially since breweries that can be visited in the country are not exactly legion.
Walplein 26, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
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Visit the Fry Museum
Another funny visit to do in Bruges: the Fry Museum, you can’t make this up! And don’t laugh, because you learn interesting things there, you see objects from another era, and you leave convinced that Belgian fries are the best!
Vlamingstraat 33, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
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If you also have your good addresses and tips for enjoying Bruges, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my articles on Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia) below:
⇒ All my articles on Belgium
⇒ All my articles on Flanders
GENERAL INFORMATION ON BELGIUM
⇒ Brussels the capital
⇒ Belgian gastronomy
⇒ Guest houses in Belgium
MY ARTICLES ON FLANDERS
⇒ Bruges
⇒ Ghent
⇒ Leuven
⇒ The Belgian Coast and Ostend
MY ARTICLES ON WALLONIA
⇒ Gaume Province
Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan Photos not royalty-free, photographer's permission required before any use
