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Ever been to Waregem?

I will be visiting Waregem in Flanders for a few days in September. I'm interested in the town for family reasons. The guidebooks give it short shrift. It has a big sports complex, and it is near the only American World War I cemetery in Belgium. It also has a horse race track and a new museum related to the cemetery. It also has a pretty active Facebook presence.

So I've done my research. However, there is always more to learn. If you've been there and know something interesting about this town, I'd like to read about it.

Posted by
1954 posts

Have driven a few times along the horse race track many years ago, but in general Waregem has not directly a reputation as a tourist destination, so never had a closer look there. Hopefully the local TI can tell you more. Local football club SV Zulte-Waregem plays for many years at the highest level in Belgium, maybe worth visiting a football game.

You can use Waregem as a base for daytrips to the well-known places like Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and even Lille in France. Nearby Oudenaerde has a lovely main square and a bicycle race museum and I think former world champion Freddy Martens still works there as a host. Tournai east of Lille, but still in Belgium is worth considering a visit too. http://crvv.be/exhibitions/?lang=en

Closer to Ghent, the renaissance castle of Ooidonk is really lovely, but usually only open for a visit on Sundays till 15 September, the garden every day of the week except Monday and Tuesday morning. Have no idea how to reach the place easily by public transport. http://ooidonk.be/en/visit

Kruishoutem a few km east of Waregem is the home of Peter Goossens, one of Belgiums most reknown chefs de cuisine. In case budget is not a problem…..but book well in advance..

Posted by
504 posts

Thanks for that response. It confirms what I thought. We will be visiting Ghent on this trip as well and may see some of what you suggested when we are staying there.