Castle Of Loppem & Damme

OVERVIEW

Explore the medieval village of Damme on your own and tour stately Loppem Castle, a former private residence furnished with 19th-century period pieces that beautifully complement its neo-Gothic design. You will travel through some of the most bucolic countryside in West Flanders to reach Damme, which has a surprising number of historical attractions despite its diminuitive size. Although you will be free to wander about wherever you please, the 13th-century Church of Our Lady and the 15th-century town hall are well worth considering. This area is also renowned for its gourmet chocolates, which you will have the opportunity to purchase at a confectionery. The high cocoa content in Belgium chocolates makes them particularly rich. The wealth of Loppem Castle is reflected in its extraordinary art as the owners were passionate collectors. You can expect to see Flemish paintings, Chinese porcelain, hunting artifacts and perhaps most impressive a 15th-century stained-glass window featuring a Pietà.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend free time in the small medieval village of Damme however you please.
• Browse a confectionery that carries every sort of Belgium chocolate imaginable.
• Tour a 19th-century castle handsomely decorated with fine art and period furnishings.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.