"POPERINGE" Poperinge by Martinewezel

Poperinge Travel Guide: 21 reviews and 39 photos

Poperinge is situated in the utmost Southwestern corner of the "Westhoek", near the French-Belgian border in the sandy marl area.

Marked by the Great War

Poperinge

This place makes part of the "In Flanders Fields" route, 82 km long, which opens the region between Ieper and Poperinge, with numerous First World War sites and monuments.

As a tourist you just can't avoid the feeling that the Great War (1914- 1918) left on the "Westhoek".

My grandfather fought in this war, was wounded and survived. He was an artist and made sculptures out of piece of shrapnels during his stay in the trenches...
I was raised with stories about WWI and WWII, at school and at home. No wonder this part of history is shimmering...

Poperinge

During the First World War, Poperinge and Veurne were the only unoccupied towns.

Poperinge became the center of the British war effort and the town was like an oasis of peace for the British soldiers behind the labyrinth of trenches around Ieper.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Small and welcoming. Never crowded.
Cons:Nice town, Talbot house is a must, but that's it!
In a nutshell:Another town to visit during your Salient tour!

Last visit to Poperinge: Feb 2005
Intro Updated Feb 26, 2011
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Reviews (6)

Brewery Van Eecke Off The Beaten Path (1)

There are two breweries in Poperinge: Brewery Van Eecke and Brewery Nevejan. The first one can be visited and they... more travel advice

A hotel for everyone Hotels (1)

See also Talbot House This spacious mansion with historical interior can house 18 guests for the night. A number of... more travel advice

Death Cells in the Town Hall Things to Do (3)

Traumatised by the violence of the war, a number of British soldiers refused to return to the war afyter have spent... more travel advice

Talbot House: The House itself (Toc H) Things to Do (3)

Talbot house was a guest house where British soldiers could escape the war (see previous must see). It's still a... more travel advice

Favorites (1)
Public restrooms

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Comments (8)

Greggor58 Jul 18, 2009 at 8:01 AM Report Abuse

Interesting page Martine....I read about Poperinge before I visited the Ieper area this past Spring but didn't make time for a "detour" there.I hope you have some of your Grandfather's "trench art"!
Nemorino Mar 5, 2008 at 5:10 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the moving story of Talbot house, where British soldiers could escape the war for a little while. One of my grandfathers was also in WWI, but I never knew him because he died long before I was born.
mvtouring Mar 13, 2007 at 1:31 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting history. Nice tips ;-)
hindu1936 Feb 7, 2007 at 6:56 PM Report Abuse

Such a vital part of history. Thanks for sharing
hunterV Apr 5, 2005 at 11:51 AM Report Abuse

I see the wonderful architecture, so much history...And, of course, the famous Belgian breweries... Great to be there!
Helga67 Mar 15, 2005 at 10:17 AM Report Abuse

This is one of those parts of Belgium that I still need to discover. Good info, thanks
Ben-UK Mar 12, 2005 at 6:38 AM Report Abuse

Talbot House looks fascinating -- I'd like to see that one day -- nice page, thank you.
manuelEB Mar 5, 2005 at 7:56 AM Report Abuse

Iwas about to write a serios comment but the image of someone desesperately running towards the difficult to find rest room made me laugh...(-;