KOEKELARE AND ITS UNIQUE BREWERY SITE

A guide takes you on a tour through the monumental brewery, which originally dates from the 1790s and was fully restored by the town. In September 1993, the council received the award VLAAMS MONUMENT or FLEMISH MONUMENT 1993 for this successful renovation.

With respect for the past the former brewery-malthouse Christiaen, at the heart of the town, was transformed from an industrial building into cultural heritage: the former malt attic is now the Käthe Kollwitz Museum, which tells the story of how the German artist dealt with the loss of her son Peter at the front of World War I.

The outbuildings of the brewery (horse stables, hop basement & storage area) are today home to the Frenchmen Museum (or 'beet men', 'bietenmannen') and the furnace room is transformed into Yves Rhayé room, a tribute to the sculptor and painter. Furthermore, you can also find several pieces of art, for instance by the flemish artist Willem Vermandere.

We strongly recommend to watch the playful documentary Les Godverdommes sont là, referencing the nickname of the Flemish seasonal workers in France, makes you imagine yourself in the world of the Fransmans and can on demand also be integrated in the group visit. The documentary is 50 minutes long.