Discover Lombardsijde: Dunes, Nature and History

Lombardsijde combines a long village history with protected dune landscapes, nature reserves and trails for varied days of exploration. Those wishing to plan a trip involving culture, landscapes and outdoor activities will find various starting points here for their own itinerary. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Lombardsijde can serve as accommodation for a stay in which historic sites and nature experiences have an equal place.

History between the village centre and former military sites

The history of the village dates back to the Middle Ages: Lombardsijde was first mentioned as an independent parish in 1248 under the name “Lombardie”. The village received town privileges in the mid-13th century. Later periods are also connected with the surrounding area. The Battle of Nieuwpoort took place on 2 July 1600 in the area of the former military site north of Lombardsijde’s village centre.

Another prominent link to more recent history is the Bamburg field battery. It was built by the Germans in 1942 to protect the port of Nieuwpoort and is a protected monument. In October 2020, a viewing platform was built on a bunker at the Bamburg bunker site. It can be reached from the footpath along Bamburgstraat in Middelkerke and complements the historic traces with a vantage point.

The parish church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Visitatie is also part of the area’s cultural heritage. It was rebuilt in 1922–1923 in the Neo-Romanesque style after the former church was destroyed on 20 October 1914. The churchyard contains the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw der Zeven Weeën ambulatory, with fourteen painted scenes in brick chapels. Lombardsijde was also known as a pilgrimage site dedicated to Our Lady of Lombardsijde, the patron saint of the Iceland fishermen. These historical connections also make the village interesting for travellers who wish to link their stay with the region’s culture of remembrance.

Protected dunes and distinctive plant life

The Sint-Laureins beach in Lombardsijde and Westende-Bad has been protected as a landscape since 1 July 1982. Its protected status is based on the well-preserved geological and geomorphological features of the dunes and their rare dune vegetation. The protected area extends from the right bank of the IJzer harbour entrance at Nieuwpoort to the built-up area of Westende-Bad. In Lombardsijde, it includes the beach, the IJzermonding nature reserve and the Sint-Laureins Dunes.

The Schuddebeurze project area also shapes the landscape. It lies largely between the village centres of Lombardsijde and Westende and the Plassendale–Nieuwpoort Canal, and includes the Schuddebeurze nature reserve, among other areas. The De Schuddebeurze nature reserve, managed by Natuurpunt, has existed since 1993, now covers more than 50 hectares and is managed in a way that preserves and improves its sensitive natural values. The old dunes have a rather acidic environment because of the former lime deposits that have sunk deeply. Heather, gorse and sand forget-me-not grow there, among other plants; this vegetation occurs in only about three locations along the Flemish coast.

Choose accommodation to suit your own excursions

When planning your trip, you can alternate between nature and cultural experiences. A low-traffic and often car-free cycle and walking path runs from Lombardsijde via Westende and Middelkerke to Oostende (Mariakerke). Those who enjoy incorporating longer routes into their daily plans can take this route into account. Along the edge of the Schuddebeurze nature reserve, a footpath runs between Schuddebeurzeweg and Langestraat, with an information board about the First World War, which took place here.

Information, maps and guides for signposted walking and cycling routes along beaches, dunes, polders, waterways and nature reserves are available at the reception of De Lombarde and from the Middelkerke tourist office. This allows you to choose different focuses for your days once you are there. When searching for accommodation for additional destinations, you can also include Slijpe, Schore, Westende-Bad and Westende in your research.

For the broader travel overview: Middelkerke.