Hotel Damier | Stay overnight in a luxury boutique hotel between Ghent and Lille | incl. 3-course dinner

Explore the charming cities of Ghent and Lille

During your stay at Hotel Damier in attractive Kortrijk, you will have the unique opportunity to explore two of Europe's most charming cities: Ghent and Lille. Both cities are easy to reach and offer a rich mix of culture, history and gastronomy, making them perfect destinations for day trips. Start your adventure in Ghent, a city known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, vibrant art scene and cosy cafés along the canals. Be sure not to miss the iconic Saint Bavo Cathedral, home to the famous painting "The Mystic Lamb". Stroll through the picturesque streets, discover hidden boutiques and sample local specialities in one of the many restaurants. Next is Lille, just across the border in France, a city that surprises with its beautiful old town (Vieux Lille), impressive museums such as the Palais des Beaux-Arts and lively markets. Lille is also known for its excellent cuisine and shopping opportunities, from luxury boutiques to the big French department stores.

La Piscine museum

For a unique cultural experience during your visit to the Hauts-de-France region, don't miss a visit to La Piscine Museum in Roubaix. This museum, officially known as Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent, is housed in a former Art Deco swimming pool, providing an extraordinary setting for its artworks and exhibitions. The museum is known for its impressive collection of applied arts, textiles and fine arts, with the unique use of light and space accentuating the artistic works in a special way. Start your visit by admiring the beautiful pool hall, where water still takes centre stage and creates a serene atmosphere. After your museum visit, take the time to explore the museum garden or enjoy a cup of coffee in the museum café, which also offers stunning views of the building's architecture.

The Beguinage

Since 1998, the Beguinage has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Beguinage dates back to the 13th century. You can stroll along the small houses and courtyard or visit the St. Matthew's Chapel. Saint Anne's Hall houses the new experience center. With a mix of authentic heritage and modern media techniques, the phenomenon of "beguinages" is reinterpreted. The Artillery Tower from the 14th century is one of the few remnants of the medieval outer castle and was originally used as a drinking water tower. The Church of Our Lady was built in the 13th century and has a long building history. In 1370, Count Louis of Male built the Count's Chapel as a mausoleum. Furthermore, you can admire Antoon Van Dijck's Raising of the Cross in the church. St. Martin's Church dates back to the 12th century and has been rebuilt and remodeled over the centuries. Inside, you will find valuable works of art and the church tower houses the city's first full 19th century carillon.

Kortrijk

Kortrijk is the second largest city in the Belgian province of West Flanders after Bruges. It is a historic city with a lot of cultural heritage. Despite the many devastations caused by the wars, the historic center is quite well preserved. Boat trips on the Lys are organized every summer, and the parks and the renewed hiking and biking promenades along the Lys banks also offer opportunities. History, catering establishments, museums, as well as traffic-free shopping streets and malls attract a lot of people to this city.