Locals have carefully preserved reminders of the war
VISITFLANDERS says those interested in learning about a particular turbulent period in European history will appreciate the part of Belgium it promotes, with Flanders having a huge number of sites providing insights into World War I.
In fact, Marco Frank of VISITFLANDERS’ North American office says his jurisdiction played a pivotal role in the lengthy conflict.
“Flanders was at the very heart of the First World War,” Frank says. “Some of the war’s most decisive and devastating battles were fought here, including Ypres and Passchendaele. The region became a symbol of sacrifice, destruction, and endurance. Its battlefields and cemeteries are now lasting reminders of the global scale of the conflict and the profound impact it had on soldiers, civilians, and communities.
“Reminders of the war are woven into the landscape of Flanders,” Frank continues. “From preserved trenches and craters to military cemeteries and memorials, the traces are everywhere. Even in daily life – churchyards, village squares, and fields – you will encounter monuments and plaques that keep the memory alive.”
Flanders has developed well-marked remembrance trails and routes that connect the major WWI sites, which visitors can explore by car, bicycle, or even on foot. The routes link iconic places – such as the Menin Gate in Ypres, Tyne Cot Cemetery in Zonnebeke, and the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood Museum, found next to Hill 62, a Canadian war memorial – offering a structured way to understand the history while also experiencing the region’s landscapes.
Photos ©: Pieter De Kersgieter
Frank says interest in the First World War remains very strong in Canada, with this country having played a significant role in battles like Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele.
“For many Canadians, Flanders holds a special place in collective memory – it’s where young soldiers helped shape Canada’s identity on the world stage. Each year, Canadian visitors come to Flanders to pay tribute to those who fought and to better understand the sacrifices that shaped their nation’s history.”
He adds that commemoration of the conflict is “deeply rooted in local communities. The people of Flanders see it as both a duty and a responsibility to remember the suffering of the war and to honor the sacrifices made by so many. This is perhaps most powerfully expressed in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, which has been performed every evening since 1928 to honor the fallen.”
Flanders is home to several specialized tour companies and guides offering WWI-focused experiences in Flanders. They range from half-day or full-day battlefield tours to multi-day itineraries tailored to specific national perspectives, such as Canadian, British, Australian, or New Zealand stories. Visitors can choose experiences that are general overviews or highly personalized, even tracing the footsteps of family members who served.
Photos ©: Jan D’Hondt Ateljé
Meanwhile, Frank reports that a side effect of the war was it affecting a product closely associated with Belgium.
“WWI even had a direct impact on Belgium beers and their quality, the way we have come to appreciate them today,” he says. “The war devastated Belgian brewing – equipment was stripped for the war effort, grain was scarce, and what beer remained was weak and poor in quality. After the war, brewers responded by making stronger, fuller-flavored beers to restore pride and distinguish themselves from the ‘bad beer’ of wartime.’ Trappist monasteries, rebuilding in the 1920s and 1930s, embraced this trend, creating the powerful, complex ales that would become world famous. That legacy lives on today: Belgium is celebrated not for blandness, but for bold, characterful beers that grew out of resilience and a determination to turn hardship into heritage. In 2026 we will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Belgium Beer Culture being recognized as an intangible heritage of humanities.”
