The best city hikes and walks in Dune Du Perroquet

Starting point of our bike tour along the Belgian coast...

This group of sculptures by De Loose illustrates the timeless, universal qualities of humanity and emphasizes the importance of the group. Source: strandverblijf&wandelingen-de-panne

Construction of the Neo-Romanesque Church of Our Lady began in the Dumont district in 1930-1932 on a vacant lot west of Zeelaan. The crypt of Our Lady of Fatima is located in the church's basement. Six times a year, a pilgrimage to the Church of Our Lady takes place in memory of Fatima. Source: https://www.depanne.be/en/onze-lieve-vrouwekerk

The spider often has negative connotations: it's a dirty little creature, it can be dangerous, etc. But Monique Mol uses the spider as a symbol of (feminine) creative power: the spider weaves a web of connection and solidarity. Source: https://www.strandverblijf.be/nl/wandelingen/beeldenroute-de-panne

In contrast to the picturesque center of the neighborhood, the dune relief was largely excavated for the construction of the sea wall. At the western end, the "white mountain" (the name refers to a dune) was preserved, on which eight eclectic villas were built around 1900, largely designed by Albert and Alexis Dumont. Various solutions were devised for the narrow houses to maximize natural light. This group of houses is the largest preserved complex of villas with a sea view on our coast. Villa Anita (Geitenweg 5) has a brick facade with a cornice, plastered and painted. The facade consists of a semicircular bay window crowned by a central dormer window, with an adjoining balcony with a wooden balustrade, under a cantilevered gable roof and resting on wooden columns. Corner villa Coup de Vent (Geitenweg 9) is the most impressive. The facade is an interesting blend of cottage style (the use of wood) with neoclassical elements (a basket-arched entrance portal with a keystone and a cartouche on the parapet). But the most striking feature is undoubtedly the openwork, rounded corner tower with a spire, which serves as a mini-belvedere. Source: Walking Guide Heritage Walk De Panne

The original section was built in 1904 for Dr. Ver Eecke. Perhaps shortly before the First World War, the villa was expanded for the first time, adding the western section (left). This resulted in the loss of the original side facade with its balcony, which likely offered a sea view. During later renovations, a small tower was built on the southwest corner in its place. The tower at the top offered two beautiful views: one due west, overlooking Dunkirk, and the second due north, overlooking the residential area now known as Dumontwijk. The use of identical yellow brick makes the various extensions virtually indistinguishable. In 1975, Karl and Cecile Vieren-Depuydt purchased the left-hand section of the villa, which was slated for restoration, and renamed this half "Villa Torenhof" [6]. The entire roof, including that of the tower, was then replaced and later insulated. They tastefully transformed the interior into a comfortable, modern home. Source: https://dumontwijk.wordpress.com/2019/02/01/doktersweg-en-albert-dumont/

In contrast to the picturesque center of the neighborhood, the dune relief was largely excavated for the construction of the sea wall. At the western end, the "white mountain" (the name refers to a dune) was preserved, on which eight eclectic villas were built around 1900, largely designed by Albert and Alexis Dumont. Various solutions were devised for the narrow houses to maximize natural light. This group of houses is the largest preserved complex of villas with a sea view on our coast. Villa Anita (Geitenweg 5) has a brick facade with a cornice, plastered and painted. The facade consists of a semicircular bay window crowned by a central dormer window, with an adjoining balcony with a wooden balustrade, under a cantilevered gable roof and resting on wooden columns. Corner villa Coup de Vent (Geitenweg 9) is the most impressive. The facade is an interesting blend of cottage style (the use of wood) with neoclassical elements (a basket-arched entrance portal with a keystone and a cartouche on the parapet). But the most striking feature is undoubtedly the openwork, rounded corner tower topped with a spire, which serves as a mini-belvedere. Source: Walking Guide Heritage Walk De Panne

This semi-detached cottage-style house, designed by architect Georges Hobé, dates from around 1900. The entrance to villa Les Eglantines (French for honey briar) is shared with that of villa Les Argousiers (French for sea buckthorn) and is situated beneath a projecting gable roof of slate. The bricks are painted, and the windows are strongly divided. The pseudo-half-timbering is reminiscent of Normandy architecture. However, on our coast, we rarely encounter true half-timbering; the beam structure is not made of wood and is not part of the load-bearing elements of the facade. What we see is imitation or pseudo-half-timbering, a stucco grid with a thin wooden cladding that is, as it were, glued to the facade. Therefore, we cannot speak of a structural function. Another typical feature of the Belle Époque period found in the facade of the semi-detached house is the separate cellar entrance for the staff. It reflects the "upstairs, downstairs" principle and allows the staff to work quietly yet efficiently. The basement houses the kitchen, laundry room, ironing room, and storage and pantry spaces, among other things. The "monte-plats," a small elevator, brings prepared dishes close to the dining room, where a servant can serve them quickly and discreetly. Source: Walking Guide Heritage Walk De Panne