Summary of Attractions in Waregem
As you may observe from the equine statue located in the primary market square, horses have significantly contributed to the heritage of this city in the Leie Valley.
Beginning in the 18th century, Waregem was a notable stop along the coaching route between Kortrijk and Ghent.
Subsequently, in the mid-19th century, the city emerged as the host for a renowned horserace, the Grote Steeple-Chase van Vlaanderen (Great Steeple Chase of Flanders), which relocated to a specially constructed racecourse in 1855. This venue, the Hippodroom van Waregem, remains one of the few operational racecourses in Belgium and is fully occupied every August for events during the Waregem Koerse Feesten, which also includes live music and activities for children.
Significant fighting during the First World War occurred in and around Waregem, commemorated by the Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial.
1. Park Baron Casier
The municipal park of Waregem is conveniently located a mere two minutes on foot from the Markt square.
This verdant space is a refined area on the grounds of a Neoclassical mansion.
Baron Casier took residence here in 1897, adding a southern wing, and his lineage continued to inhabit the estate until 1977 when it was acquired by the city.
Spanning eight hectares, visitors can stroll through groves of mature trees, fountains with ponds, and meticulously maintained lawns crisscrossed by winding paths.
The mansion currently houses a contemporary bar-bistro, providing refreshment after a summer walk.
2. S.V. Zulte Waregem
Waregem is home to a premier football team, which secured its place in the Belgian First Division A in 2005 and has maintained its status since.
S.V. Zulte Waregem has made notable progress in the last 15 years, frequently participating in the Europa League group stages.
Belgian football serves as a training ground for many top European players, with notable athletes such as Thorgan Hazard, Thomas Buffel, Nikica Jelavić, and Saido Berahino, the latter of whom joined the team in the summer of 2019. The team plays its home matches at the 12,414-capacity Regenboogstadion (Rainbow Stadium), situated near picturesque fishing ponds in a well-landscaped area of Waregem.
3. Hippodroom van Waregem
Enhancing Waregem’s stature is the racecourse established along the Gaverbeek stream in 1855. This stream runs in front of the grandstand and serves as a natural obstacle in the course design.
The primary highlight of the calendar is the Grote Steeple-Chase van Vlaanderen, spanning 4,600 meters with 25 obstacles, held on a Tuesday towards the end of August.
The event attracts a significant crowd and coincides with a week of festivities known as the Waregem Koerse Feesten, which commences the Sunday prior.
Additionally, a 1,106-meter flat track for trotting races is available at the Hippodroom van Waregem, scheduled from May to September.
4. HIPPO.WAR
In 2017, a visitor center was inaugurated on the southern edge of the racecourse, dedicated to the First World War.
Waregem houses the Flanders Field American Cemetery, and the dual exhibition at HIPPO.WAR partly recounts the involvement of the US Army in the later stages of the First World War around Waregem.
At this venue, visitors can explore photographs, video footage, audio recordings, uniforms, equipment, and poignant letters from the families of servicemen who are interred in the cemetery.
HIPPO.WAR also examines the crucial role horses played in the conflict, featuring an exhibit of original bridles, a reconstructed horse hospital, and an authentic skeleton of a war horse.
The exhibition elucidates the various essential roles horses undertook, from serving as mounted cavalry to facilitating supply lines.
5. Goed te Nieuwenhove
Your experience at this rural site situated southwest of Waregem encompasses the farms tied to the now-dismantled Castle of Nieuwenhove.
The first documented reference to an estate in this area dates back to 1403, and archaeological investigations have indicated Gallo-Roman settlement.
The castle was dismantled during the French Revolution, while the remaining architectural features in the courtyard date to the earlier 18th century.
You will find a residential building, a half-timbered barn, a red-brick dovecote, and a gatehouse.
There is a noticeable distance between the structures, a precautionary measure to curb the spread of fire.
‘T Gaverhopke
In 2015, this local, family-operated brewery relocated its operations to the courtyard of Goed te Nieuwenhove.
‘T Gaverhopke has been in operation since 1994 and crafts ten standard beers, including an abbey tripel, a double IPA, a cherry-infused kriek, and several blondes with varying strengths.
The flagship offering is Den 12, a robust dark beer with notes of chocolate and raisin.
The tasting area is open on weekends starting at 15:00 and also on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (11:00-18:00) from May through September.
There is a menu available for light meals and snacks, and younger patrons will appreciate the playground and bouncy castle in the courtyard.
7. Be-Part
Be-Part is a platform for contemporary art situated in southwest Flanders, with two locations; one in Kortrijk and the other in Waregem, just off the R35 (Westerlaan). This center primarily engages with visual art, while also delving into overlapping disciplines to showcase contemporary art in all its richness, introducing the public to emerging trends and discourses in the art realm.
As of early 2020, there was a recent exhibition titled “In the Hands of Puppets,” featuring the Brussels-based installation artists Sarah & Charles.
The Be-Part complex includes a studio for resident artists and offers a program of workshops primarily aimed at enabling children to discover art in a playful manner.
8. Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial
The only American World War I cemetery in Belgium is located in the southeast region of Waregem.
A poignant aspect of the cemetery is that the majority of its 368 burials (43 unknown) occurred during the final days of the War, between October 30 and November 11. This site is positioned within the battleground of Spitaals Bosschen, where the 91st Division engaged in action as part of the broader Ypres-Lys Campaign.
The cemetery is open for visitation year-round, featuring a monument designed by the French-born American architect Paul Philippe Cret (1876-1945). In 2017, a visitor center was inaugurated in the former quarters of the cemetery’s superintendent, providing insights into US involvement in Belgium during WWI and narrating the personal stories of some of the men interred here.
9. Roger Raveelmuseum
The painter and graphic artist Roger Raveel (1921-2013) was born 15 minutes away in the village of Machelen, where he returned and spent a significant portion of his life.
Raveel’s artistry often portrays everyday objects, frequently classifying him as a Pop Artist.
At his museum in Machelen, visitors can trace his artistic evolution from abstract to figurative expressions within a contemporary building conceived by Flemish architect Stéphane Beel.
More than 300 paintings, 2,500 drawings, and an extensive collection of sketches are displayed.
Additionally, explore Machelen to view Raveel’s three “columns of the unrestricted”, public artworks installed in 2011.
10. Gaverbeekroute
Cyclists from various regions will be delighted with the extensive network of designated paths in West Flanders, meticulously maintained and totaling nearly 3,180 kilometers.
Navigating this network is straightforward, utilizing the 1,045 numbered junctions known as “knooppunten.” Guides providing information on these junctions are available at the local tourist office in Waregem.
A designated cycling loop guides you through the border area between East and West Flanders, away from the network.
The scenic Gaverbeekroute begins at Park Baron Casier, leading to a 35-kilometer journey along the Leie Valley, subsequently veering east into the gentle elevations of the Flemish Ardennes before returning to Waregem through the forests of Oud-Moregem and Wortegem.
11. Stadionvijvers
The Regenboogstadion was constructed in 1957 adjacent to what was once a wetland adjacent to the Gaverbeek.
This land remained undeveloped until the 20th century, when a local physician created a pond on what was then a private estate.
In the interwar period, this space was opened to the townspeople, thus establishing Vaders Woud, the first public park in Waregem.
Following World War II, the city acquired the property and excavated ponds to create a recreational park that incorporated the football stadium.
This endeavor also led to the development of the long footbridge crossing the largest pond toward the stadium.
With abundant grassy areas, shaded trees, playground facilities, and several cafes for refreshment, this locale is an excellent setting for leisurely strolls, bike rides, or morning runs. On warm days, you may encounter anglers comfortably settled on the banks.
12. Beukenhof Vichte
Nearby in Vichte, you will find a charming park that is open to the public, surrounding a neo-Renaissance château constructed in 1876. This building was originally erected for the town’s mayor and remained in the family for a century before it was sold to Vichte in the 1970s.
Several auxiliary buildings are present on the grounds, including a gardener’s residence and a porter’s lodge, while the stables and storage areas are currently utilized by local youth organizations.
The château itself has functioned as a bistro since the 2000s, and the surrounding park, abundant with native plants, offers a refreshing space to enjoy a leisurely stroll, enhanced by a butterfly garden brimming with life and color during the summer months.
13. Uitkijktoren Kruishoutem
In Kruisem, a modest lookout tower has been recently enhanced with an orientation table.
This 30-meter structure, inaugurated in 1963, is crafted from repurposed concrete telegraph poles.
The site’s selection is deliberate, offering beautiful views across the Lower Leie Valley towards Zulte and Deinze, alongside vistas of the rolling hills of the Flemish Ardennes.
14. Brouwerij ‘t Verzet
Located off the N382 southeast of Waregem, this craft brewery was established by a group of friends in 2011, producing a blend of traditional and innovative beers, each embodying the essence of their West Flanders locale.
Brouwerij ‘t Verzet brews seven regular offerings, including the classic top-fermented Oud Bruin (6%), which is aged for six months in the bottle, and Moose Blues (7.5%), which incorporates Canadian maple syrup, as well as Golden Tricky (7.5%), made with Australian Ella hops for a nearly tropical taste.
The brewery also offers a variety of Oud Bruin fruit infusions, along with experimental “Bootleg Beers” available in limited editions.
Guided tours can be scheduled to learn about the brewing process while passing by the brew kettles and barrels, followed by a structured tasting session.
15. Dwars door Vlaanderen
Waregem serves as the finish line for a prestigious one-day semi-classic professional cycling race, commencing from Roeselare and covering a 180-kilometer course across Flanders.
This competition presents a formidable challenge; although the western portion of the route is flat, the latter half traverses the hilly Flemish Ardennes via cobbled roads.
The course undergoes an annual transformation, but consistently features prominent ascents such as the Taaienberg and Kruisberg, which are also highlighted in the Tour of Flanders a few days subsequently.
Established in 1945, the race was elevated to the UCI World Tour in 2017, further enhancing its visibility and status.
Dwars door Vlaanderen typically occurs in late March and is part of Flemish Cycling Week, which encompasses three significant races within the region.
