Summary
Located in the northeastern part of Belgium, Bree is a town situated in the Kempen, a picturesque area characterized by heaths, wetlands, and agricultural land.
For centuries, agriculture has been the foundation of Bree’s economy, and a significant market sprawls around the city center every Friday.
Bree’s walkable historic core has retained its Medieval street layout. Although the original gates, ramparts, and moat have been removed, there are pavement markings indicating their previous locations.
Concentrated around the central Vrijthof square are all of Bree’s key sights and attractions, making it an ideal locale to spend a leisurely hour or two enjoying a cold beverage during the summer.
1. Sint-Michielskerk
This prominent church in Bree, constructed from characteristic Limburg marl, is dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Michael. Its architecture embodies a blend of Mosan Gothic and neo-Gothic styles.
Notably, remnants of the first Romanesque church built on this site in the 11th century can still be found, particularly in the tower, despite multiple renovations.
The choir and nave date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, respectively, with significant expansions occurring in the early 1900s, resulting in the prevailing neo-Gothic appearance seen today.
Inside, visitors can admire an array of Gothic and Renaissance statues, with a standout piece being the life-sized representation of the Burial by Early Netherlandish sculptor Jan van Steffeswert (1460-1531). Other notable works include the Pietà from 1380, a Calvary group from 1525, and a Mary with Child from 1530.
The holy water font features impressive stone carvings depicting four faces crafted from blue-black limestone in the early 16th century.
2. Oud Stadhuis
The elegant building located south of the central Vrijthof square served as Bree’s original town hall.
Currently, it accommodates a branch of Oxfam and the city’s tourist office on the ground floor, while a museum on the upper level showcases a diverse range of historical artifacts from Bree’s past.
Constructed between 1587 and 1591, the Oud Stadhuis provided a meeting place for the city council and aldermen, stored equipment for the city guard and militia guilds (Schutterij), and served as a marketplace.
The facade received a Louis XV style remodeling in the mid-18th century, resulting in a stately Rococo pediment illustrating St. Michael engaging with the dragon, adorned with the coats of arms of Bree, the Emperor of Austria, and Johann Theodor of Bavaria (1703-1763), then Prince Bishop of Liège.
Additionally, Bree’s carillon was installed at the Oud Stadhuis in 1981, chiming every 15 minutes.
3. Sint-Michielscollege (Stadhuis)
Located on the central Vrijthof square, Bree’s city hall resides in a former Augustinian monastery established in 1659. The main structure reflects Mosan Renaissance architecture, with Baroque cloisters added in the early 18th century, alongside a Baroque chapel from approximately 1718. From the 1990s onwards, the complex, which previously operated as a school, underwent thoughtful renovations to facilitate Bree’s municipal offices.
Visitors are welcome to explore, and a highlight is the council chamber on the second floor, named after Bree native Kim Clijsters, distinguished by its impressive timber roof structure.
The symmetrical French Renaissance-style garden behind the building is also notable.
A sculpture depicting two men opposed to one another, with their heads separated by a Medieval Bree foot measuring 28.5 cm, graces this garden area.
4. Vrijthof
Bree’s charming central square is bordered to the north by the distinguished city hall.
The term Vrijthof originates from a former walled cemetery that once occupied part of this area.
Since 1532, a well was located on this site, which was superseded by a water pump in the 18th century.
Even though both have been removed, their legacy endures through a whimsical fountain featuring low jets that delight children during summer days and is illuminated at night.
Along the east side of the square lies a selection of brasseries and cafes, and while Vrijthof may not be expansive, it serves as a venue for events throughout the year.
One noteworthy occasion for visitors is the SMA(A)K food truck festival held at the end of May.
5. Bocholter Brouwerijmuseum
Brouwerij Martens, located in nearby Bocholt, ranks as Belgium’s third-largest brewery, with an annual output of 3.6 million hectoliters.
The brewery’s history dates back to 1758, and it has transformed its historic facilities, operational from then until the mid-19th century, into an exceptional industrial museum.
The museum showcases antique equipment, offering visitors a journey through the brewing process from malting to mashing, fermentation, barrelling, bottling, and transportation.
Visitors will discover the traditional skills utilized in brewing, along with some quirky techniques that have since fallen out of favor.
If you have ever wished to understand the distinction between a boiling kettle and a wort cooler, this museum provides the perfect opportunity.
The experience culminates on the sunlit terrace, where patrons can enjoy a refreshing glass of beer.
For inquiries regarding visits, it is advisable to contact them through their Facebook page.
6. Stadsmuseum Bree
The attic of the old city hall serves as a repository for Bree’s historical artifacts.
This collection of models, documents, artifacts, and photographs was first curated in the 1970s and narrates Bree’s history from prehistory through to the Second World War.
The exhibits include Baroque furniture, utensils and tools related to historical trades, as well as weapons and regalia from Bree’s Schutterij, voluntary guilds that were responsible for the city’s defense during Medieval and Early Modern periods.
A meticulously detailed scale model illustrates the city’s extent circa 1700, complemented by a cabinet displaying historical documents from the 15th to the 17th centuries.
Of particular significance is a charter from 1007, marking the earliest written reference to Bree, recorded then as “Britte.” Visits to the museum are conducted upon request alongside a guide.
Fortunately, the city’s tourism offices are conveniently located right downstairs.
7. Cycling
The verdant, rolling countryside surrounding Bree is accessible via an extensive network of cycling paths, extending over 2,000 kilometers.
Most routes are paved and devoid of vehicular traffic, allowing for leisurely exploration using the system’s numbered junctions (knooppunten). Specialized trails traverse Bree in lengths ranging from 17 to nearly 90 kilometers.
If tranquil landscapes are desired, consider the 34-kilometer Landbouwfietsroute (agricultural route), which grants passage by no fewer than twelve diverse farms.
During this peaceful ride, participants will witness farmyards, meticulously maintained arable land, as well as pastures inhabited by Highland cattle, sheep, and goats.
8. Sint-Maartensheide – De Luysen
The Abeek, a stream flowing eastward past Bree, remains relatively untouched by human intervention, preserving its natural curves along with marshlands and ponds.
Sint-Maartensheide – De Luysen is a nature preserve located ten minutes northeast of Bree, featuring pathways for walking or cycling through a blend of heathland, forests, and pastures grazed by Highland cattle, alongside meadows adjacent to marsh and open water.
This area is a crucial habitat for dragonflies and is recognized as one of the most bird-rich locations in Flanders.
Notably, the great grey shrike thrives in swampy environments during summer, preying on insects like dragonflies.
Bitterns, woodcocks, and snipes nest within this ecosystem, while ospreys and egrets seek refuge here during winter months.
The Mariahof at De Luysen, an old farm dating back to the early 19th century, was acquired by the Belgian state in 2005 and transformed into a visitor center for the reserve.
9. Lost Gates and Towers
A glance at Bree on a map reveals its Medieval street configuration, with a ring road replacing the former ramparts and moat established in 1870. This road is named after the various sections of the historic wall (Witte Torenwal, Grauwe Torenwal, Ter Rivierenwal). More intriguingly, the outlines of Bree’s four lost city gates have been retained in the paving.
This preservation includes the Gerdingerpoort, De Witte Toren, and the Opitterpoort.
Notably, the latter, located on the southeastern edge of Bree, marks the former presence of two horse-shoe-shaped towers, with a narrow passage separating them, which highlights the smaller scale of Medieval inhabitants and livestock.
Along the southern axis of the ring, visitors can observe the excavated foundations of the Grauwe Toren, which also features a horseshoe footprint.
10. Boneput
Located just a short ride south of the city center, Bree’s recreational area offers delightful amenities, particularly for younger children, with its exciting playgrounds and the water-themed Bronneke.
Additionally, a multisensory “G Pad” has been designed for children with disabilities while remaining accessible to all visitors.
The facility also includes outdoor fitness equipment, a basketball court, a skate park, a football pitch, and a cafe, which operates during the months of June, July, and August.
In the vicinity, though not geared towards casual visitors, resides the tennis center of excellence established in the 2010s by former world No. 1 tennis player and champion of the French Open and Wimbledon, Kim Clijsters.
She was born in the area, raised in Bree, and continues to reside here. The Kim Clijsters Academy is a premier facility featuring 20 courts and advanced amenities for fitness and sports medicine.
For local residents, the academy offers “Kids’ Tennis Fun Camps” during school holidays.
11. Vallei van de Abeek
This nature reserve, located a ten-minute drive from Bree, is situated along the Abeek stream, allowing visitors to stroll through an alder forest and traverse marshes using a wooden boardwalk.
Early spring is the optimal time to explore this area, as it reveals a splendid display of wildflowers, such as white wood sorrel, celandine, and marsh marigold, carpeting the forest floor.
In winter, the forest comes alive with Eurasian siskins that congregate to feed on the seeds of the alder trees.
12. Rijtuigmuseum Bree
Bree resident André Jonckers pursues a unique hobby: the collection of historic horse-drawn carriages and related paraphernalia.
The collection features approximately 20 antique carriages, alongside uniforms, tools, numerous miniature carriages, and the largest collection of carriage stoves in Belgium, made from copper, iron, or wood.
The carriages in the collection primarily date back to the late 19th century.
The museum includes models and styles that have long vanished from history, such as the barouche, landau, chaise, Victoria, and shooting-brake.
A visit incurs a nominal fee of €2, and the museum welcomes guests daily by appointment.
13. Archeologisch Park de Rieten
Located to the southwest of Bree is an archaeological park that preserves Iron Age burial mounds, discovered near the village of Wijshagen in 1984. This site reveals insights into several centuries of human activity, dating from approximately the 6th century to the 1st century BCE.
The inhabitants of this area during that period engaged in farming, cattle breeding, and various artisanal crafts.
However, their burial sites, adorned with bronze, iron, earthenware, and even gold items, suggest a high degree of sophistication and extensive trade connections across the continent.
The artifacts recovered from this site are now among the most significant collections held by institutions such as the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren.
Visitors can find three graves belonging to Celtic chieftains, two common graves, a mass burial site encompassing 44 individuals, and a Roman shrine.
14. Snow Valley
While skiing may not be the first activity that comes to mind in the Belgian Limburg region, Snow Valley, located nearby in Peer, offers a year-round winter sports center.
Snow Valley features three slopes, with the longest, De Grote Piste, stretching 350 meters, catering to all skill levels from novice to expert.
For complete beginners, the Oefen Piste (practice slope) is ideal, measuring 100 meters in length with a gentle gradient.
The steeper, 85-meter Boarders Paradise is packed with jumps, rails, and boxes to accommodate freestylers.
Snow Valley provides a wide array of packages for instruction, though those already familiar with skiing can rent all necessary equipment and simply enjoy the snow.
15. Wekelijkse Vrijdagmarkt
Every Friday morning, from 08:00 to 12:00, the southern half of Bree’s city center transforms into a bustling street market.
This remarkable market meanders through the streets of Grauwe Torenwal, Ter Rivierenwal, Hoogstraat, Nieuwstadstraat, Kloosterpoort, Markt, and Vrijthof.
On market days, over 120 stalls pay homage to a tradition that dates back to the 13th century, when Bree was granted city rights.
An excise duties register from 1437 indicates that a wide range of goods, including livestock, beer, wine, cheese, soap, tanned leather, linseed, and wool were available for sale on Bree’s streets.
Today, visitors can meander through the stalls, discovering fresh produce, fish, meat, clothing, and textiles before taking a well-deserved break at one of Bree’s many cafes.
