Do you enjoy walking or cycling? Then a trip along the Damse Vaart is an absolute must. This peaceful, arrow-straight canal cuts through the landscape, from vibrant Bruges via idyllic Damme to the historic town of Sluis.
In 1810, the Damse Vaart was commissioned by Napoleon as part of a larger network of military supply routes. The canal was meant to connect French troops to the North Sea, but the canal was never completed as originally intended. Nevertheless, it gained importance for shipping, water management, and the local economy.
Today, the canal is a beloved spot for cycling, walking, or boating, offering views of city ramparts, open polders, herons, and historic buildings along the way. It’s a place where landscape and infrastructure come together, with the canal as a quiet witness to centuries of change.
The Damse Vaart shows how waterways shaped military strategy, local trade, and spatial planning. As a landscape feature, it connects cities, fortifications, and nature. It also serves as a reminder of human ambition and power to control and utilize the land.