The Belfry of Bergues

Self-guided tours, in small groups of 19 people maximum, by time slot.

• April to October:
  • Monday to Saturday: tours at 10am, 11am, 2pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm, 4.15pm and 5pm.
  • Sundays and public holidays: boarding at 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 3pm, 3.45pm, 4.30pm and 5.15pm.
• From 2 November to the end of March:
  • Monday to Saturday: boarding at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm and 4pm.

Prices: €5 / adult – €3 / child aged 5 to 11 – Free for children under 5. A family pass is available on site only.

Guided tours are available on the 1st Saturday of the month at the end of the day.

Virtual tours available on the ground floor of the Belfry.

Booking a visit couldn’t be easier:

• for self-guided tours , click here
• for guided tours: click here
• for immersive tours: click here

A word of advice: book in advance!

To visit the Belfry, you’ll have to climb the 206 steps leading up to the carillon and the panoramic view. But don’t panic, 4 exhibition rooms will punctuate your ascent and make it more accessible.

Characteristics of the Bergues Belfry :

• Current height: 47 metres
• Height of the old belfry: 54 metres
• Inauguration: 2 July 1961
• Number of steps (terrace): 206
• Number of bells in the carillon: 50
• Weathervane: “Nicolas” Lion
• Materials: yellow sand brick
• Ritornelles :
  • Hour: “Reuze Lied
  • Quarts : ” La mère poireau ” (The leek mother)
  • ½ : “Le mari Complaisant
  • 3/4 : “Kermis Lied

Over the centuries, the Bergues belfry has served various functions:

• Town gate: it is likely that the first tower also served as the town gate facing the Groenberg mountain.
• Watchtower: the belfry retained this function until 1914. Until then, two watchmen lived in the roof and kept watch over the town and its surroundings (enemies and fires).
• Town Hall: the burgomaster and his aldermen met on the first floor of the tower until 1586, when Philip II decided to merge the town and the castellany. The municipal administration then moved from the belfry to the Landhuys on the other side of the square.
• Bell tower: the tower of the “Banklocke” (the official town bell) and later the bell tower, the belfry still serves this function today.