De Panne

De Panne (Dutch pronunciation: [də ˈpɑnə] ⓘ; French: La Panne [la pan]) is a town and a municipality located on the North Sea coast of the Belgian province of West Flanders. There it borders France, making it the westernmost town in Belgium. It is one of the most popular resort town destinations within Belgium.

De Panne
Municipality
De Panne town centre view
De Panne town centre view
Flag of De Panne
Flag
Coat of arms of De Panne
Coat of arms
Location of De Panne
De Panne is located in Belgium
De Panne
De Panne
Location in Belgium
Location of De Panne in West Flanders
Coordinates: 51°06′N 02°35′E
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceWest Flanders
ArrondissementVeurne
Government
 • MayorBram Degrieck (Het Plan - B)
 • Governing party/iesHet Plan -B, ACTIE, N-VA
Area
 • Total26.63 km2 (10.28 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total11,129
 • Density420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes
8660
NIS code
38008
Area codes058
Websitewww.depanne.be

The municipality includes the village of Adinkerke.

On 1 January 2011 De Panne had a total population of 10,748 on a total area of 23.90 km², which gives a population density of 449.7 inhabitants per km².

Miscellaneous

Famous people who have lived or died in De Panne include King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth, and John Aidan Liddell, VC, who died in De Panne in August 1915. The Belgian royal family lived in De Panne during the First World War because it was located in the tiny fraction of their country that was not conquered by the Germans.

De Panne is home to Plopsaland, a theme park aimed at young children and located on the former grounds of Meli Park. De Panne was also the place where the first land yachts intended for sport were built and used by the Dumont brothers in 1898.

On 17 July 1831, Leopold I, the first Belgian king, sailed to Calais from England, and arrived in Belgium in De Panne. The Leopold I Esplanade, which includes a statue of him, commemorates his arrival.

Since 1977 the town has hosted the Three Days of De Panne cycle race, which is held in the run up to, and traditionally used by riders as preparation for the Tour of Flanders.[2]

Transport

De Panne Railway Station is located in nearby Adinkerke. There are regular NMBS trains to Brussels. The line across the border to Dunkirk is out of use. Dk' bus run buses from the station forecourt to Gare de Dunkerque.[3] A cross-border campaign group called Trekhaak-73 [4] is seeking to re-open the railway line.

Belgian Military Cemetery of De Panne

The cemetery is located at Kerkstraat 69 in De Panne, 1 km south of the church.[5] Besides Belgian soldiers who died in the First World War there are also British soldiers who died in the Second World War. 3,744 soldiers have been buried here.[6] Nearby is Adinkerke Military Cemetery.

Images
  • Statue of Leopold I in De Panne
    Statue of Leopold I in De Panne
  • Beach and apartment buildings
    Beach and apartment buildings

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. Ryan, Barry (2 April 2014). "Three Days of De Panne fighting for its place in Classics calendar". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  3. (in French) www.dkbus.com
  4. www.trekhaak-73.be/
  5. the Belgian military cemetery of De Panne (in Dutch)
  6. description of the architecture and history of the Belgian military cemetery of De Panne (in Dutch)
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for De Panne.
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