Tour of Flanders Centre

The Tour of Flanders Centre, at Markt 43 in Oudenaarde, in East Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, is a museum dedicated to the Tour of Flanders, one of cycling's five Monuments, and to the cycling culture of the Flemish Ardennes. Oudenaarde is the finish town of the race, and the centre sits in the historic Markt close to the late-Gothic town hall. Exhibits tell the story of the race since it began in 1913 through jerseys, bicycles, photographs and film, with interactive elements that let visitors experience the cobbled climbs known as the hellingen and the atmosphere of race day. Displays cover famous champions and the geography of the route, including the Koppenberg and the Oude Kwaremont. Beyond the exhibition, the centre rents bicycles and provides route information for riding sections of the course in the surrounding hills, so many visitors combine the museum with a ride. A visit takes around an hour and a half. The centre is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays, and adult tickets cost roughly EUR 12, with a lower rate for children, though current prices should be confirmed on the official website. April is the busiest and most atmospheric time, when the race is held, and the surrounding towns fill with fans, so booking bikes and accommodation ahead is wise. At other times the museum is quiet. Oudenaarde has a station with trains from Ghent in about 30 minutes, making this an easy day trip, and the town hall and the small streets around the Markt reward a short walk afterwards.