Kortrijk and the Lys Valley

Kortrijk is a city on the river Leie, known in French as the Lys, in West Flanders in Belgium's Flemish Region, about 45 km southwest of Ghent. SNCB trains from Ghent-Sint-Pieters reach Kortrijk railway station on Stationsplein in 25 to 35 minutes, and the train is the recommended mode. The Grote Markt and old centre are a short walk from the station, about 10 to 15 minutes. The city is associated with the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, when Flemish townsmen defeated French knights, and the event is commemorated across Kortrijk each July. Its Belfry, part of the UNESCO-listed group of Belgian and French belfries, stands on the Grote Markt, near the Gothic town hall and the Church of Our Lady. The Broel Towers, two medieval towers connected by a bridge over the Leie, are a popular photo stop, and the Begijnhof is a quiet corner of the centre. The Groeninge Museum is not to be confused with the Bruges museum of the same name; in Kortrijk, the Broelmuseum and the Kortrijk 1302 museum present the battle and local history, including textile and linen traditions that once made the Lys valley prosperous. A day can begin with the Belfry and Grote Markt in the morning, followed by the Broel Towers and the museum. Lunch fits the restaurants around the Grote Markt and Sint-Maartenskerk. The afternoon suits a walk or ride along the Lys river path, which runs through green countryside, or a visit to the Begijnhof. The Lys valley is also known for flax, and nearby villages mark the linen heritage. The best season is April to October, because riverside walks and cycling are at their best, although the city's museums make it suitable in any month. Kortrijk is also a convenient base for Ypres, which is about 30 minutes further by train. Return tickets from Ghent cost about €8 to €12 each way.