The centre is situated on the border of the Calmeynbos and the Oosthoekduinen, next to highly valuable dune areas and close to the Flemish nature reserves Houtsaegerduinen en Kerkepannebos De Westhoek and Duinzoom Oosthoek. The reserve is managed by the Nature department in accordance with the Flemish and European legislation regarding nature conservation. The visitors centre can be reached via the E40 motorway, exit Adinkerke – direction of De Panne; 250m before reaching the St.Pieterskerk, turn right. There is a stop of the coastal tramline at the St.Pieterskerk, which is at a five minutes’ walk from the centre. One of the greatest objects of the centre for as well students, tourists as persons of age is to discover and appreciate nature. The museum will play a central part to achieve this object. A lot of interesting things about the sea, the beach and the dunes are exposed in the museum. The visitors will get an image of underwaterlife, the source of many things that can be found on the beach… The flora and fauna of the dunes and the beach receive special attention. In the centre, you can also find an audio-visual room where nature films and slides can be showed. There is also a multimedia library where visitors can find an answer to questions about dunes and beach in different nature books and magazines and where everybody can surf the Net. The centre has also educational functions. The class and lab make it possible to learn about the different ecosystems; educators will make educational programs for schools and groups.
At the information desk people can obtain general tourist information about the Flemish West Coast.
For more information :
AMINAL – Afdeling Natuur
Vlaams Bezoekerscentrum De Nachtegaal
Olmendreef 2 – 8660 De Panne
[t] 058/42.21.51
[f] 058/42.21.52