Cabour in Adinkerke is home to one of the best preserved dune areas in north-western Europe with great ecological value and unique vegetation. You will also find relics recalling the World War I military hospital, remnants of defensive structures from both World Wars, and the World War II Adinkerke Field Battery, which, like the domain, is protected.
Dunes
The Cabour Dunes, located in Adinkerke, are a haven of peace near the sea and the Westhoek Reserve. Here, the I.W.V.A. manages a unique piece of nature formed by 5,000-year-old dunes. These inner dunes formed a closed coastline, but were partially swept away. Seawater came in up to this point, hence the calcareous origin of the dune sand. Meanwhile, the lime has washed out to deeper layers, causing superficial acidification. Plants such as gorse and Scotch broom feel at home here. Numerous species of mosses and lichens give the dunes their unique appearance. Shetland ponies are being used to combat coarsening.
The Cabour Dunes offer hikers a pristine piece of nature to get a breath of fresh air. At 1850 metres long and an average width of 500 metres, these dunes are a paradise for nature and bird lovers. The Cabour Dunes exude nothing but tranquillity. In the middle of the polder landscape, they form a single 87 ha nature reserve where the whole family can have plenty of fun.
Field battery
The Adinkerke field battery is located on the south side of the Cabour site and is a rear line field battery. The battery is a well-preserved portion of the Atlantic Wall. This site is typical of the transition phase from the use of open gun emplacements to bunkers. The field battery consists of six brick open gun emplacements, four gun bunkers, and a command bunker, and is now a protected monument.
MUSEUM CABOUR WO II & 2/4 LANSIERS
The renovated Museum Cabour WO II & 2/4 Lansiers is the gateway to Cabour and well worth a visit. Collector Robert Moeyaert’s unique collection there tells the story of World War II in our region through objects, texts, and touch screens. A second section is devoted to the history of the 2nd Lancers Regiment, which was founded in 1830 and merged with the 4th Lancers Regiment in 1994.
Museum of Water Extraction
This museum (not freely accessible) is the brainchild of the intermunicipal water company of Veurne-Ambacht and illustrates water extraction in the Westhoek. As you wander through the various rooms of this congenial museum in Adinkerke, you will feel like you’re in another era. Here, the entire water extraction process is explained and illustrated to you using old instruments, materials, and documents.
