Top 10 Free Things to do in Ieper (Ypres), Flanders

February 21, 2022 Fernanda Pittenger

An ancient city in the Flemish province of West Flanders, Ieper (as it’s known in the Flemish tongue) has enjoyed financial and cultural status since the 12th century. Today, visitors can check out remnants of its impressive past, including ramparts that date back to 1385 and an historic moat, which now is a haven for wildlife. Ieper found itself in the middle of World War I and suffered tremendous damage to all of its buildings, but has been both reconstructed in its medieval style and built up with modern structures.
Restaurants in Ieper (Ypres)

1. Last Post ceremony

Menin Gate, Ieper (Ypres) Belgium http://www.lastpost.be/
Excellent
87%
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5.0 based on 2,613 reviews

Last Post ceremony

Reviewed By IainS768 - Bethesda, United Kingdom

Everything that has been written about this Ceremony is true,if you can possibly make the journey to Ieper then you must experience this very moving tribute carried out at 8.00pm every night. I had the honour of laying a Wreath recently and this experience ranks as one of the most emotional moments in my life and one that I was honoured to have taken part in. We owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of people who gave their life’s so willingly in the name of freedom.

2. Saint Julien Memorial

Saint-Julien, Langemark, Ieper (Ypres) Belgium http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/first-world-war/belgium/stjulien
Excellent
77%
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22%
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5.0 based on 180 reviews

Saint Julien Memorial

Reviewed By abdinohunter

This site commemorating Canadian Soldiers repelling the first gas attacks in World War 1 is a beautiful garden surrounding a very poignant monument.

3. Menin Gate Memorial

Menenstraat Poort gebouw, Ieper (Ypres) 8900 Belgium +32 57 23 92 20 http://www.lastpost.be/en/home
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5.0 based on 4,861 reviews

Menin Gate Memorial

Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders. The Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin (Menen) and Courtrai (Kortrijk). The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927. Each night at 8 pm the traffic is stopped at the Menin Gate while members of the local Fire Brigade sound the Last Post in the roadway under the Memorial's arches.

Reviewed By naggedman - Newbury, United Kingdom

Anyone can apply to lay a wreath at one of the 8pm ceremonies that have run every night for 90 years at this extraordinary memorial, thanks to the dedication of the Town's volunteers, including the buglers who play Last Post and a version of Reveille. On this evening there were children and youths from about ten schools, alongside the Royal Artillery Association standard bearer, here to present the standard to the Town in recognition of its extraordinary efforts to remember the fallen. Arrive early if you want a close to the arch front row position.

4. Bedford House Cemetery

Rijselseweg 83, Ieper (Ypres) 8902 Belgium http://www.firstworldwar.com/today/bedfordhousecemetery.htm
Excellent
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5.0 based on 128 reviews

Bedford House Cemetery

In all, 5,139 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War are buried or commemorated in the enclosures of Bedford House Cemetery. 3,011 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate a number of casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials name casualties buried in other cemeteries whose graves could not be found on concentration. Second World War burials number 69 (3 of which are unidentified). There are 2 Germans buried here. Bedford House Cemetery is located 2.5 Km south of Ieper town centre. The cemetery lies on the Rijselseweg (N336), the road connecting Ieper to Armentieres. From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. The cemetery itself is located 2 Km after this crossroads on the left hand side of the Rijselseweg.

5. Chez Marie

Neermarkt 6 Schuin Tegenover Het In Flanders Field Museum, Ieper (Ypres) 8900 Belgium +32 57 20 02 06 [email protected] http://www.chezmarie-Ieper.be
Excellent
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5.0 based on 36 reviews

Chez Marie

A wide selection of Belgium beers and artisan products. Bike rental: Discover the character and history of Ypres and it's surrounding area on a bike!

Reviewed By paulsR8909MH - Fordingbridge, United Kingdom

If you love beer and have an opportunity then you really need to visit. Excellent selection of beers on sale along with other local products. An amazing place to visit with fantastic customer service.

6. Kaffee Bazaar

Boomgaardstraat 9, Ieper (Ypres) 8900 Belgium +32 494 53 32 50 http://www.kaffeebazaar.be/
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5.0 based on 27 reviews

Kaffee Bazaar

7. Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery

Bellestraat, Ieper (Ypres) 8908 Belgium http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/14800/VLAMERTINGHE%20NEW%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY
Excellent
78%
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery

Reviewed By U9441TJhollyb - Kent, United Kingdom

Happened to be in the region and on a whim googled my surname and came to find a member of my family were buried here in 1917 so we decided to do a small detour and visit. What a beautiful cemetery, wonderfully kept (as they all are). Very peaceful, in fact it’s on top of a farm so you have cows and sheep wondering around which is lovely. It‘a hidden away between two houses so can be easily missed. It’s a very beautiful place to pay your respects to those lost.

8. Menin Road South Military Cemetery

Menin Road South, Ieper (Ypres) 8900 Belgium 01628 507200 http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/9300/MENIN%20ROAD%20SOUTH%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY
Excellent
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

Menin Road South Military Cemetery

9. The Bluff Crater

Palingbeekstraat, Zillebeke, Ieper (Ypres) 8902 Belgium +32 57 23 08 40 http://www.toerismeieper.be
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5.0 based on 12 reviews

The Bluff Crater

10. Hill 60

Zwarteleenstraat 36-40, Ieper (Ypres) 8902 Belgium http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/memorial-hill60.htm
Excellent
56%
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4.5 based on 600 reviews

Hill 60

Reviewed By Harrison-F-Carter - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We were fortunate to visit with a BBC war journalist and he was able to share the story of this site in incredible detail... be sure to research prior to, or during, your visit.

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