Earlier this week I stopped in Ypres for the morning, having passed it on the autoroute so many times and not thinking to stop. I really wanted to visit the Flanders Field Museum, but unfortunately it is closed for renovation this year.

Nevertheless, it was a lovely morning and I had a great time photographing the architecture. Here are the photos: http://tinyurl.com/7csmc56

Shame the museum is closed, it is well worth another visit to see it some time in the future. Also try and stay for the Last Post, it's very moving. Thanks for posting and bringing back some memories for me, great photo's too.

We have been to Ieper several times aND HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED THE TIME SPENT THERE. i FIND IT MUCH MORE INTERSTING THAN THE nORMANDY BEACHES. tOO BAD THE mUSEUM WAS CLOSED. iT IS excellent!! Wis my shift key was in the right place or I looked at what I was tyoing!!

Bookmarking. Another wonderful taste of the France I could never have time enough to see if I had two lifetimes.

Have you been at the brandy again, Avalon?

Hi Kerouac, thanks for a nice photo-reportage. I always tell my DH when you've posted (he is a non-Fodorite), so you have quite a few followers at this end of the earth. I have good memories of Ieper / Ypres, thanks for bringing them back!

Lavandula

On my frequent trips between where I live; (Galicia Spain) and family (The Netherlands) I try and stop off in Ypres. It has a great atmosphere these days despite is haunting past.

When in Ieper(ypres) make the short trip up to Kemmelberg, Mont Kemmel. The site of a WWI battle and a French militaRY cemetary. Also a very nice hotel there which is convenient for touring the area

Thanks, K for bringing back some lovely memories of walking around Ypres.

Next time you're there, you might like to pick up a copy of the self-guided walk you can take around the old town walls - plenty of interesting history and sites along the route. Takes about 2 hours to complete, from memory.

And as Maudie says, the Menin Gate & Last Post ceremony held every evening is a very moving experience. Di

Seeing your pictures was very moving. Thank you.

Once again your camera has forced me to add a destination to my must-see list. Have you made the companion trip to Vimy Ridge in France, also a must for Commonwealth tourists? Its neighbouring town of Arras is nice although much overshadowed by your Ypres photos. The battlefield itself has been appropriated as a Canadian national monument. Its most fascinating feature is the extensive web of tunnels underneath the battle trenches, open on a free guided tour.

My first "trip" there. Thank you, k. The destruction made the current beauty even more touching. Off to look at a map. Some of the buildings reminded me of Bruges.

kerouac,

Nice photos.

Off-topic but I MUST mention...

You were very, VERY close the what has been consistently rated "the best beer in the world" and available only at their monastery (and the cafe just outside). Beer pilgrims from around the world make the trek.

http://www.sintsixtus.be/eng/brouwerij.htm

...and the cafe just outside the Abbey:
http://www.indevrede.be/

Help me out here..Ypres <B>is</B> in Belgium, correct?

Yes.

Yes, nukesafe may have been having a senior moment in his comment. But it is easily forgiven since 98% of my posts are about France these days.

I have senior moments more and more frequently, Kerouac, (ask my wife) but in which of my two comments here did I slip into dementia?

Hello kerouac,

The devastation of Ypres during the Great War broke my heart. How foolish mankind can be at times. Rebuilt modern Ypres on the other hand seemed charming and warmed my heart. Terrific photos and thanks for sharing this post with us.

Best wishes, Daniel

marking for later look. thanks - always wanted to go there and now I can without leaving home.

Nukesafe:

"in which of my two comments here did I slip into dementia?"

Perhaps in your first comment. ;-)

"Another wonderful taste of the <b>France</b> I could never have time enough to see if I had two lifetimes."