Leiestreek Villages

Barely a few miles southwest of Ghent, the River Leie (Lys) snakes gently into the countryside, as the rough edges of the city dissolve into quiet meadows, pretty polders, medieval villages, rustic restaurants, and mansions of every size, hue, and heft. As late as the early 20th century, this was mostly farming land; then the arrival of a colony of nature-loving Belgian artists changed it forever. Now, villages like Sint-Martens-Latem and Deurle, which were at the center of that artistic community, fill with expensive galleries and art museums. It has become a wealthy area and a popular weekend getaway for Ghentians, for whom the riverside paths, country trails, golf course, and the presence of one of Belgium's finest castles make for excellent walking and cycling all the way down to Deinze.