De Panne

De Panne is a coastal municipality in West Flanders that stretches along about 7 kilometers of North Sea shoreline with broad sandy beaches. The area borders French territory at its western edge and forms an important point on the Belgian coast.

Leopold I, the first King of Belgium, arrived in De Panne in 1831 and marked the beginning of Belgian monarchy after his voyage from England. This arrival was a turning point for the young independent state.

The town center keeps Flemish building styles with early 20th-century houses and fishermen's cottages that shape how the streets look. These structures tell the story of the maritime past and how locals have lived here.

The train station in Adinkerke provides regular connections to Belgian cities and is easily reached from the town center. Visitors can rely on these rail links to explore nearby areas and travel to other regions.

The Westhoek Nature Reserve protects 565 hectares of dune landscape, including the Hoge Blekker, the highest dune formation in Belgium. This area offers rare views into the natural coastal ecology of the region.

Location: Arrondissement of Veurne

Inception: January 1, 1977

Capital city: De Panne

Elevation above the sea: 2 m

Operator: Gemeente De Panne

Part of: Politsei regiuun Waastküst, Emergency zone Westhoek

Shares border with: Koksijde, Bray-Dunes, Ghyvelde, Veurne

Phone: +3258421616

Email: info@depanne.be

Website: https://depanne.be

GPS coordinates: 51.10190,2.59170

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:51