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Before you go
Your trip to Poperinge.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Poperinge – West Flanders Destination Ypres and the front
How to get there
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Brussels Airport (BRU) Zaventem
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Station Poperinge 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Poperinge is the terminus of train line 69, which runs via Ypres and Kortrijk. From Brussels the journey requires a change. Confirm before buying.
How many days
One day is enough for Talbot House and Lijssenthoek. You can combine it with Ypres, which is one station away by train.
When to go
From April to October, with long days. In September the hop festival takes place every three years, with a street parade. In winter, from December to February, days are short and rainy.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
For Talbot House, no: it's in the centre, within walking distance of the station. Lijssenthoek is a few kilometres away in the countryside and requires a car, bicycle or taxi.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Poperinge
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Morning
Talbot House
From the station, walk to Talbot House on Gasthuisstraat. Visit the museum about life behind the lines, the old house, the garden and the chapel in the attic.
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Afternoon
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Head south to Lijssenthoek. Start at the visitor centre, which tells the story of the field hospitals, and then walk through the cemetery.
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Late afternoon
Grote Markt
Back in the centre, pass through the main square, the Grote Markt. At the town hall two cells used during the war for those condemned to death are preserved; check whether they are open to visitors.
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Evening
Train to Ypres
Take the train to Ypres, one station further, and watch the Last Post at the Menin Gate.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Why wasn't Poperinge occupied by the Germans?
The town lay to the west of the front line, which became fixed at Ypres from the end of 1914. It was one of the few Belgian towns outside the occupation and became a rest base and site of hospitals for British troops.
Can you go by train?
Yes. Poperinge is the terminus of line 69, which runs via Ypres and Kortrijk. Check timetables before you go.
Can you stay overnight at Talbot House?
Yes. The house maintains guest rooms in addition to the museum. Book in advance and confirm conditions.
What does hops have to do with Poperinge?
The region has produced much of Belgium's hops, an ingredient of beer, since the 15th century. The high-pole plantations are part of the landscape between Poperinge and Ypres.