Jaap van 't Veen's photos

Château du Breuil (Breuil Castle) is a 16th cen¬tury renaissance castle, with significant developments extending into the 17th century. The castle is listed as a His¬tor¬ic Monu¬ment. It has served as the residence of several notable families. The castle complex includes a main residential building, outbuildings, and formal gardens. The use of local limestone and timber framing in parts of the structure highlights regional building traditions. Breuil Castle does not retain medieval fortifications such as moats or battlements, yet its sturdy stone contribute to its imposing presence. Since 1954, Château du Breuil has been recognized not only for its architectural heritage, but also as one of the most prestigious Calvados distilleries in Normandy.

Blangy-le-Château is a picturesque village in the heart of the Pays d’Auge, was awarded in 2024 the official ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’ label (mid 2026 there were 184 of such villages). The village is well known for its many colourful half-timbered houses with architectural details, such as the old pharmacy with its carved woodwork, or the 16th century Auberge du Coq Hardi, one of the oldest and most opulent houses in the village (main image).

The original Château de Combray (Combray Castle) was built in the 16th century. The present castle, in the Louis XIII style, dates from the mid-19th century. After 1965, the owner of the castle, who died unmarried, decided to bequeath the estate to the Pasteur Institute. The castle is now owned by a private individual and not open to the public.

Château de Fauguernon (Fauguernon Castle) is a historic site, featuring medieval ruins that date back to the 9th and 12th centuries. The site - located on a strategic point - was fortified against Scandinavian (Vikings) invasions. The castle was partly dismantled in the 12th and again in the 16th century by the governor of Normandy. The ruins of the fortress retain the vestiges of a double wall whose enclosure was occupied by farming activities. The interior defence is formed by thick high walls reinforced by towers built on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by ditches. I was lucky when taking the pictures. On Google Maps, it looks as though the farm buildings are the castle. But when I walked onto the grounds to ask the owner for permission to take photos, I was invited on a private tour – complete with a detailed explanation of the history – to the ruins of the original castle.

Château d'Hermival (Hermival Castle) is dating back to the middle of the 16th-century. The country house was remodeled in the 17th and 18th century under Louis XV. The facades have been listed as a Historic Monument since 1927, featuring distinctive corner pavilions in checkerboard pink brick and cut stone. Originally owned by the noble Bosch family, it later passed to the Sisters of Bon Sauveur de Caen community, before being renovated in 2019 as a private event venue.

Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Lisieux (Saint Peter’s Cathedral) was the seat of the Bishop of Lisieux until the diocese of Lisieux was merged in 1801 into the diocese of Bayeux. Most probably there was already a church here in the 6th century. This is because a Bishop of Lisieux existed around that time. A previous cathedral, built in the Romanesque style, was unfortunately burned down in 1136. The basic shape of the church, especially the front part, stayed the same. Rebuilding of the cathedral started around 1160. In 1226, another fire damaged the cathedral. During the repairs three small chapels were added to the back of the church. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Lisieux survived World War II completely unharmed. This is quite amazing, as the town of Lisieux itself suffered from allied bombing in 1944.

Mid August 2026, severe drought - heavily impacted by an ongoing dry summer in Europe - and critically low Rhine discharge led to historic low water levels in the IJssel river. These extremely low water levels forced harbor closures, lock restrictions, and temporary pumping interventions along the river. I took the main photo at the “IJssel Crossing Memorial”, which honours the Canadian soldiers who crossed the IJssel on 11 and 12 April 1945 during Operation Cannonshot.

Renderklippen is a nature reserve, which is characterised by vast stretches of moorland that lie on moraines. These moraines were created during the last ice age. Archaeological excavations have shown that the area was already inhabited as early as 700 BC. There are several vantage points ranging in height from 25 to 30 metres throughout the undulating landscape, where one can enjoy breathtaking vistas. Because the Renderklippen nature reserve is located far from major cities, it is one of the few places in the Netherlands where it can still be really dark at night.

The Oranjepark is the oldest citypark in Apeldoorn and was officially opened on 13 May 1876. The landscape architects, father and son Hoogeweg, were responsible for the design of the park, which was laid out in the English landscape style. This time, I’ve taken a few photos during the unusual dry period that the Netherlands – and Apeldoorn too – was experiencing during the summer of 2026. The lawns are mostly dried out and brown. Thanks to a daily splash of water, the flowerbeds are still in full bloom.

Kasteel De Nijenbeek - a defensive castle on the banks of the river IJssel - was first mentioned in 1266. At that time it was inhabited by knight Theodericus, also called Dirk, Lord of Nijenbeek. Its location on the banks of the river IJssel was very strategic, assuring control over the traffic on the river. Over the centuries a lot has changed to the castle. The many different owners adapted the building to their own wishes and use. Later in the 18th century De Nijenbeek fell into disrepair, because the owners lived somewhere else and rented out the castle. In 1945 - at the end of World War II - Kasteel De Nijenbeek was shelled from the eastern bank of the river IJssel by Canadian troops because it was used by the Germans as a lookout post. During the shelling, the tower of the castle lost its 19th century pyramid roof. The castle became more and more a ruin. In 2016 the ruin was consolidated by a major restoration. The (consolidated) square tower is nowadays the only remaining part of the castle. Kasteel De Nijenbeek has very limited opening hours..

The Basilique Sainte-Thérèse-de-Lisieux was founded in Romanesque-Byzantine style in memory of Sainte Thérèsede l’Enfant Jésus. Construction of the church began in 1929 and it was consecrated in 1954. The walls and ceiling of the basilica are largely covered with marble and mosaics. These vibrant works of art, created by Pierre Gaudin, depict scenes from the lives of Christ and Sainte Thérèse. The absence of columns in the immense interior provides an unobstructed view for 4.000 worshippers.

The Basilique Sainte-Thérèse-de-Lisieux (Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse of Lisieux) was founded in Romanesque-Byzantine style in memory of Sainte Thérèsede l’Enfant Jésus. Construction of the church began in 1929 and it was consecrated in 1954. The story of the Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse begins with the life of Thérèse of Lisieux, a young Carmelite nun who was canonised in 1925. Her popularity grew enormously and the need for a place of pilgrimage became apparent. In response, construction of the basilica began under the direction of the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux and architect Louis Marie Cordonnier. The design of the basilica is a mix of neo-Byzantine and Romanesque styles, inspired by the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris. The building is constructed of reinforced concrete and a local type of granite. The Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse has impressive dimensions: 104 metres long, 45 metres wide and a dome reaching a height of 97 metres. With an area of 4,500 m², it is the largest church built in France in the 20th century. The basilica can accommodate 4.000 worshippers. The construction of the Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse-de-Lisieux faced many challenges, including financial constraints and the outbreak of the Second World War, but it was finally consecrated in 1954. Today, with more than 700,000 visitors, it has become the second most important place of pilgrimage in France.

The Abbey of Saint-Riquier was founded around 625 and later came under royal protection with King Dagobert I. In 790 it became a major center of the Carolingian Empire when Charlemagne appointed his close friend, Angilbert, as abbot. At the end of the 9th century, the abbey was destroyed by Norman invaders. Over the centuries, it suffered more than fifteen pillages and devastations. Yet, always rebuilt and enriched, the abbey remained an important religious and theological center. After the Revolution, the convent buildings were for a time turned into quarries, then later housed hospitals or seminaries. The entire site was purchased in 1972 by the Department of the Somme and became a cultural center. The church reveals a stylistic diversity, featuring elements of early, classical, and flamboyant gothic. The 15th-century façade - richly sculpted - is dominated by a central tower rising to 50 meters.

The Rozentuin (Rose Garden) is located in the historic garden of Kasteel 't Hooge . In 1959, a section of the garden was arranged as a rosarium. The Rozentuin - covering an area of about one hectare - has two sections. The demonstration garden with some 200 hundred rose varieties that have proven to be successful and a historical garden that paints a picture of the rose's evolution through the centuries. The garden also comprises an experimental garden (PiP5), where more than a 100 new varieties of roses from European breeders are planted every year.

The Sint-Maartenskerk (Saint Martin's Church) is the main Roman Catholic church and one of the principal gothic monuments of Kortrijk. The church is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. The current hall church with its three naves was built between 1390 and 1466, following the destruction of the first church. After a fire in 1862, a section was rebuilt in neo-gothic style. The 83 meters high tower in Brabant gothic style is a striking feature of the Kortrijk skyline. Its wooden spire accommodates a full-sized carillon with 49 bells. Sint-Maartenskerk holds many artworks by Flemish masters.

The Broeltorens (Broel Towers) - constructed from lime- and sandstone - are dating back around the year 1400. The southern Speytorre (to the right of the main photo) was constructed in 1385 to control traffic on the river Leie. The northerly Inghelburghtorre is dating back to 1415. The tower served as a weapons depot and was equipped for the use of artillery. The Broelbrug originally dates back to 1385. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times.The towers were built by the Burgundian dukes and are remnants of the old city fortifications. Broel ' refers to bruul , which means a generally marshy or fallow piece of land.

Kortrijk experienced significant population growth in the 19th-century, necessitating new parish churches. The Passionist Fathers were establishing a monastery, a school, and the Sint-Antoniuskerk (Saint Anthony Church) in 1873. The church - built in the Neo-Romanesque style- is a much visited place of pilgrimage. The Sint-Antoniuskerk is well known for its colourful murals. Brother Isidore was a professed religious from the Passionists. He had fragile health when he arrived in the area in 1912; after a year as a cook, he was given the less demanding task of porter. He tried to help everyone who came to him during World War I, earning the nickname ‘Brother Good’. Beatified brother Isidore died in 1916; his tomb is located in a side chapel

The Lourdesgrot - next to the Sint Antoniuskerk - was consecrated in 1908, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the first apparition of Mary in Lourdes. The grotto was built by the Passionist friars on a location with a small chapel. The site soon became an important and busy place for Marian devotion in Kortrijk. The grotto is known for the many small ex-voto tiles on its walls. These tiles testify to answered prayers and gratitude.