Travel Guide Menen

Menin, with the municipalities of Lauwe and Rekkem, has a population of just over 32,500. This border town has a rich and eventful history! Situated on the banks of the river Lys, it grew up on the road from Bruges to Lille. The first mention of the town dates back to 1087. As a border town, Menin was fortified very early in its history: its first ramparts date back to 1578 and, between 1579 and 1830, the town was besieged twenty-two times! In the second half of the 17th century, Vauban worked on Menin's fortifications, adding an enclosure and bastions.The river Lys, which forms the natural border between Belgium and France, played a key role in the city's development. Today, its banks form a green space in the middle of the city, where visitors can enjoy a stroll.In the 14th century, Menin became a leading center for the cloth trade. Two centuries later, Menin became famous for its beer. Between 1520 and 1549, Menin was home to as many as 104 brewmasters! More than 30 of the town's buildings are now protected, including the town's 16th-century belfry, which is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List along with some 30 other Belgian belfries.