Explore Chaam through a range of interests: the landscape around its streams and paths, historic buildings and recurring events. The Laarzenpad starts at Dasmussestraat 3, 4861 TG Chaam. When planning your visit, you can consider whether a walk, village history or a specific event date is the main draw for you.

Landscape, paths and nature

In the Chaamse Beek catchment area, the view stretches across flower-rich meadows. Hedges and pollarded willows shape the landscape, while the stream is being restored to its original winding course. ’t Reservaatje offers a different character: this nature area lies between the streams near the village of Chaam, by the Laag Heiveltse Beek. It features flower-rich grassland, two ponds and a hedge. A short circular walk runs partly along a boardwalk beside a pond.

The Laarzenpad crosses the centuries-old Landgoed Valkenberg estate. The country house can be seen from the estate’s gate. For walks in the Brabant nature area of ’t Broek, boots or good waterproof shoes are recommended; this advice is the source of the name Laarzenpad (Boot Path). The Elsakkerpad is one of the few church paths still in existence and an old link between Chaam and Snijders. Together, these paths illustrate different aspects of local route history: a path across an estate and a historic connection between villages.

The Chaamse Bossen also offer a distinctive regional landscape: they lie between Breda and Tilburg and are part of the Baronie of Breda. The nature areas described above refer to the Chaamse Beek catchment area and ’t Reservaatje.

Buildings and history in Chaam

The Ledevaertkerk has a bell dating from 1392. The Raadhuis van Chaam tells the story of a later chapter in the village’s history: Chaam became a separate municipality in 1810, and the town hall was built in 1823. It is a Rijksmonument, a listed national monument, and has a raised platform with a wrought-iron railing. A precisely dated historic feature and a building from the period after this municipal change offer distinct points of interest.

The historic Nederlandse Hervormde pastorie stands at Dorpsstraat 7. It was built in 1876 in a simple Eclectic style, near Chaam’s medieval Reformed church. Together with the Ledevaertkerk and the town hall, it offers a glimpse into buildings from different periods and their historic functions. The Elsakkerpad adds the history of church paths to this architectural perspective.

Events and wine

The Acht van Chaam is an annual road cycling criterium for professional and amateur riders, held on the Wednesday after the Tour de France. The course forms a figure eight and is about 4.5 kilometres long. The Nacht van Chaam takes place before the Acht van Chaam, with a large street festival in Dorpsstraat. Event dates can change, so check the date in advance if you want to plan your stay around it. The Comité Chaamerconcerten holds concerts at the Ledevaertkerk every year.

At Wijngaard Dassemus, guided tours and wine tastings for groups are available by appointment. Tours include a walk through the vineyards, information about Dutch winegrowing and organic practices, and a wine tasting. The vineyard covers 6 hectares and has more than 22,000 vines. It borders the nature area ’t Broek and the Chaamse Bekenstelsel. Those interested in winegrowing can learn about cultivation and working practices as well as enjoy a tasting; group visits are by appointment.

Regional food culture

The Chaamse Hoen, also known as Kaamse Kiep or Kaamse Pel, originates from the Alphen-Chaam area and its surroundings, as well as the southern part of the Baronie and Markiezaat in Noord-Brabant. It is raised for both eggs and meat; the hens are considered highly productive and the meat is regarded as high quality. Its regional origins extend beyond Chaam, adding a culinary tradition to the landscape and cultural themes.

Discover more destinations: Alphen, Galder.

For the overarching travel overview: Alphen-Chaam.