A building with a 20-metre unsupported concrete span and the story of the Vrieshuisje offer two different perspectives on Son en Breugel: one on technical architecture and the other on everyday life in the late 1950s. The Dommelhuis was built as the Petrus-Banden Church in 1959–1960. Its concrete span was considered exceptional for its time. The Vrieshuisje is regarded as a distinctive expression of Son’s socioeconomic development: households did not yet have their own freezers and depended on a shared freezing facility. Together, these examples show how architecture and community life can be read as different ways of exploring the town’s history.
Buildings and Memorial Sites
The Sint-Genovevakerk has an organ dating from 1854; its original stained-glass windows were restored in 2023. After the devastating fire on 29 December 1958 and the demolition of the nave and choir in 1966, only the tower of the former Sint-Petrus-Banden Church remained. These two church histories preserve different traces: surviving interior details on the one hand and a remaining tower on the other.
La Sonnerie can also be explored through its architectural history. The complex includes a main building that served as a monastery, a chapel and a school. La Sonnerie has significant cultural and historical value because of its commemorative value and its importance to the history of village life in Son in the 20th century. Boerderij Wolfswinkel 1 offers a different architectural feature: the thatched roof has a base of red Oud-Holland roof tiles on the left side façade, while the right side façade has red pantiles. The description of the building is shaped by the combination of different materials.
Traces of Operation Market Garden
On 17 September 1944, the area around Boerderij De Paulushoef served as a landing zone for thousands of paratroopers and hundreds of military gliders during Operation Market Garden. The Liberation Route Son en Breugel takes visitors to places connected with the airborne landings and the operation. It is part of the Liberation Route Brabant, created by VisitBrabant and Brabant Remembers.
The Son en Breugel–Sint-Oedenrode walking stage is 25 kilometres long and marked with Liberation Route signs beneath the regular junction signs. The Liberation Route Son en Breugel partly follows narrow sandy and gravel paths. Before setting out, check the current route and trail conditions; route details and markers may change. This allows you to take the route’s historical focus into account when planning your walk without assuming that its exact course will remain unchanged.
Forest, Moorland Waters and Trails
Nearby, the Sonse Heide, which belongs to the municipality of Son en Breugel, and Best’s approximately 250-hectare Nieuwe Heide form a connected forest and nature area. The Nieuwe Heide lies east of the built-up area of Best. Pine forests remain in the Sonse Heide and are considered remnants of the landscape before the land was reclaimed; the large moorland lake Oud Meer lies in the forest.
The Natuurpad Oud Meer runs through the nature area around Oud Meer. At the start, you can scan a QR code with your smartphone to access the walking route and information about sights along the way. Check in advance whether the signs and QR access are still in place. For children, the trail includes activities and tasks that introduce them to nature. The trail is considered accessible year-round; nevertheless, check its current condition and any seasonal restrictions before your visit.
You can also discover the history of the landscape along the Dommel. When crossing the river between Son and Breugel, you can see a cut-off side channel by a bench, about 100 metres before junction KP-40. It was left behind after the Dommel was canalised. An information board explains how the landscape has changed over time.
Walking and Practical Information
IVN Son en Breugel makes some local walks available online for you to do independently on foot. Before setting off, check that your chosen route is still available. The IVN VroegeVogelWandeling is considered a long-standing tradition. Nearby, the cycle ride starts at Pieter Brueghelplein and continues to the Mosbulten, where the walk begins. Experienced birdwatchers help participants recognise different bird calls. Exact dates and arrangements vary from year to year, so check the details of the current edition in advance.
There is a blue zone in the centre of Son en Breugel. To park there, you must display a blue parking disc behind your windscreen. Check the signs on site. Whether you are mainly interested in architectural history, nature trails or the historical walking route, each topic offers its own starting point for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Son En Breugel, Son, Tilburg, Waalwijk, Bladel, Werkendam, Loon Op Zand, Baarle-Nassau.
Go to the overview of the wider region: North Brabant.
