The Ramparts of Retranchement combine a precise historical date with a landscape that can still be seen today: they were built as a defensive structure in 1604 during the Eighty Years’ War. Today, they form a nature area of about 27 hectares with a varied landscape.

Defence and Border History

Around 1643, Fort Berchem was established as Redoute Berchem on the site of the vanished Fort Terhofstede. The fort was reconstructed in 2010 based on archaeological research. A drawbridge leads to Fort Berchem from the Oude Zeedijk. Access conditions may change, so please follow the signs on site. Together with the ramparts, the fort traces a sequence from their construction in 1604, through the redoubt around 1643, to the reconstruction in 2010.

The Drieling van Retranchement consists of three border posts in a straight line marking the Dutch-Belgian border, and is considered unique in the Netherlands. The two marker posts were placed 135.5 ells from the actual border; a third post, numbered 364, was added in 1869. The 135.5 ells refers to the distance between the two marker posts and the actual border; at the same time, the three posts form a line marking the border.

Hiking and Nature

Two hiking options can be distinguished by their landmarks. The route across the ramparts passes pollarded willows, border posts and bunkers; one section runs from the picnic area on Dorpstraat to Fort Nassau and is marked with wooden posts. “Wandelen langs ’t Zwin” runs from Cadzand-Bad to Retranchement and passes through the Het Zwin nature area. This special nature area includes mudflats, salt marshes and dunes. With a little luck, you may hear tree frogs in the ramparts. One route follows waypoints on the ramparts, while the other connects its two towns with a passage through Het Zwin.

There is an unpaved car and bicycle parking area on Molenstraat, along the hiking route across the Ramparts of Retranchement. Dogs are allowed on the ramparts’ hiking trails if kept on a leash. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash, in areas where cows roam freely. Rules for these areas may change, so please follow the signs on site.

Architectural Heritage and Other Planning Points

The Dutch Reformed Church, a modest hall church, stands at Dorpsstraat 16 in Retranchement. Lesenes are narrow, vertical strips of masonry that reinforce the wall surfaces here. Arched windows, a hipped roof and a roof turret are also features of the building’s architecture.

The foundation’s 2023 annual report mentions the former Dutch Reformed Church in Retranchement as a venue for cultural and social events such as concerts, exhibitions and lectures. The programme may change, so check dates before your trip if you want to attend a specific event.

Molen Retranchement on Molenstraat is a grain and hulling mill dating from 1818 and is one of the oldest post mills in the Netherlands. The e-bike charging network in West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen also includes a charging point in Retranchement.

Discover more destinations: Schoondijke, Groede, Breskens, Ijzendijke, Aardenburg, Zuidzande, Sluis, Nieuwvliet

Return to the main travel overview: Sluis.