Houses /Churches /others at night., Brugge

Walking in the streets of Brugge when the bulk of visitors have left is an awesome experience. Suddenly, hearing the carriages and the horses running is not annoying anymore. In daylight, this could be just so because it's so crowded, this unusual sound and sighting are just stressing, making you think of a fake reality. However, at night, it's just so romantic.

How many times haven't I imagined those scenes of carriages in the dark, running in cobblestoned streets, delivering some important persons (or their lovers, their spouses) at the foot of their townhouses ? Though those persons don't want to get noticed. The carriage driver with his black hat and a black windbreaker. The carriage passes near to you, pedestrian, just moves quickly. You just have the idea that it was his last hour of service... He is tired, just revigorated by the fresh air brushing his face. Read Edith Wharton describing 19th century New York society in winter. You'll get the point. :-)

And the sights ? Hmmm.. I've told a lot about the waters, the twinkling lights in the dark, some lighting that reveals the shape of some building...

After some walk, though... you may need to get warm ? If it is cold, you may stop at some pubs for beer or other warm drinks of your choice.
I'd choose some spots near the beguinage area, though. The center would not be as serene as here.

What a nightlife !

Dress Code: In winter, raincoat or windbreaker or a full coat. Your shawl, probably a hood on and you go !

This is what I meant. The most romantic spot of Brugge gets even more romantic at night: Minnewater! There were hardly any people here (Brugge is a real day trip destination, the streets get empty in the evenings!), the reflections of the buildings and trees in the water, silence (apart from the constant clicking of cameras when you are here with VTers)..... beautiful!

This view took my breath away. The lights at St. Janshospitaal, the reflections in the water ..... soooo beautiful. I thought it couldn't get any better. See the next tip and see that it can always get better ;)

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Stroll through the city, along the canals and stop at one of the many terraces.
Soak in the pretty pictures of houses in lights, and reflections on the water.
Then stop at one of the pubs and taste a good Bruges beer like Brugse triple.

Back on Rozenhoedekaai with many great restaurants and a very special medieval atmosphere with all these houses built of stones.

And it was almost empty of people at 11.00 p.m. , when I made my walk in July 2002.

During the other day it was very hard to take pics, as busloads of tourists started here to go on river-cruises

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Kerk
Church of Our Lady - Liebfrauenkirche

It's absolutely worth to have a look inside in order to see the famous " madonna and child " by Michelangelo.

Of course its locked at night - but you may do it the next morning

Take a walk now to Rozenhoedekaij, where most of the cruise-boats will be anchored at night.

There are plenty of good restaurants around that place and you will have a great view otowards the Belfry

This big square is just behind the Provincial court and you may walk there from the Grandplace within 3 minutes

From the right :
The Basilica of the Holy Blood
The City Hall with its great gothic fassade
The Reformer's Palace