Jaunted

Animals / Animal Travel / Bruges Travel / Belgium Travel / Doggies / → All Tags

Bruges' Most Famous Son is a Bit Furrier Than You'd Expect

Guido Gezelle, the Flemish poet. Philip I of Castile, Spain’s first Habsburg ruler. Tony Parker, the marriage wrecker basketball player. It’s fair to say that Bruges hasn’t given birth to many A listers.

But do not fear, because these days there’s a celeb who not only lives in Bruges but appears daily for photograph sessions with his fans. He even made a cameo appearance in In Bruges.

His name is Fidel, he’s a golden Labrador, and he lives at the Côté Canal bed and breakfast overlooking the main canal. But he’s better known as “that dog who’s in every person who goes to Bruges’ photo album”.

more ›

Museums / Belgium Travel / Food Travel / → All Tags

Museum Opening: Belgium Loves (Not French) Fries

Bet you didn't know that some people think French fries should really be called Belgian fries. The belief that fries were first invented in Belgium is so strong that quirky collector Eddy Van Belle has just opened the Friet Museum in Brugge.

The museum takes up three small floors in one of Brugge's oldest buildings and covers the (controversial) history of fries, even heading back to Peru in 15,000 BC to a possible beginning to one of the world's favorite snacks. There are also all manner of related artifacts including both antique and modern deep fryers, and even a film to teach you how to make the perfect fry.

Entry to the Friet Museum is a reasonable €6 ($9), but of course you'll also have to factor in some purchases of fries--even if you weren't hungry to start with, seeing all these displays is going to give you a bit of a craving. The museum sells them in paper cones or you can find them on pretty much any corner you look in Brugge. Just don't ask for French fries when you place your order.

Related Stories:
· Land of the Friet [Guardian]
· Friet Museum [Official Site]
· Belgium Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Scott Ableman]