The ramparts of Retranchement, built according to the Old Dutch fortification system, forms a nature reserve that connects many landscape elements, such as dikes, meadows, hedges and trees. Remains of the "Oranje" and "Nassau" forts can still be found there. The walk starts on these ramparts in the center of this small village in Zeeland.
Distance: 15 km.
Time: 4h30.
Grade: Moderate.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: No.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: Flat.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: None.
Hiking shoes recommended.
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The forts Oranje and Nassau.
We step over the old defense walls from a glorious past of the Netherlands. Numerous ramparts have been built along both sides of the old lough of the Zwin that can be found in the landscape. The tour continues through the beautiful polder landscape along country roads and low-traffic roads. Via Cadzand-village it goes to Cadzand-bath where the beautiful and pleasant walking and cycling embankment gives you a few nice views over the North Sea. You can see the Zwin in the distance. We return to the beautiful path along the drainage canal to take another part of ramparts route, after which we arrive back at our starting point.
POI 1 - Retranchement.
Before Retranchement became a quiet polder village, it was an important military stronghold that dominated the estuary of the Zwin. Retranchement is French for: bulwark or reinforcement. Retranchement was reinforced in the flanks by two forts: Fort Oranje in the north and Fort Nassau in the south. Fort Oranje was wiped off the map by a flood, but Fort Nassau still holds its ground. The ramparts now has a protected status as a nature reserve.
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POI 2 - Mill of Retranchement.
The Rentranchement mill is a corn and peel mill. The standerdmill is still traditionally on Molenstraat and dates from 1818. Before that there was a mill on the same spot. It was built in 1643, but has been knocked over. Ever heard of wind rights? The first owner of the mill, Bartolemeus de Vos, had to pay three guilders' rent per year for the use of the wind.
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