© Ben Creemers
Oud-Rekem
About the village
The village centre of Oud-Rekem is a protected heritage site, making it a perfect destination for those who appreciate historic architecture, quaint streets, and heritage stories. Once an independent Heerlijkheid (Lordship) with its own currency, toll rights, military, and legal system, Rekem offers a true journey back in time. It’s no surprise that in 2008, Visit Flanders named Oud-Rekem the “Most Beautiful Village of Flanders”.
In the heart of the village, you’ll find three churches, a chapel, a castle, and a museum pharmacy, all beautifully preserved. Beneath the shade of the linden trees surrounding d’Aspremont-Lynden Castle, you can enjoy delicious food and drinks. To the north, you’ll encounter historic buildings from the period when Rekem served as a colony and institution for vagrants. Beyond these, the Oude Weerd nature area, managed by Natuurpunt, is the only site in RivierPark Maasvallei where donkeys are used for grazing.
From the parking areas in Oud-Rekem, it’s easy to walk to nearby Herbricht, Hochterbampd and Uikhoven (Maasmechelen).
Available activities
Hiking
- Oud-Rekem hiking area with its rich heritage, grazing animals, wild nature, donkeys, castles and art installations.
- Join a guided tour with a MaasVerkenner (Meuse Explorer)
- Take a self-guided tour through the village centre’s unique heritage sites and monuments using the FARO Heritage App (select the “Oud-Rekem Heritage Walk” tour), which also allows you to scan informational signs throughout the village.
Cycling
The extensive cycling network connecting Belgium and the Netherlands allows you to plan your own route by following clearly marked junctions in both directions. Set your own route length and direction, and take a ferry across the Meuse to explore the opposite shore —making cross-border cycling through RivierPark Maasvallei as easy as ever.
Start your journey from junction 58 in Oud-Rekem. Parking is available in the canal zone (P18, at the Kanaalstraat and Kanaal intersection), which also serves as the starting point for a suggested route on the RivierPark Maasvallei cross-border cycling map.
Points of interest
- d’Aspremont – Lynden castle
- Museum Church
- Apothecary Museum
- Distillerie Senden
- Café In de Oude God: a cosy village café with authentic decor.
Within walking or cycling distance from Oud-Rekem: ‘Tree of Life’ by artist Mark Dion (Art on the Meuse).
- Within walking or cycling distance from Oud-Rekem: Agricultural Museum Nostalgie in Uikhoven
