The Great Flanders Shop Window

Flanders is a shopaholic’s idea of heaven: think chocolate, diamonds, beer, jenever and fashion, to say nothing of the local food delicacies. All make terrific gifts or souvenirs to take back home but there are plenty of other items to look for as well.

Lace: Flanders, and Bruges in particular, has been famous for exquisite handmade lace for centuries. Kneedlepoint lace was made in the Flemish weaving cities in the 16th century followed a little later by the equally intricate bobbin lace. Both varieties require deft fingers and concentration to achieve the delicate final product. Brussels, Antwerp and Mechelen were also centres for lace making and in fact Mechelen was one of the lace towns that developed its own intricate stitch. Not surprisingly handmade lace is very expensive so the majority of lace on sale is machine made. A revival of the traditional lace making skills is taking place and indeed lace making courses are becoming popular.

Tapestry: As with lace making so with tapestries, Flemish weavers led the field, especially those from Brussels and Mechelen. They are produced to this day in Mechelen at the Royal Tapestry Manufacturers De Wit.

Luggage and Leather: For good quality and style look out for handbags and purses bearing the mark “Delvaux”. If you need an extra suitcase to bring your purchases home go for Flemish brands like Kipling or Hedgren.

BARGAIN HUNTERS BOUNTY

Antiques: There are many antique shops in Flanders and especially Brussels. Try the shops in the Sablon district, or visit little shops on Rue Haute and Rue Blaes. If you are in Brussels over a weekend it is back to the Sablon district for in the Place du Grand Sablon you will find stall after stall selling anything from antiques to collectables to trinkets. Other weekend antique markets are St Jacobs in Ghent, or the Dijver in Bruges held March to October.The largest market in the Benelux region is held every Sunday in Tongeren, offering a large range of old curiosities and antiques and is a good place to find a bargain. 

General Markets: Take your pick from the many permanent markets, touring markets, antique markets and flea markets. Highly recommended and selling lots of interesting food are Ghent’s Sunday morning market in St Michielspleien and Antwerp’s Vogelmarkt (6am-3pm Sat/Sun). For a really lively flea market don’t miss the one on Place du Jeu-de-Balle, Brussels (daily am).

Mustard and Sweets: Ghent is the city for anybody who loves sweets of all descriptions or different flavoured tangy mustards. Visit Tierenteyn-Verlent on Groentenmarkt for mustards and Temmerman on Kraanlei for confectionary.

Tintin: Devotees of Tintin should head for the Tintin Shop on Steenstraat, Bruges or Boutique Tintin, Rue de la Colline, Brussels. Many of the flea markets sell Tintin themed objects and collectables and those with a keen eye for this much loved character, can find such items in abundance.

Maasmechelen village outlet shopping is an outlet shopping mall offering plenty of famous Flemish brands for discounted prices.

Bargain clothing, luggage and international designer labels are on sale with generous discounts here. situated near the cities of hasselt and Tongeren, it can be visited easily by car, train and bus.

 

 

 

 

 

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