Discover The Langstraat
garden of wonder
Welcome to De Langstraat: the green leisure region of Brabant, located between the attractive Brabant cities of 's-Hertogenbosch, Tilburg and Breda. The region where a friendly atmosphere, being together and entertainment are central. With in addition to major tourist attractions as the fortified town of Heusden, Efteling, Schoenenkwartier and National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen, numerous unique pearls in the municipalities of Loon op Zand, Waalwijk and Heusden that are well worth a visit. Have fun in De Langstraat: garden of Brabant!
THE ICONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
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Efteling
EftelingThere is a place where you forget the world around you for a moment. Where one moment you are floating among trolls and fairies in Droomvlucht and the next moment you are going to battle the dragon in the double wooden racer roller coaster Joris en de Draak. Efteling: World of wonders!
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De Loonse en Drunense Duinen
De Loonse en Drunense DuinenIn National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen you will find forest, purple moors, water bodies and lots of sand. The wind can blow there undisturbed, creating an ever-changing landscape. That, and the changing of the seasons, make every visit a new experience.
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Fortified town of Heusden
Fortified town of HeusdenWith its picturesque streets, centuries-old buildings, many studios and galleries, unusual stores, well-equipped harbors and top restaurants, fortified Heusden is a great destination for lovers of art, culture, history, water sports and good food and drink.
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Schoenenkwartier
SchoenenkwartierDiscover the history and future of shoes and leather at Schoenenkwartier. Located in the west wing of the restored Kropholler complex in Waalwijk, in the heart of Langstraat. A must for lovers of shoes, design, architecture, art and culture!
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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ROUTES
Vast dunes, estates, pine forests, marshes, Scottish Highlanders and the basin of the Bergsche Maas; all ingredients that make De Langstraat a wonderful area. With an extensive offer for cyclists, hikers mountain bikers, horse riders, horsemen, water sports enthusiasts and other outdoor enthusiasts.
MUST SEE & MUST DO - In The Langstraat
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Schoenenkwartier: museum, shoe lab and knowledge center
Schoenenkwartier: museum, shoe lab and knowledge centerWaalwijk
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Marvilla Parks Kaatsheuvel (recreation park Het Genieten and Grand Café Sands)
Marvilla Parks Kaatsheuvel (recreation park Het Genieten and Grand Café Sands)Kaatsheuvel
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DE LANGSTRAAT MAGAZINE
With De Langstraat Magazine we present all the beauty that De Langstraat has to offer for visitors and residents of the region. Get the magazine for free at our Tourist Information Points or view the online version. Also available at more than 150 catering and recreation venues in and around the region.
THE BEST EVENTS - something for everyone
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Discover the beauty of the Langstraat by bicycle
Discover the beauty of the Langstraat by bicycleuntil October 1, 2025
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Find out all about the children of Slot Loevestein
Find out all about the children of Slot Loevesteinuntil May 12
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'Opposites | Differently Connected' exhibition at Slot Loevestein
'Opposites | Differently Connected' exhibition at Slot Loevesteinuntil March 2, 2025
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Jurijn Jojakim Branderhorst in the House of Waalwijk
Jurijn Jojakim Branderhorst in the House of WaalwijkSunday, April 28
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The mouse house - Sam and Julia in the cinema (AL)
The mouse house - Sam and Julia in the cinema (AL)April 30, May 4
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Join the soldier school at Slot Loevestein
Join the soldier school at Slot LoevesteinWednesday, May 1
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An evening with Jort Kelder and Maarten Prak at Slot Loevestein: from then to now!
An evening with Jort Kelder and Maarten Prak at Slot Loevestein: from then to now!friday, may 3
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SHOES, LEATHER AND MORE
The Langstraat is a place of old trades. In many places you can still encounter the rich past. Old tanneries and shoe factories go hand in hand with modern studios and art. And thanks to beautiful walking and cycling routes, you can easily discover the sights.
INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE LANGSTRAAT
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Pearl of The Langstraat: De Bazeroen, Heusden
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of The Langstraat: De Bazeroen, HeusdenAt the end of my workday, there is another appointment in my calendar. And not just any appointment: I get to go to De Bazeroen Mannenmode in Heusden! Not to shop, of course, but to...
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Zuiderwaterlinie and De Langstraat
| Visit The LangstraatZuiderwaterlinie and De LangstraatThe Zuiderwaterlinie forms a unique series of historic fortified towns and surrounding areas linked by the authentic story of defending the Netherlands on water.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: Coco Vintage Touren, Drunen
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: Coco Vintage Touren, DrunenThe question "Shall we take a little tour? Then you can experience for yourself what it's like to hit the road in a Volkswagen T2 van." appears in my mailbox after I made a blog appointment at Coco Vintage Touren in Drunen. Well, that sounds like a good idea!
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Pearl of The Langstraat: Slijterij De Langstraat, Waalwijk
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of The Langstraat: Slijterij De Langstraat, WaalwijkFrom our office it is only a few minutes walk to Slijterij De Langstraat. So I frequent the place to pick out some tasty beers for the weekend. It's always cozy there, and I feel like...
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Candlelight shopping Heusden Vesting
| Visit The LangstraatCandlelight shopping Heusden VestingIt's almost Christmas already and that means: Christmas market season! Scattered throughout the Netherlands you can find countless, beautiful Christmas markets. One of the most atmospheric is perhaps that of the medieval fortified town of Heusden.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: D'n Berepot, Nieuwkuijk
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: D'n Berepot, NieuwkuijkNever thought I would ever go to a pancake restaurant at 9:00am on a Tuesday morning. Although some would love a pancake for breakfast, that is not the purpose of my visit. I have an appointment with...
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Experience tile De Langstraat
| Visit The LangstraatExperience tile De LangstraatYou can see the most beautiful sights in North Brabant in De Langstraat. The beautiful municipalities each have their own unique atmosphere, character, identity and history.
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Pearl of The Langstraat: De Financiën, Loon op Zand
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of The Langstraat: De Financiën, Loon op ZandOn a drizzly Thursday morning I drive to my appointment at Pancake Restaurant De Financiën in Loon op Zand. As I drive past the Efteling my navigation indicates that I will be there in 4 minutes.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: Schoenenkwartier
| Toby van DijkPearl of De Langstraat: SchoenenkwartierThe shoe museum in Waalwijk is back! And in what a place. The west wing of the national monumental Kropholler complex in the heart of Langstraat is the new home of the shoe museum.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: De Rustende Jager
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: De Rustende JagerOn a beautiful sunny Thursday morning, I drive to my appointment at De Rustende Jager. This catering establishment has been a household name in the De Langstraat region for more than 100 years.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: Berg & Braam
| Toby van DijkPearl of De Langstraat: Berg & BraamOn a slightly gray day, I set out. By e-bike, that is. It is just a short bike ride away. I get to visit John and Gerry Braam in Heusden for coffee.
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Pearl of The Langstraat: Conferentiecentrum Abdijhof Mariënkroon
| Toby van DijkPearl of The Langstraat: Conferentiecentrum Abdijhof MariënkroonAre you familiar with Abbey Mariënkroon? Have you never heard of it? Sit back and relax. There's plenty to tell you about it!
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Pearl of De Langstraat: De Hoge Heide, Vlijmen
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: De Hoge Heide, VlijmenToday I have an appointment at the Hoge Heide in Vlijmen. I have had to accept my loss there several times after a game of bowling, but now I am going there to talk to the entrepreneur, Peter de Ruijter, and write a blog about it.
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Pearl of The Langstraat: Saint John the Baptist Church, Waalwijk
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of The Langstraat: Saint John the Baptist Church, WaalwijkWhile working at the RBT office in downtown Waalwijk, my colleagues and I are faithfully treated every day to the sound of the bells of St. John the Baptist Church. You know, that beautiful church with the many copper domes.
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Pearl of the Langstraat: The Coat of Arms of Heusden
| Toby van DijkPearl of the Langstraat: The Coat of Arms of HeusdenIt's Friday morning, I'm taking the exit off the N267 near Heesbeen. I am on my way to 't Wapen van Heusden, located in the middle of Vismarkt in the picturesque fortified town of Heusden.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: Ice cream & cake moment, Vlijmen
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: Ice cream & cake moment, VlijmenFriday morning, I almost have the weekend. Lovely, that feeling. But there is another appointment in my calendar that I am also really looking forward to. I get to visit IJs en Taartmoment, a beautiful store in the center of Vlijmen.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: Stichting Bende van de Witte Veer
| Toby van DijkPearl of De Langstraat: Stichting Bende van de Witte VeerDiving into the past is something we love to do; it remains exciting to see what happened in the past. There is also an exciting story to tell about Brabant in the early 1700s, namely the story of The White Feather Gang.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: GuestHouse Hotel Kaatsheuvel
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: GuestHouse Hotel KaatsheuvelOn a sunny Wednesday morning I am on my way to my appointment at GuestHouse Hotel Kaatsheuvel. As I drive past the Efteling I am amazed at the amount of cars that enter the grounds there.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: De Emmamolen, Nieuwkuijk
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: De Emmamolen, NieuwkuijkOn a sunny Tuesday morning in March, I visit De Emmamolen in Nieuwkuijk. An 1886 mill named after Queen Emma. I remember the mill from my childhood, as a landmark during a bike ride or walk.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: De Annahoeve
| Vittoria RoiteroPearl of De Langstraat: De AnnahoeveOn a Wednesday afternoon in March, I visit De Annahoeve in De Moer. A dairy farm near the Efteling and on the edge of nature reserve Huis ter Heide.
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11 times what to do in Waalwijk
| Krisja van de Haar11 times what to do in WaalwijkWaalwijk, a cozy town in the heart of Brabant known for shoes and leather. But that's not the only thing, because there is a lot to do in Waalwijk. Therefore, a list full of tips so every Brabander or visitor knows exactly what to do in Waalwijk.
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Pearl of The Langstraat: Carly Design Heusden
| Céline ChardonnensPearl of The Langstraat: Carly Design HeusdenIn the center of the historic fortified town of Heusden is the unique store Carly Design. Here you can find beautiful luxury items, made from leather originating from Brabant workshops.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: café brasserie De Kiosk
| Céline ChardonnensPearl of De Langstraat: café brasserie De KioskOn the recommendation of a friend, I went for a drink at The Kiosk.
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Pearl of The Langstraat: In d'n Kaarsenstal Heusden
| Céline ChardonnensPearl of The Langstraat: In d'n Kaarsenstal HeusdenRBT employee Céline Chardonnens went to take a look at In d'n Kaarsenstal in Heusden, where practicing a centuries-old craft is number one.
Read more about Pearl of The Langstraat: In d'n Kaarsenstal Heusden
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Special year for Loon op Zand as Walking Community 2021
| Samantha PellisSpecial year for Loon op Zand as Walking Community 2021What a special year 2021 was for the municipality of Loon op Zand! Thanks to the votes of everyone who cares about our municipality, Loon op Zand was voted the 2021 Walking Municipality of the Year.
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Searching for Boulders in the Loonse Land
| Samantha PellisSearching for Boulders in the Loonse LandHidden between the vast natural areas of the Loonse and Drunense Dunes and Huis ter Heide lies an intimate landscape, the Loonse Land. Straight through this Loonse Land runs the Keienspoor: a special walking route especially for children.
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Lovely walks in The Brand
| Samantha PellisLovely walks in The BrandThat Wandelgemeente Loon op Zand has many special natural areas is no surprise by now. South of De Loonse en Drunense Duinen lies De Brand. A special piece of nature that is different in everything from the well-known Dunes.
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Walking in historic Plantloon
| Samantha PellisWalking in historic PlantloonWelcome to the Plantloon Estate, perhaps the best kept secret in the municipality of Loon op Zand. This natural cultural landscape is located north of De Loonse en Drunense Duinen. History is an important part of nature here.
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Walking along traces of war past
| Lobke TimmermansWalking along traces of war pastThat the National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen has a rich past is no surprise to most people. For a hundred years the nature reserve has enjoyed the protection of Natuurmonumenten. A lot has happened in those hundred years.
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Pearl of De Langstraat: De Financiën
| Lobke TimmermansPearl of De Langstraat: De FinanciënDe Financiën has long been a household name in Loon op Zand. Kids and parents alike can enjoy themselves to the fullest here. I was allowed to visit to find out how they do it! Curious? Read on!
FROM NATURE GARDEN TO WATER GARDEN
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nature garden
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living lab
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playground
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learning garden
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water garden
AND FROM ROUTE GARDEN TO SHOPPING GARDEN
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route garden
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dream garden
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atmospheric garden
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nursery garden
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cultural garden
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shopping garden
The history of The Langstraat - back in time
De Langstraat is the name used for centuries to designate the central area in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It originated from a dike built after the St. Elisabeth Flood, from east to west through a swampy landscape located between the Meuse River and the higher sandy grounds. Along this, farmers settled and a ribbon of settlements developed.
For centuries, from the 13th to 17th centuries, peat extraction was the main source of income here. Farmers reclaimed the land in long strips, separated by ditches or hedges, perpendicular to the dike; the so-called stroke landscape. Due to the regular flooding of the outer polders, the grass was of extremely firm quality and until the 19th century hay farming played an important role in the region. With the golden trinity (cattle, forests of oaks and running water) within reach, a flourishing shoe and leather industry developed in De Langstraat in the 18th century.
Since the decline of shoe production, the region was forced to move in another direction. In 1933, a sports park was built in the village of Kaatsheuvel. This was the basis for the Efteling, which has grown into the largest amusement park in the Benelux. Partly due to the growth of the Efteling, De Langstraat is now strongly focused on leisure and there is an enormous amount to do and discover.