Could the canal be one of the most photographed spots in Sluis? We owe this beautiful spot to the French Emperor, Napoleon. The Napoleon Canal is also known as “De Damse Vaart”. The canal was dug on Napoleon's orders by Spanish prisoners of war between 1812 and 1814. Napoleon wanted to create a connection between Bruges and Breskens on the Western Scheldt. Because of Napoleon's defeat, the canal was only dug as far as the city of Sluis. The canal was opened in 1858; from that time on there was shipping traffic in Sluis until the siphons were blown up by French troops in 1940 and shipping was no longer possible. The siphons were never restored.
Today, the Damse Vaart is used purely for recreation, for activities such as fishing, swimming competitions and pedal boating.
Horse-drawn barges and steamboats
Wander back in time to the days of horse-drawn barges and steamboats...
Shortly after 1854, a horse-drawn barge service was established between Sluis and Bruges. The journey to Sluis could take as long as 3 hours. The Flemish barges had (just like today's restaurants) a good reputation when it came to dining. Around 1750, a traveller boarded who treated himself to 3 platters featuring, among other things, marinated herring, roasted leg of mutton, stewed veal, cheese, nuts and fruit tart. He declared to his employer two stuivers for the journey and one guilder and ten stuivers "for food consumed on board". Around 1865, a steamboat service was introduced.
A wonderful story, isn't it? You can still dine beautifully in Sluis today.
