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WELCOME TO THE GARDEN OF BRABANT

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

  • Efteling

    Efteling

    There 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 Duinen Shifting sand in the Loonse and Drunense Dunes

    In 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 Heusden

    With 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

    Schoenenkwartier photo of visitors at museum the shoe quarter.

    Discover 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.

    View all routes

MUST SEE & MUST DO - In The Langstraat

  • 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.

    Browse the magazine

    Picnic with a group of friends at the Lido in Waalwijk - with Volkswagen camper vans

THE BEST EVENTS - something for everyone

  • 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.

    Learn more about leather & shoes

    Yellow shoe developed at Schoenenkwartier.

INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE LANGSTRAAT

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.

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Stay tuned for all the news!

There is plenty to see and experience in De Langstraat. Read about it in our inspiration magazine.

The magazine is available for free at numerous hospitality venues in the region and our TIPs.

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