Valkenswaard
The municipality of Valkenswaard is an attractive combination of urban and rural elements. A wide variety of shops offer ample opportunities for those interested in shopping, and the many cafés and discos also make Valkenswaard a regional centre for those wishing to go out and have a good time.
Falconry
The history of Valkenswaard is inextricably intertwined with the traditional crafts of cigar making and falconry. It's no accident that the image of the falconer was chosen as the symbol for this municipality. A great deal of information about the history of falconry can be found simply by visiting the Cultural Historical Museum. Other interesting museums located in Valkenswaard include the Nederlands Steendruk Museum (Dutch Lithography Museum) and the Van Gerwen-Lemmens Museum.
For more information, go to: www.vvv-valkenswaard.nl.
Nederlands Steendrukmuseum (Dutch Lithography Museum)
The collection housed by the Nederlands Steendrukmuseum includes book illustrations, cartography, advertisements, and lithographs by well-known artists such as Kees van Dongen, Alphonse Mucha, Adolphe Willette and Jan Sluyters. But the collection also houses items such as playing cards, labels, postcards, prints, caricatures and (satirical) magazines. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also regularly exhibits the work of specific artists or works related to a particular theme.
Nature reserve
The rural area is located in and around the two parishes of Borkel & Schaft and Dommelen. Nature lovers can enjoy themselves to the fullest in the nature reserve of the Malpie, through which the Dommel River winds its way. Here you can also enjoy canoeing in a Canadian canoe or kayak.
Achelse Kluis
The Achelse Kluis, located on the edge of the municipality, is an important Burgundian attraction.
The Achelse Kluis was originally a conventicle for Catholics in the region who, in the 17th century under the influence of the Reformation, were not allowed to go to church. The fathers continually purchased more land for the farm associated with the monastery. This land was then cleared and used as farmland. The Tongelreep stream, which originally wound its way through the landscape, was straightened out in order to reduce the risk of flooding.
Dommelen
Dommelen is famous in the Netherlands in particular for the beer brewery located there. There is also a lovely watermill in Dommelen which is open for visitors.
Bicycle routes from Valkenswaard:
Bicycle route on a particular theme
Maaij-and Malpie route (15-43.5 km)
Hiking route from Valkenswaard:
Medium Distance Hiking Routes
Hasselsvennen route (8-20 km)
The route maps are available at all VVVs (tourist information offices) in Southeastern Brabant.
Eindhoven
For years, Eindhoven has been one of the leading technology oriented cities in Europe. Particularly during the last 100 years, Eindhoven has undergone a complete metamorphosis. Phillips and DAF have played an important role in this regard. Various museums display and illustrate this fascinating piece of history, including the Philips Gloeilampenfabriekje anno 1891 (light bulb factory from 1891), the Centrum Kunstlicht in de Kunst (Centre for Lighting in Art) and the DAF museum. In addition to these major historical attractions, there is also a leading modern art museum present: the Van Abbe Museum.
Genneper Parks
The Genneper Parks, a nature reserve on the edge of the city offers visitors a wide range of attractions, including the Tongelreep Swim Paradise, an ecological farm, the Environmental Education Centre, and the Eindhoven Historical Open-air museum.
Vincent van Gogh
From 1883 tot 1885, Vincent van Gogh lived in Nuenen. Many of the paintings he did while living here depict the local population and landscape, including the beautiful water mills. The time he spent in Nuenen was crowned by the masterpiece that he painted in 1885, ‘De Aardappeleters’ (The Potato Eaters). In 1984, Van Gogh was posthumously given the title of honourary citizen of Nuenen and a statue of him was put in place
Van Gogh documentation centre
In this documentation centre, visitors are provided with information about the two years spent by van Gogh in Nuenen, with the help of photographs and reproductions.
