Etten-Leur, Hoeven, Bosschenhoofd

In the middle of Romanic Brabant stood the Dutch Reformed Church where the Reverend Van Gogh presided. In the rectory next to the church, his son Vincent decided to become an artist and this is where he made his first drawings and paintings. The church is still there and has since been given the painter's name. The Van Gogh Church introduces you to Vincent van Gogh's life during the time he lived in Etten. That period is reflected in nine colourful windows. If you are lucky, the organ from 1699 will be played during your visit. On the ground floor of the bell tower, you will find an extraordinary 420-year-old clock that still works.

You will also cycle past villages such as Zwartenberg, Bremberg and Klappenberg. Although the names suggest otherwise, you cycle here without much elevation change. In these outlying areas, there are many mills worth visiting. For instance, you pass the Zwartenberg mill, which pumped the polders dry before the advent of more modern pumping stations. Completely restored in the 1960s, it is the only functioning water mill in the region.

Dive even further into history at the Streekmuseum ‘t Oude Platteland in Sint Willebrord. Discover the life of hard-working farmers from the region around 1900. Can you imagine it?