We went to western Belgium to visit one of a handful of still operating Trappist Abbey breweries, Westvleteren. They don't let you visit the brewery but there is a very busy cafe across the street, In de Vrede. It was scenic ride through the countryside to get to this.

Leper is a small city in western Belgium close to the French border. Leper is the official Flemish names but it is also known the be french Ypres. I heard multiple pronunciations. Leper was the sight of heavy trench fighting during WWI. The area of Flanders Field is near here. The city was completely destroyed by bombing and fires during the war. The center of the city was rebuilt to match the style of what existed before after the war. So although much of this looks old it was really all construction in the 20th century. Textiles were a major part of this areas trade starting in the middle ages (this is also true of Ghent and Bruges). The Cloth Hall now houses a WWI museum and the Belfry from which you can get an excellent view of the city.

The cathedral next to the Cloth hall has classic gothic construction. But it also houses some modern sculpture and paintings.

Vaulted ceilings in the cathedral

St. Martin's Cathedral in Leper

Inside the Cathedral

Painting in the Cathedral

Views from the Belfry

View of the cathedral

Inside the Museum

This is very popular with British tourist as many many British soldiers died in the battles here and many are buried here and the British choose not to repatriate their dead. What I did not realize was how many soldier from British and French colonies fought and died far from their native countries. Australia, India, Africa and others areas are represented by the variety of uniforms on display here.