An iodine-filled getaway in Knokke, a coastal town 30 minutes from Bruges

Those who love sand yachting gather between the seaside resorts of Oostduinkerke and De Panne. The latter, the closest to France, is one of the most beautiful on the coast. Its beach is also the largest. Its multicoloured bathing cabins give it a retro feel. In Coxyde, shrimp fishermen on horseback work at low tide depending on the season. The highest dune is 33 metres high. Heading back towards the Netherlands, you arrive in Ostend. This modern town has a marina and a casino. Its restaurants serve excellent fish. But while you're in Bruges, why not stop off in the pretty town of Knokke?

Snobbish is how the people of Knokke are perceived. The Belgians themselves have renamed the Place Albert, the heart of the luxury shops, the Place "have you seen me". With its Anglo-Norman style, the seaside resort of Knokke-le-Zoute, an ersatz of Saint-Tropez and Deauville, has built up quite a reputation. Situated on the North Sea coast of Belgium, the town is 5km from the Netherlands and 30 minutes from Bruges. Here, luxury villas rub shoulders with foreign limousines, while wealthy tourists visit the casino, the Scharpoord centre or one of the many art galleries. Chic and luxury are the watchwords. As a result, there's no escaping the summer peak, with the massive influx of wealthy holidaymakers. However, the resort has more to offer than just an image of a posh, pretentious American suburb with astronomical prices. Nearby is Zwin Parc Nature, a bird sanctuary. The highlight of the show: a dyke running alongside the dunes, the main feature of a totally wild beach. A landscape stretching as far as the eye can see.

The charm of this seaside resort lies above all in its long sandy beaches stretching all the way to Holland. A coastal town par excellence. In high season, you can see cabins as far as the eye can see on the beach. Small cottages that give the impression of a village, where holidaymakers store their belongings for the season. But more than that, it's a real place where families come together every year. Aperitifs on the beach, sand castles, fireworks, crepe paper flower shops - there's no better reason to get together 'to the cabin'. In summer, as everywhere else, the beaches are crowded and bustling. Knokke is known for its trendy nightlife and the affluent Zout district, where cars and luxury shops mingle.

In Knokke, there are plenty of flats for rent, on the seafront for the lucky ones, or a little more in the heart of the town. It's very common for Belgians to rent a small flat for a weekend or a holiday by the sea. However, there are a few hotels that will appeal to you. There are very few big hotels here, and you'll often find small family-run guesthouses in typical Flemish houses.

But Knokke is also a small, peaceful seaside resort in harmony with nature. To enjoy the calm after the storm, according to the Belgians, the best time to discover the town is off-season. You'll have miles of beach to yourself. With the wind blowing its iodised air along the seafront, the tide is out and it's time to go crabbing on the breakwaters. Along the way, pick up knives and other shells, and if you're careful, you may even find fossilised shark or ray teeth. You'll also spot those enigmatic swirls of sand formed by mud worms. The little ones will no doubt have fun calling them "sand poo-poos". An afternoon to enjoy the sea air of the Belgian coast, while appreciating the simple pleasures of life. It's the perfect way for the whole family to discover this haven of peace that is the North Sea. Then head off to warm up with a beer, or hot chocolate for those of you who are a little chilly, while enjoying a delicious crêpe or a hot waffle peppered with melting sugar. Finish the day with a magnificent sunset in the Heist dunes, just a stone's throw from the city centre.

But Knokke stands out from the other seaside resorts along Belgium's 100-kilometre coastline above all because of its nature park, the Zwin. Green, sandy, dunes. Magnificent birds bask here to the delight of young and old alike. Stretching 2.3 km along the coast, it is home to 200 different species of migratory birds over 200 hectares, 8 of which are completely open to visitors. Through paths and bridges, budding ornithologists can have a great time in this natural area, which has been designed as a "bird airport". A small museum devoted to the species even offers visitors the chance to award themselves a bird and follow its route. Once they've completed their task, a simulator lets them try their hand at flapping the wings of their chosen bird. The panoramic view from the observation post allows visitors to get up close and personal with the birds, whether they have come to hatch, hibernate or just to catch a gust of wind. Visitors can use telescopes and interactive screens to learn more about the birds. Storks, greylag geese and kestrels can all be seen, depending on the time of year. Insects and plants are also abundant in the park, demonstrating its biodiversity. The park also has a restaurant and a shop. It's sure to be a great family outing!