Volkskundemuseum

At the Volkskundemuseum on Balstraat, a set of restored workers’ houses brings everyday life in Bruges into view. Walk through recreated homes, workshops, a classroom, a pharmacy and a patisserie, with objects linked to Flemish life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The visit is hands-on: you can try wooden shoes and traditional games, and watch videos about candy making. Families have plenty to explore, while the museum’s quieter setting outside the city centre suits a break from Bruges’ busiest sights.

Inside the workers’ houses

The museum is arranged across restored workers’ houses, with rooms set up to show how people in Bruges lived and worked in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Rather than presenting only objects in cases, it recreates settings such as a home, a schoolroom and local shops.

Look for the pharmacy, patisserie and classroom, as well as workspaces linked to trades such as tailoring, hatmaking and shoemaking. The rooms bring domestic life and local occupations together under one roof.

Try the activities

Some parts of the visit invite you to take part. You can try on wooden shoes and play traditional games in the area by the cafe. When the weather is fine, the outdoor space gives you room to play games such as skittles.

Videos about candy making add another view of local work and food traditions. A black cat named Aristide is also part of the museum experience, and may draw the attention of younger visitors.