See the history of Belgian Fries, then eat some!
People always underestimate how much there is to learn about potatoes and fries. If you want to get away from the crowds in Bruges, Belgium or if you’re just a huge fries lover, a visit to the Frietmuseum is a great option. Stop in and say you saw something weird in Bruges!
See the history of Belgian Fries,
then eat some!
My Frietmuseum experience in Bruges
On a damp Sunday I bought a ticket in a packaged ticket deal which also included the Chocolate museum in Bruges. The Frietmuseum in Bruges, Belgium sketches the history of the potato, Belgian fries and the various sauces and dressings that accompany the Belgian fries.
Through the two floors you can learn about the history of the potato and its spread across the world. From the origins of the potatoes, through pests and processing to modern day. All products are displayed with informative texts in Dutch, French, and English. I didn’t realise so many types of fries existed.
After learning more about the different types of potatoes and fries, I was intrigued by a truly impressive collection of related memorabilia. Rows of old chip fryers and chip adverts following on from room after room of odd shaped potatoes, cartoons with chips in, and models of people digging up potatoes really made for a pretty uninspiring walk-through.
Tip: keep an eye out for the videos of musical instruments made from potatoes being played!
In the end you can visit the medieval cellars of the museum and sample some fries. The shop boasts a large menu. You get a discount on the fries with the entrance ticket, but this just brings them to the price of fries on the street stalls. For beverages, quite an array of soft drinks and beers are available. At the exit, there’s also a small gift shop with a selection of souvenirs to suit all pockets.
Location of Frietmuseum in Bruges
The Frietmuseum is situated in the heart of Bruges in a fascinating old building (Vlamingstraat 33, 8000 Bruges). The road to the museum brings you along nice buildings and places if you decide to cycle or walk. If you are coming from the Belfry and famous Market Square, it’s just a short walk to the museum. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and I would allocate around 45 minutes to explore the museum if you are keen to read all displays.
Contact details
- Phone: +32 50 34 01 50
- E-mail: info@frietmuseum.be
- Website: www.frietmuseum.be
Price information and opening times
Individuals:
| Adults | € 7,00 |
| seniors 65+ | € 6,00 |
| Children up to 11 years old | € 5,00 |
| Children up to 5 years | Free |
| Group (from 15 people, reservation required) | € 6,00 |
There’s also a possibility to buy a combination ticket: Choco-Story/Belgian Fries Museum: € 14.50. Combination ticket Choco-Story/Belgian Fries Museum/Lumina Domestica: € 16.50.
Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm (last tickets at 4.15pm). Closing dates: 25th December, 1st January and the 2nd week of January.
Tip: visit the museum near lunch time because you can sample some fries in the cellars of the museum.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend some time in Bruges on a damp day. I think the museum is a bit overpriced, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. It’s a bit of an expensive visit, but it contains lots of information, a truly impressive collection of related memorabilia, and some interesting films. If you really are interested in fries to the extent that you want to walk 3 floors of potato related displays then go for it, but given how many amazing museums and beautiful places there are in Bruges, you might want to skip the Frietmuseum.
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