Ghent – 3am Poutine

· by · in Churches & Cathedrals, Ghent, Medieval/Middle Ages, Road Trip. ·

Looking up The Belfry

We circled around Ghent looking for food, not expecting to find much, being willing to settle upon convenience store snacks if need be, when we cross ‘The Belfry’.

Belfry towers were common in Flemish medieval cities, used as watch towers, treasuries and symbols of power. This one, built 700 years ago, was particularly ornate and well lit – which made for a nice effect at night.

Ghent Architecture Ghent

There were plenty of people hanging around the canal, drinking, singing, holding hands and even a few swimming! The atmosphere was festive and joyous – everyone smiling and friendly.

The Canal Ghent

Apparently Ghent is the ‘hipster’ capital of Belgium. I can believe that – with lots of fashionable, artsy looking young people milling about – of course our opinions were formed between the hours of midnight and 3am!

Small Medieval Door

Luckily we came across a kiosk serving poutine – with every kind of topping possibility imaginable. The first thing I noticed was a Canadian flag amongst the dozens on its exterior, and like many other tourists before us I am sure, we immediately felt welcomed.

Best Poutine Ghent

As soon as we approached the door to enter, the staff turned the volume up on the music already playing through the shop, and started dancing!

Of course (much to my husbands embarrassment), I had to join. We had a little 3 minute ‘dance off’, punctuated with clapping, cheers and yelling before ordering our food.

Poutine Guys

I told them I had to photograph the winners for posterity sake, and though they didn’t fully understand what I was saying, they happily agreed.

Not something I usually do (take photos of random people) – but I wanted to remember how hilarious they were. They really made our night.

Full of Poutine

Satisfied, after eating the most glorious heart-attack-inducing poutine ever, we were ready to pull out of fabulous, festive Ghent, Belgium and continue on our merry way to France.

Additional photos in the slideshow.

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You can follow this trip by heading to the ‘8 Country EU Tour‘ section, and you can enjoy many more photos of Belgium by heading to the Habitual Runaway on Facebook.

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5 responses to “Ghent – 3am Poutine”

    • Ghent was really spectacular. Some of the architecture was more than 800+ years old – it was really something to be standing in and around it….even creepy in some places with the dark stone….AWESOME!

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