Cycle Route Scheldt Route

Oudenaarde is a city in East Flanders . The town has a little over 30,000 inhabitants and is a convenient hub for cycling tourists because of its geographical location in the center of the Flemish Ardennes. The commune includes the villages of Bevere, Edelare, Eine, Ename, Heurne, Leupegem, Mater, Melden, Mullem, Nederename, and Volkegem en Welden.

Oudenaarde has been known for its tapestries. The industry flourished in the 16th century and remained very important until the 18th century.

See

• ⊙Town Hall and Belfry, Markt 1. The flamboyant Gothic-style town hall and its belfry were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, together with 31 other belfries across Flanders & Walloonia and later expanded to 56 buildings & belfies as Belfries of Belgium and France. The city hall houses a unique collection of Oudenaarde tapestries.
• ⊙Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen, Markt 43, ☎ +32 55 339933.Museum dedicated to the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) cycle race.
• ⊙MOU Museum Oudenaarde, Markt 1, ☎ +32 55 317251. 
• ⊙Beguinage, Burg. The oldest building in the beguinage dates back to 1500 and was the home of the rector. The houses in the beguinage are now flats for pensioners. The beguinage was proposed for the list of UNESCO World Heritage, but was not included in the list.
• ⊙Church of Our Lady of Pamele, Pamelekerkplein. The construction of the church began in 1234 on the banks of the Scheldt, and the Church of St Walburga near the market square, are both worth a visit. 
• ⊙Church of St. Walburga, Markt, ☎ +32 55 317251. This church is the largest in Oudenaarde and dominates the historical part of the town. 
• ⊙Maagdendale Monastery, Maagdendale. This Cistercian abbey dates back to the 12th century and has been on the current grounds since the 13th century. Most of the edifices are now used as a city archive and for the municipal art academy.