La Brugeoise, entrance gate on Baron Ruzettelaan

Along Baron Ruzettelaan, stands a picture-perfect monument that needs our attention and care: the La Brugeoise Gate. This monumental gate is one of the rare overt witnesses to the industrial history of the city of Bruges.

La Brugeoise

The gate highlights the former main access to the La Brugeoise industrial site from Baron Ruzettelaan. The company La Brugeoise et Nivelles - now Alstom - was and still is a world player in the field of (train and tram) mobility. As a symbol of that rich past, this gate tells both the story of the company and its role as an employer in the Bruges region, and of its employees and the neighbourhood.

Its role as the main entrance to the company site has since fallen away. Nevertheless, the gate still forms an important architectural-historical and landscape element in the street wall of Baron Ruzettelaan. It still connects; to the company, but equally to the bicycle bridge behind, cycle paths and school.

A meaningful and prudent recovery

The gate was listed on 9 July 1999, along with La Brugeoise's historic power station, its surroundings with adjacent houses are protected as a townscape.
La Brugeoise Gate urgently needs our help. A lack of care resulted in neglect and damage to the monument.

Bruges Foundation recently acquired ownership of this gate with the intention of restoring it and telling its story.

Together with Heritage Flanders and the city authorities, Bruges Foundation already drew up an ambitious, step-by-step plan to tackle all aspects of the gate.

The estimate for works at the gate is now around €150,000.

Brugge Foundation is waiting for approval of the management plan and commitment of grants for certain works.

Start of first works: September 2024
Completion: early 2026
Road approach: in consultation with city of Bruges

We are looking for you!

  • Join us in restoring La Brugeoise Gate to its glory.
  • Preserve the gate's unique charm and preserve it for future generations.
  • Be a direct part of the history and future of this monument.
  • Share what you know about this gate and the company La Brugeoise with us! Then we will soon be able to share it with everyone.

HOW DO YOU HELP US?
Become a VOLUNTEER and support us in this project and provide us with STORIES, DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOS.

SUPPORT us FINALLY. Your contribution, however small or in any form, does make a big difference!

Become a FRIEND OF THE BRUGGE FOUNDATION now and join us in giving Bruges' heritage a new purpose. Thanks to the FRIEND OF BRUGGE FOUNDATION, you donate online via THE KONING BOUDEWIJNSTICHTING (KBS).

Do you give more than 40 euros a year? Then you get a tax rebate of 45%.
Thank you for supporting this piece of Bruges heritage!

THE GATE IS OPEN... WRITE HISTORY WITH US!

Want to know more?

The preliminary draft of our management plan for this gate and site can be viewed here.