Knokke

Knokke is a town in the municipality of Knokke-Heist, located in the province of West Flanders, Belgium. As of 2007, the town has 15,708 inhabitants, while the larger municipality had 33,818 residents as of 2009. Situated on the Belgian coast, Knokke is the most northeastern seaside resort and borders the Netherlands through the Zwin nature reserve. The town’s origins are tied to the construction of dikes protecting the Zwin sea-arm.

Initially a vacation spot for Brussels’ city dwellers in the early 19th century, Knokke attracted artists like James Ensor and Alfred Verwee, who founded the Cercle des Artistes in 1880. Over time, it evolved into an upscale resort town with high-end restaurants, shops, and amenities catering to affluent visitors. St. George’s Anglican Church serves the local English-speaking community.

Today, Knokke is renowned for its beaches and dike system. It is home to Belgium’s largest casino, Knokke Casino, which operates 20 hours daily along the seaside promenade. The town is accessible via the northern end of the Belgian Coast Tram line and NMBS trains at Knokke railway station, with the N34 road connecting it to De Panne.

In popular culture, Knokke is referenced in Jacques Brel’s song "Jacky (La Chanson de Jacky)" and hosted the Golden Sea Swallow entertainment competition in the 1970s, where the BBC’s *The Norman Wisdom Show* won first prize in 1976. The town was also the setting for the 2023 Belgian-Flemish TV series *Knokke Off*.