CC De Steiger

CC De Steiger is a cultural center in Menen, a town on the Belgian-French border in West Flanders. The building stands at Waalvest 1, on ground that until the late 1960s was part of the Lys (Leie) riverbed – the parking area next to the center now occupies what used to be an inner river harbor. That history is even embedded in the name itself: "steiger" is Dutch for a jetty or scaffolding, evoking both mooring and returning home, and setting off toward new challenges and unfamiliar horizons – a duality the center deliberately carries into its programming.

What you can see and do

CC De Steiger combines the functions of a concert and theater venue, an exhibition gallery, and a public institution. Its calendar regularly features music concerts (spanning blues, rock, and performances by local bands), theater productions, film screenings, stand-up comedy, and visual art exhibitions. The exhibition space covers 450 square meters and is equipped with pedestals, display panels, and professional lighting, allowing it to host anything from painting shows to larger installations.

Under the same roof as the cultural center sit the city's public library and the Menen city archives, making CC De Steiger one of the town's key public hubs – a place where a single visit could include borrowing a book, catching a concert, and browsing historical records.

't Schippershof museum

CC De Steiger also manages the city museum 't Schippershof, housed in a carefully restored 17th-century building. The historic architecture has been adapted for a contemporary museum display, creating a deliberate contrast between an old structure with its character intact and a modern way of presenting the collection. The name recalls Menen's shipping and bargeman past, tied to the Lys river that once flowed right alongside it.

Why it's worth a visit

Menen sits right on the border with France, making CC De Steiger a natural stop for anyone exploring the Flemish-French border region. It's a place where several layers meet: the town's current cultural life – concerts, theater, exhibitions – overlapping with its river and harbor history, still legible in the site itself and its buildings. For visitors interested in local culture and history, it's a sensible stop on an itinerary, especially paired with a visit to 't Schippershof.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is CC De Steiger located? At Waalvest 1 in Menen, West Flanders, close to the border with France.

What can you see at CC De Steiger besides concerts? Visual art exhibitions in a 450 m² exhibition hall, theater performances, film screenings, and the city's public library and archives housed in the same building.

What is 't Schippershof? A city museum managed by CC De Steiger, located in a restored 17th-century building that reflects the town's shipping history.

Where does the name "De Steiger" come from? It refers to a jetty or scaffolding and symbolizes both mooring and returning, as well as setting off toward new challenges – a nod to the former river harbor that occupied this site until the late 1960s.