Fransmansmuseum

Fransmansmuseum in Koekelare is a small but deeply personal museum dedicated to the Flemish seasonal workers who, for decades, left their home region to find employment in France. It occupies part of the former Christiaen brewery complex, in buildings that once served as stables, storage rooms and a hop-drying loft.

Who were the "Fransmans"?

The museum takes its name from the "Fransmans" — inhabitants of the Westhoek region who migrated seasonally to northern France in search of work. They took on hard labour in sugar beet fields, chicory-drying facilities, sugar factories, flax harvesting and brickworks. The work was physically demanding and poorly paid, and living conditions for these seasonal labourers were far from comfortable. Even so, the Fransmans earned particular respect from employers, who valued their relentless work ethic and craftsmanship above that of workers from other countries. This pattern of labour migration continued until the 1960s, when shifts in agriculture and industry gradually brought it to an end.

A former brewery as the setting

The museum is housed in the buildings of the Christiaen brewery and malthouse, whose origins date back to the 1790s. The industrial complex took on its current appearance around 1878, and the brewery itself remained in operation until 1968, for a long time ranking among the largest employers in Koekelare. Today, the former horse stables, storage rooms and hop cellar that once supported the brewery's operations have been converted into an exhibition space telling the story of these seasonal migrants.

What visitors can see

The exhibition includes a reconstructed "house" of a typical Fransman — a modest interior that conveys the everyday reality of a seasonal worker living far from home. The museum also presents a unique documentary film recounting the migrants' experiences, along with a recreated ast, the traditional drying room used for agricultural produce that was once common throughout the region. The site was completely rebuilt in 2016 and reopened to the public in early March 2017, offering a more modern and accessible way of presenting this chapter of local history.

Fransmansmuseum forms part of a larger cultural complex known as De Brouwerij, which also houses a museum dedicated to Käthe Kollwitz alongside the exhibition on the Fransmans.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? Fransmansmuseum is located at Sint Maartensplein 15B in Koekelare, within the former Christiaen brewery site.

Who were the Fransmans? They were seasonal workers from Flanders who traveled to northern France for work, mainly in sugar beet cultivation, sugar factories, chicory drying and brickmaking, up until the 1960s.

When is the museum open? The museum operates seasonally, from 15 May to 15 November, open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

Are there other attractions in the same building? Yes, Fransmansmuseum is part of the De Brouwerij complex, which also includes a museum dedicated to Käthe Kollwitz.