Drongen Abbey

The Old Abbey of Drongen sits beautifully on the banks of the Leie, just west of Ghent, and dates back to the early Middle Ages. The current buildings largely date from the 17th and 18th centuries and today house a Jesuit retreat and spiritual centre. The grounds include a church, a monastic core, guest quarters, and a quiet garden overlooking the meander of the Leie.

Accessibility is partial. The main entrance has a small threshold bridged with a portable ramp; the corridors and the reception area are level on the ground floor. The chapel has several steps at the main entrance but is accessible via a side door with a low threshold. The inner courtyard and the guest quarters lie partly on different levels connected by stairs. The garden has a mix of paved paths and gravel.

An adapted toilet is present in the guest quarter. There is a car park with several disabled parking spaces right in front of the entrance. A towpath runs from the abbey along the Leie, largely paved and suitable for wheelchair walks towards Ghent or towards Baarle and Deurle. The surroundings are ideal for a quiet day trip with plenty of greenery and water.