The River Lys

The Lys

The Ghent audio-guided tour takes you to the edge of the Lys, the river that, with the Scheldt, makes Ghent a city set on the water, criss-crossed by canals.

The river that made the prosperity of Ghent

Ghent stands at the confluence of the Scheldt and the Lys, which crosses it with several canals, like its neighbour Bruges. Formerly, the Lys allowed the commercial and economic development of the city through the transport of goods; it still occupies a place of choice in the life of the people of Ghent, who like to gather on the terraces of its quays. The word "Lys" would have Celtic and Latin origins, designating both water and flower, as if the river made the surrounding vegetation bloom. It was also discovered that the Lys, rich in limestone, was ideal for the retting of flax stems, thus linking its history to the textile industry.

What there is to see

Along the Lys, the medieval façades, the bridges and the reflections in the water compose the finest images of Ghent. Its quays invite strolling, sitting down on a terrace or embarking for a cruise. It is along this river that one best grasps the identity of the city, shaped by water and trade since the Middle Ages.

Practical information

The Lys crosses the historic centre of Ghent, feeding its canals. Its quays can be walked freely on foot at all hours and on the level; the cruises and the terraces follow their own hours.

What rivers cross Ghent?

The Scheldt and the Lys, whose confluence makes Ghent a city set on the water, criss-crossed by canals.

What role did the Lys play in the history of Ghent?

It allowed the commercial development of the city through the transport of goods and was linked to the flax industry.