“Leie,” a name that rolls off the tongue like the river itself. The Leie or Lys is a river flowing through France and Belgium. It stretches 202 kilometers. This waterway has witnessed centuries of history.
The Leie originates in Lisbourg. This village lies east of Fruges in France. From there, it meanders northeast. It passes through towns like Thèrouanne and Aire-sur-la-Lys in France. It continues through Merville and Armentières. It flows into Belgium, gracing Comines-Warneton. The Leie then winds through Menen, Kortrijk, and Ghent. Finally, it merges with the Scheldt River in Ghent.
But there’s more to the Leie than just its route. Historically, the Leie suffered from pollution. High population density and industrial activities caused this. Both Northern France and Belgium contributed to the issue. However, improvements have been made in recent years. The decline of the flax industry helped.
Speaking of flax, the Leie played a key role in its production. The water was ideal for spinning and weaving flax. This industry thrived along the Leie for centuries.
Interestingly, the Leie was a favorite spot for painters. In the early 20th century, many artists flocked to this region. The area between Deinze and Ghent inspired them. They captured the Leie’s beauty on canvas.
The Leie also holds strategic importance. Three battles occurred here during the World Wars. The First Battle of the Lys was part of the German Spring Offensive in 1918. Later that year, the Second Battle of the Lys took place. It was part of the Allies’ Hundred Days Offensive. During World War II, the Battle of the Lys was part of the German offensive in Flanders.
Navigation has always been vital on the Leie. Major works started around 1670 to improve it. These works addressed the river’s devastating floods. By 1780, six locks and weirs overcame the elevation difference. The river carried grain and linen to Ghent and Antwerp.
However, tragedy struck in 1899. Over 40 schoolchildren drowned when skating on the frozen Leie at Frelinghien. The river was deepened as part of the Freycinet program. The section below Armentières was enlarged. The border section was improved starting in 1960.
Today, the Leie is part of the EU’s priority project for the Seine-Escaut waterway. The upstream section is mainly for recreational use. It faced heavy silting. Efforts are underway to increase the river’s capacity.