Ode to the picturesque Laag Holland landscape

(92 km)

The scenery of Laag Holland has been the inspiration of many an artist for centuries. This route takes you past these idyllic spots...

Claude Monet, Jan Toorop and even Paul Signac were inspired to produce their masterpieces here.

Ode to the picturesque Laag Holland landscape
Laag Holland is a region where beautiful pictures are guaranteed. Especially on a sunny day, you are occasionally short of eyes. Wide views over the Markermeer, interrupted here and there by a sailing boat. Vast meadows with grazing cows and sheep and twittering birds. Picturesque villages with old, monumental buildings with special facades where you can still taste the atmosphere of days gone by. Stately windmills that recall times when they were still hard at work grinding polders dry. And here and there a touch of traditional costume. It is the image that many foreigners have of the Netherlands and that people from all over the world come to enjoy.

So ...

Claude Monet, Jan Toorop and even Paul Signac were inspired to produce their masterpieces here.

Ode to the picturesque Laag Holland landscape
Laag Holland is a region where beautiful pictures are guaranteed. Especially on a sunny day, you are occasionally short of eyes. Wide views over the Markermeer, interrupted here and there by a sailing boat. Vast meadows with grazing cows and sheep and twittering birds. Picturesque villages with old, monumental buildings with special facades where you can still taste the atmosphere of days gone by. Stately windmills that recall times when they were still hard at work grinding polders dry. And here and there a touch of traditional costume. It is the image that many foreigners have of the Netherlands and that people from all over the world come to enjoy.

So do artists. For centuries. Over the years, Laag Holland has been home to several great talents. For instance, Fabritius (Rembrand's most talented pupil) was a born and bred Beemsterling, the eccentric Anton Heyboer lived with his five wives in Den Ilp and made tens of thousands of works there, and Maarten Oortwijn charted the development of his hometown Purmerend through the years with his drawings.

But there were also passers-by. How about Paul Signac? He visited Volendam and paid for his stay at Hotel Spaander with a work of art. It turned out to be the most expensive paid overnight stay ever. And Jan Toorop created one of his most famous works in picturesque Broek in Waterland. The painting went all over the world. And finally, Claude Monet. Who does not know him? He was so inspired by the Zaan region that he made about 35 works of art from it.

Where have all these icons been? What did they do and see? And why were they so fascinated by Laag Holland? To find out, you can now follow in their footsteps for a day. See Laag Holland the way they did. Discover the landscapes they were so inspired by and experience the atmosphere of the historical villages that accommodated them. Walk in the footsteps of the famous painters by following this route; it promises to be a fun and unique experience!

This route has been developed as a circular tour. It is therefore possible to start at any point. The route is approximately 92 km. Ideal for an e-bike/e-scooter tour, but also as a multi-day route. Stay overnight at one of the special accommodations along the way and set off full of energy during the day to discover the most picturesque spots. From museums with impressive collections to beautiful vistas, with always a nice break spot nearby.

Tips on the go:

  • Visit the Zaans Museum and admire a real Claude Monet.
  • As you cycle through the Zaan bend in Wormer, you imagine yourself in Arnold de Lange's painting
  • See the impressive rusk tower in Wormer
  • Along the way you will see several mills including Molen de Koker, the place where the paper for Beethoven's scores was developed, and further along, the Necker mill along the North Holland Canal
  • Pause in Purmerend and have a look at the Koemarkt and the Purmerends Museum
  • Farm the Unicorn in Middenbeemster is arguably one of the most beautiful farms in the country
  • Buy stamps of Fabritius' world-famous 'Little Goldfinch' at the Betje Wolff Museum
  • In Edam, enjoy the special protected townscape. Visit the Edam Museum and the historic Cheese Market.
  • From the Dike in Volendam, you have a view over the setting Paul Signac used one of his world-famous paintings (tip! The Volendam museum has a real Paul Signac in its collection).
  • Take the audio tour in Volendam: Volendam Artists' Village
  • Rent a boat in Overleek and take a look at the polders from the water. Jan Toorop made the famous painting'Broek in Waterland' here
  • Become one with nature at visitor centre Ilperveld or at Oostzanerveld. Enjoy the endless views over the unique peat meadow landscape, where various boating excursions are possible
  • Visit the Anton Heyboer gallery in Landsmeer
  • Check out the Twiske Mill. Did you know that this water mill still serves and is inhabited by a real miller?

Do you have a little less time? Then choose one of the three partial routes. These routes range from 36 to 42 km and also show you a wonderful glimpse of picturesque Laag Holland, with various break points along the way. From catering establishments to museums, all located along the route.

1. Want to cycle in the Edam, Volendam and Monnickendam area? Check out the partial route here.
2. Want to cycle in the Purmerend and Beemster area? Check out the partial route here.
3. Want to cycle in the Zaanstad, Wormerland, Landsmeer and Oostzaan area? Check out the partial route here.

Don't have your own bike? There are several locations along the route where you can rent a bike or e-bike.

You are going to see this

Starting point:

Zaans Museum
Schansend 7

1509 AW Zaandam
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During his visit to Zaandam, Monet was so impressed by the Zaanse landscape, mills and wooden ships that he produced 25 paintings and nine sketches of them.

Claude Monet: Haaldersbroek in 1871 A painting of windmills by Claude Monet
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Arnold de Lange, born in Wormerveer in 1968, is self-taught and, as a painter, takes inspiration from the old masters of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Arnold de Lange: Zaanbocht A painting of a harbour by Arnold de Lange
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The tower marks an important piece of history of Wormer/Jisp at the time of the whaling and rusk-baking industries.

Rusk Tower Wormer's rusk tower

The history of De Koker dates back to 1592, the year the flour mill was first mentioned. Together with other mills, it ground flour for ships' rusks and for the starch used to keep lace collars in shape.

Flour mill De Koker Flour mill De Koker
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The Neckermolen (Nekker mill) from 1631 is a reed-covered octagonal ground-sailor with an old Dutch sails. Together with an electric pumping station, the polder mill pumps the Wormer, Jisp and Neck water board.

The Neckermolen Aerial view of The Neckermolen
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The painting is an oil on canvas. The depiction gives a good idea of the functioning of the Beestemarckt, as the Koemarkt was then called.

Painter unknown: Koemarkt in Purmerend A painting of the Koemarkt in Purmerend

In the heart of Purmerend, in the middle of the Kaasmarkt, stands the Purmerends Museum. This former town hall tells the history of Purmerend; from fishing village to market town between the reclamations of the Beemster, the Purmer and the Wormer.

Purmerends Museum The Cheese Market with the Purmerends Museum
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Farmhouse "De Eenhoorn" is the richest example of a stolp farm in De Beemster. The living area is made of brick and the barn area extended backwards is made of wood.

Farm "The Unicorn" De Eenhoorn farm, anno 1682

Amsterdam native Frans Langeveld studied chemistry before devoting himself entirely to painting.

Frans Langeveld: Farm De Eenhoorn A painting of farmhouse The Unicorn by Somonis and Buunk

The former vicarage of the N.H. church in Middenbeemster has housed the "Betje Wolff Museum" since 1950.

Betje Wolff Museum Exterior view of Betje Wolff museum
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Edams Museum is one of the oldest museums in North Holland!

Edam Museum exterior view of Edam Museum

Whoever says Laag Holland, says cows. And whoever says cows, says cheese. This has been the case for centuries and so many cheese markets have sprung up in this region over the years. Three of them have been preserved and can therefore be visited!

The Cheese Market Edam Cheese Market

Anthony Beek was born in Edam in 1882. He took his first painting lessons in Amsterdam before continuing his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris.

Anthony Beek: Cheese market Edam Painting of the Edam Cheese Market by Anthony Beek

Willem Bastiaan Tholen (Amsterdam, 1860 - The Hague, 1931) was one of the most talented artists of his time and was very successful during his lifetime.

W.B. Tholen: Kwakel bridge Painting of the Kwakel bridge by Willem Bastiaan Tholen

Paul Signac lived from 1863 to 1935 and is considered one of the most important representatives of pointillism alongside Georges Seurat.

Paul Signac: the Zuidpolder mill A painting of the South Polder Mill by Paul Signac
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This well-known painter and graphic artist lived from 1863 to 1935 and is considered one of the most important representatives of pointillism alongside Georges Seurat.

Paul Signac: Port of Volendam Painting of the port of Volendam by Paul Signac
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In the heart of Volendam is the Volendams Museum, where you will find one of the most extraordinary collections in the Netherlands. If you want a glimpse into 19th-century Dutch life, this is the place to be!

Volendam Museum Museum entrance
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The Waterlands Museum De Speeltoren tells the story of Waterland and Europe's faintest carillon. See how the Waterland landscape was created and learn more about the rich history of its beautiful towns and contemporary art.

Waterlands museum the Speeltoren Exterior view of Waterlands Museum the Play Tower
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Eat, celebrate, get lost (and linger).

The Broeker House The entrance to the garden of Het Broeker Huis

Jan Toorop was a Dutch artist with an Indonesian background who began his career as an impressionist.

Jan Toorop: Broek in Waterland Painting of the landscape of Broek in Waterland by Jan Toorop
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A unique spot in Waterland! Just above Amsterdam, amidst the picture-perfect Dutch countryside, you'll find this boat rental with waterside catering.

Boat rental Overleek People sitting in the garden of Boat Rental Overleek
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For meadow and reed birds, the Ilperveld is a favourite spot. While the black-tailed godwit, lapwing and redshank feel completely at home in the farm plots, the bittern, sedge warbler and bluethroat have found their place in the reed beds.

Bird-watching hut | Ilperveld A bird hide in the Ilperveld field
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Anton Heyboer is one of the most famous artists of the past century.

Anton Heyboer Art Gallery The colourful building of the Anton Heyboer Art Gallery
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The Twiskemolen has stood on the border between the municipalities of Landsmeer and Oostzaan since 1974. Looking at the dates on the mill, it is immediately obvious that the mill is much older.

Listen | Twiskemolen The Twiskemolen at a distance through the reeds
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Are you looking for a unique and educational experience? Then dive into the fascinating world of the Zaans Museum! Located on the famous Zaanse Schans.

Zaans Museum Room in the Zaans Museum

End point:

Zaans Museum
Schansend 7

1509 AW Zaandam
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