Frietmuseum

The Frietmuseum in Bruges explores the history of potatoes and Belgian fries, housed in the historic Saaihalle building.

Planning your visit

The Frietmuseum makes a serious claim on Belgium's behalf and defends it with genuine scholarship: that the fried potato is Belgian rather than French, most likely originating in the Meuse valley where villagers fried fish and turned to potatoes when the river froze. The museum is billed as the world's only one devoted to fries, and it works through the whole story — the potato's origins in Peru, its arrival in Europe, initial resistance to eating it, and its transformation into the staple of Belgian street food.

The building is the surprise: the Saaihalle, one of the oldest structures in Bruges, dating to the fourteenth century, with a vaulted cellar in which the fries are actually served. The double-frying method, the choice of beef fat, the cone and the sauces are all covered with more rigour than the subject might suggest.

It is small, taking around an hour, and lands well with children. Bruges is compact enough that it fits easily into any day.

The main booking is an entry ticket, generally including a portion of fries in the cellar. Current availability is shown below.