Our street will travel with you. Our street will travel with you.
My name is Jean, I'm 39 years old, born and raised in Yerseke, and to be honest, I've never really left. My entire life has been lived here, between the water, the land, and the people who make this region what it is. I'm the fourth generation in our family business, involved in oyster and mussel farming. I now work together with my two brothers and a close-knit team of colleagues. It feels special to continue that tradition while simultaneously building for the future.
I live with my girlfriend Anne-Fleur and we recently had a daughter, Olivia. Almost every evening, we take a walk with the pram through Yerseke, along the harbour and the water. Those are the moments when you experience how rich this area actually is.
Mass tourism? Not in Yerseke. Mass tourism? Not in Yerseke.
Yerseke is a hidden gem in the Bevelanden. A place where visitors are genuinely interested in our products and our way of life. Not overwhelmingly busy, but full of life, space, and encounters. It is precisely this small scale that makes Yerseke so special. A place where you take your time to taste, discover, and enjoy life on the Oosterschelde.
That purity is also what typifies our region. The municipality of Reimerswaal, which includes Yerseke, is an area full of knowledge and craftsmanship. Potatoes, fruit, onions, mussels, and oysters are grown here. Each and every one of these is a product in which we are European, and sometimes even world, market leaders. For such a small part of the Netherlands, that's actually very special.
Land and water reinforce each other Land and water reinforce each other
What's also beautiful is how land and water are so intertwined here. No matter where you go: at a trade show you'll meet a fruit grower from Krabbendijke, and in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Antwerp you'll discover onions from Reimerswaalsoil on your plate. Our region travels with you.
We are not competitors, but colleagues. Everyone works hard, with respect for each other. That sense of solidarity can be found everywhere in this region.
Always something beautiful to see in Reimerswaal Always something beautiful to see in Reimerswaal
I love to go for a ride on my racing bike along the dike, the Oosterschelde and then towards Rilland. What always strikes me is that wherever you are, there's always something beautiful to see. The water, the fields, the greenhouses, the people who are at work. There's always life, but there's also always space and something to see. It's never boring and you can see that people who are at work have a passion for what they do.
Proud of the region Proud of the region
What moves me most is the bonhomie and pride that are palpable everywhere. The people in our region truly share a strong bond. When something is organised, like a festival, a village fête, or a local event, everyone is ready to contribute. That sense of togetherness makes this region special. The surroundings themselves only reinforce that; they reflect the character of the people and the quality of our products. Ultimately, the inhabitants are the biggest ambassadors of this region.
Visitors are not just visitors Visitors are not just visitors
Because visitors who come here aren't just visitors, they are guests who want to learn and actually experience something. They want to know the story behind our food, our products, our way of life. Because what happens in this region isn't about mass, but about connection and experience.
Experience it yourself Experience it yourself
I recommend visitors take to the water, discover the oyster farms, or enjoy a lovely bike ride along the fruit orchards. Taste the samphire and sea-purslane, produce that literally grows on the border of land and water, and above all, don't forget the local wine or juices that are made right here in Yerseke. Everything here is real and honest.
And that's precisely what makes this region so beautiful.