Mount of Watten

The Watenberg is a hill in the French Westhoek in the French Flanders near Waten (Watten). The Watenberg is one of the witness hills of the region, just like the Kemmelberg, Katsberg, Rodeberg, Kasselberg, and Kluisberg.

The Watenberg is part of the so-called central ridge of the Heuvelland, which also includes the Kasselberg, Wouwenberg, Katsberg, Boeschepeberg, Kokereelberg, Zwarteberg, Vidaigneberg, Baneberg, Rodeberg, Sulferberg, Goeberg, Scherpenberg, Monteberg, Kemmelberg, and Letteberg. To the south of this ridge lies the watershed of the Lys, and to the north of this ridge lies the watershed of the Yser.

On the mountain stands a tower, a remnant of a 15th-century abbey. The monks of the abbey helped drain the marshes of the Audomarois. The mountain was very strategically located. The Romans had already traced the route between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Kassel via this mountain. After that, the mountain successively passed into the hands of the Spaniards, the English, and finally the French. The abbey was fortified under the reign of Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. During the French Revolution, the abbey was destroyed, with only the tower being preserved, as it served as a landmark for sailors.

In the 18th century, a mill was built on top.

During World War II, the tower served as an observation post.

Paertje