Bree (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbreː] ; French: Brée, French pronunciation: [bʁe]) is a municipality and city in the Flemish province of Limburg, Belgium. In December 2021, Bree had a total population of 16,097. The total area is 64.96 km2 (25.08 sq mi) which gives it a population density of 246 inhabitants per square kilometre (640/sq mi). The mayor of Bree is Sietse Wils.
Contents
Toponymy
In Latin sources from the 15th to the 17th century, Bree was frequently referred to as Breda.
Culture
Cultural center
De Zeepziederij, the cultural center of Bree. This center was known till 2019 as the cultural center of De Breughel.
Musea
Stadsmuseum Bree, located in the old town hall
Rijtuigmuseum Bree
De Gulden Tas, the smallest coffee roastery in Belgium, founded in 1995
Events
The yearly Sint-Niklaasmarkt on 5 December, organized from the start of the 17th century
The yearly Goat market which takes place on the first Monday after the first week of October. Many years ago the best goats were sold here, now it is a folklore-event
Climate
Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).
Demographics
Bree had a population of 16,097 (7,991 men and 8,106 women) as of 6 December 2021, 9% of the population has a foreign nationality.
Income
The average income in Bree is €18,659 per year as of 2019.
Notable inhabitants
Sky Remans, Olympic snowboarder in 2026
Jaak Broekx, oldest man in Belgium from 2021 to 2023
Kim Clijsters, tennis player, former WTA number 1
Lei Clijsters, football player, father of Kim
Thibaut Courtois, football player for Real Madrid and the Belgium national football team
Gert Doumen, former football player
Stefan Everts, motocross racer, 10-time Motocross World Champion
Johnny Galecki, American actor, born in Bree; raised in the United States
Bas Leinders, racing driver, tested for the Minardi Formula 1 team in 2004, born in Bree
Max Verstappen, four time Formula One World Champion driver for Red Bull Racing
Twin towns – sister cities
Bree is twinned with:
Geldern, Germany
Salomó, Spain
Volpago, Italy
In addition, Bree established economic cooperation with Yangzhou, China.