Oostvoorne is a town in the

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People ...

province of

South Holland South Holland ( nl, Zuid-Holland ) is a province of the Netherlands with a population of over 3.7 million as of October 2021 and a population density of about , making it the country's most populous province and one of the world's most densely ...

. It is a part of the municipality of

Westvoorne Voorne aan Zee is a municipality on the island Voorne-Putten in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of of which is water. It had a population of in 2022. The municipality of Voorne aan Zee ...

, and lies about north of

Hellevoetsluis Hellevoetsluis () is a small city and municipality in the western Netherlands. It is located in Voorne-Putten, South Holland. The municipality covers an area of of which is water and it includes the population centres Nieuw-Helvoet, Nieuwenhoor ...

. In 2001, the town of Oostvoorne had 5,403 inhabitants, the built-up area of the town was , and contained 2,274 residences.Statistics Netherlands (CBS)
''Bevolkingskernen in Nederland 2001''
(Statistics are for the continuous built-up area). The statistical area "Oostvoorne", which also can include the peripheral parts of the village, as well as the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 7,270.Statistics Netherlands (CBS)
''Statline: Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2003-2005''
As of January 1, 2005. Oostvoorne was a separate municipality until 1980, when it became part of Westvoorne. Oostvoorne was since before World War II the only location in the Netherlands where automobiles were permitted on the beach. In 1992 it was proposed to close the beach to cars resulting in consultations and negotiations lasting many years. The provincial government finally decided to close it permanently on October 15, 2004. In the center of Oostvoorne are the ruins of the

Burcht of Voorne The Burcht of Voorne is a ruinous motte-and-bailey castle in Oostvoorne, Netherlands. It was home to the Lords of Voorne, burgraves of Zeeland. Burgs The name Burcht of Voorne The Dutch name of this castle: sets it apart from other Dutc ...

, one of the few Dutch castles still visibly situated on top of a

motte A motte-and-bailey castle is a European fortification with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised area of ground called a motte, accompanied by a walled courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade. Relatively easy to ...

. It was built shortly after 1200 by the Lords of Voorne. It also served as a residence for

Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut Jacqueline ( nl, Jacoba; french: Jacqueline; german: Jakobäa; 15 July 1401 – 8 October 1436), of the House of Wittelsbach, was a noblewoman who ruled the counties of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut in the Low Countries from 1417 to 1433. She ...

(Jacoba van Beieren).

Sport

Cycling

Since 1985 Oostvoorne has been organizing the

Profronde van Oostvoorne Profronde van Oostvoorne ( en, Proftour of Oostvoorne) is an elite men's and women's professional road bicycle racing event held annually in Oostvoorne, the Netherlands. The first edition was in 1985. The event is one of the post-Tour de France cri ...

, an elite men's and women's professional

road bicycle racing Road bicycle racing is the cycle sport discipline of road cycling, held primarily on paved roads. Road racing is the most popular professional form of bicycle racing, in terms of numbers of competitors, events and spectators. The two most common ...

criterium A criterium, or crit, is a bike race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit, the length of each lap or circuit ranging from about 400 m to 10,000 m. Overview Race length can be determined by a number of laps or total time ...

Notable people born in Oostvoorne

Belinda Meuldijk Belinda Meuldijk (born 7 January 1955) is a Dutch actress, writer, and activist. She has performed in Dutch television shows and movies, and is also a song writer. She first performed at age six in the ''Pipo de Clown'' television show, conceived ...

, actress, writer, and activist

References

Populated places in South Holland Former municipalities of South Holland Westvoorne {{SouthHolland-geo-stub