Beerse

Beerse is a municipality in the Belgian province of Antwerp, in the Flemish Region. It is situated in the Campine (Kempen) region, southeast of Turnhout, near the Dutch border. The municipality comprises the town of Beerse and surrounding rural settlements, with a landscape of farmland, woods, and small waterways.

The area shows evidence of early settlement; Beerse is mentioned in medieval documents dating back to the 12th century. It developed as an agricultural village and remained relatively small until the latter half of the 20th century when industrial growth reshaped the local economy. A major milestone was the establishment of the Janssen pharmaceutical campus in Beerse, which became a large research and manufacturing site and is now part of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen division.

Today Beerse's economy is influenced by the Janssen campus, alongside small and medium-sized enterprises in services and manufacturing, and agricultural activity in surrounding areas.

Beerse has a population of about 18,000 residents.

Beerse is accessible by road via regional routes and the nearby E34 motorway. Public transport is provided by De Lijn bus services, and the nearest railway stations are in Turnhout and Arendonk, offering connections to major Belgian cities.

Notable individuals linked to Beerse include Paul Janssen, founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica, who established the Beerse site that contributed to the region's development.