De Panne is known as the green seaside of the Belgian coast and is well know for it's nature reserves and the widest beach on the Flemish coast. On January 1, 2006 De Panne had a total population of 10,060. The total area is 23.90 km² which gives a population density of 421 inhabitants per km². De Panne is the most western point in Belgium and borders France.
Famous people that lived or died in De Panne include King Albert I and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium (lived there during WWI), and John Aidan Liddell, VC, who died in De Panne in August 1915.
De Panne is home to Plopsaland, a themepark aimed at young children and located at the former Meli-Park.
De Panne was also the place where the first land yachts intended for sport were built and used by the Dumont brothers in 1898.
On July 17, 1831, Leopold I, the first Belgian king, sailed to Calais from England, and arrived in Belgium in De Panne. The Leopold I Esplanade, which includes a statue of him, commemorates his arrival.