The béguinages can be thought of as secular convents for women who were unmarried but didn't want to have to live with their families. They started during the crusades when there was a surplus of unmarried women due to so many men being sent off to war. Béguinages ceased their original purpose in the early 20th century.
Today they are just homes and properties where people live. Visiting them is very low key as the home are still in use. There are no formal visitor centers, and only a small amount of signage.
