Attractions and Places To See around Saint-Vaast-En-Cambrésis - Top 20

The image speaks for itself

Many centuries ago, our ancestors discovered the possibility of harnessing the power of the elements - which on the one hand were helpful and useful, but on the other hand could also be a threat as untamed forces of nature - for different purposes and thus did without human or animal muscle power can. Such mills are a good example of the human engineering skills of earlier generations: the heavy millstones with which, for example, grain was ground into grain or oil was pressed, could be powered with the help of the wind or - as here - water.

Avesnes-le-Sec is a commune in the French Northern Department, in the Hauts-de-France region. It has an area of 10.4 km² and has 1,445 inhabitants (2020). It is part of the arrondissement of Valenciennes and the canton of Denain. Avesnes-le-Sec has a number of sites and heritage that testify to its history and culture. Some examples are: Avesnes-le-Sec Communal Cemetery Extension, a war cemetery from the First World War, where 65 British soldiers are buried. The ruins of the Moulin de Pierre, a tower mill from the 18th century, built with white limestone from the region. The mill was destroyed by a German shell in 1918. The Saint Aubertus Church, a Gothic church from the 12th century, dedicated to the patron saint of the municipality. The church has a remarkable portal with sculptures and an organ from the 19th century. Avesnes-le-Sec is also a pleasant place for walking or cycling, thanks to its green surroundings and its proximity to the River Somme. There are several routes and paths that run along the water or through the countryside. One of the most beautiful routes is the Voie verte du cavalier d'Agincourt, which connects Aniche to Escaudain over a distance of 12 km.

The Thun Leveque lock is a double lock located on the Scheldt canal, between the municipalities of Thun-l'Évêque and Iwuy, in the Nord department. It allows boats to overcome a difference in height of 2.5 meters between the two reaches of the canal. It is part of a series of five double locks which were built between 1825 and 1830 to improve navigation on the canalized Scheldt1. The Thun Leveque lock has been classified as a historic monument since 19922. It is surrounded by a landscaped park which dates from the 19th century and which belongs to the domain of the Château de Hamel, an 18th century residence which is also protected as architectural heritage3. The Thun Leveque lock is a place of passage and discovery for boaters, cyclists and hikers who use the Scheldt canal or the greenway which runs along it.

The castle was built in the 17th century and was completed in the 19th century. Originally owned by the Abbaye Saint-Aubert de Cambrai, the castle was built on land owned by the abbey. The plans are said to have belonged to Ange-Jacques Gabriel or Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart. The castle was sold as national property during the Revolution. With the help of a stooge, Count François Marie Joseph de Frahan became the owner. It was sold by his descendants to Pierre Joseph Danjou in 1853 and then to Nicolas Meriaux in 1884. In 1887, Marie-Adélaide Verkinder, wife of deputy Ernest Déjardin, acquired the château. It passed to her daughter and son-in-law, Ambassador Pierre Lefèvre-Pontalis. During the First World War, the castle became the headquarters of Jagdgeschwader and Baron Manfred von Richthofen lived there. The castle, its moats and bridges have been classified as a historical monument since September 21, 1983, while the outbuildings, the old building on the edge of road number 4, the facades and roofs of the pigeon tower and the pavilion in the park and the perimeter wall with its gates since the same date have been registered as a historical monument.

3700 meters - 4 stars The strip has been in use since 1973 and the last part was re-paved in 2007. For several years now it has been the longest strip and with 4 stars a fierce challenge. The strip has a V-shape and halfway through you actually drive back where you came from. The strip therefore starts and ends on the same road, namely the D113. It is also remarkable that the second part after turning right is an "ordinary" D-road. Because of the length you really look forward to your end. The turn halfway should not be underestimated because the road is narrow and the turn is a bit tight. Especially difficult if you pass here with a large group. Furthermore, it rises false flat in a number of places and that in combination with the bad stones makes it a serious challenge. At the end of the strip on the left is a beautiful farmhouse, the Ferme de la Fontaine au Tertre. This medieval farmhouse played an important role at the end of the First World War when it was converted into a field hospital.

Former mill of Verchain-Maugré

3700m long paved sector used by the Paris-Roubaix. It is quite trying due to its length and its climbs!