Easy hikes and walks around Cambrai

After the resistance had pushed the Germans back behind the Sambre during WWI, the British army under the leadership of Wilfred Owen arrived. They came under fire from the German army that had hidden. Here lie buried the men who fell at that time.

easy and pleasant walk

Most of the soldiers buried here are those who attempted to cross the canal on 4 November 1918 on engineer footbridges

Most of the soldiers were killed on November 4, 1918, while trying to cross the canal on engineer footbridges.

Beautiful traffic-free footpath along the Scheldt. Depending on the light, the buildings on the other side reflect beautifully in the water. The row of trees along the roadway, but above the footpath, also creates atmosphere.

The Canalised Scheldt is a section of the River Escaut that was developed to facilitate navigation and river transport. This canalised section extends for approximately 63 km, from Cambrai to Mortagne-du-Nord, on the French-Belgian border. The canalisation of the Scheldt began between Cambrai and Bruay-sur-l'Escaut between 1772 and 1784. The Canal de l'Escaut connects to the Canal de Saint-Quentin in Cambrai, which allows a continuous river link to the Paris Basin via the Seine. This infrastructure played a crucial role in the economic development of the region, facilitating the transport of goods and supporting the industrialisation of the towns along its route. Today, the Canalised Scheldt continues to be used for both commercial transport and recreational activities, contributing to the local economy and tourism.

The Écluse de Cantimpré in Cambrai is a historic lock that played an important role in the development of the region's waterways. It was built in 1900 as part of the modernisation of the regional waterway network, as required by the Charles Freycinet law in 1879. The lock is equipped with two lock chambers, each 38 metres long and 5 metres wide, making it accessible to Flemish peniches and facilitating shipping. The lock is located at the junction of the canalised Scheldt and the Saint-Quentin Canal, and was part of the important port of Cantimpré, which was built in 1862. Today, the port of Cantimpré is mainly a pleasure port, but in the past it was a busy trading post with more than a hundred ships passing through every day.

The Écluse de Selles in Cambrai is a historic lock located on the Scheldt River. This lock dates back to the 18th century and is one of many locks in the region that were built to manage the waterways and facilitate navigation. The lock is located near the Château de Selles, a medieval castle originally built in the 13th century and later modified and expanded. The castle and lock are important historical monuments in Cambrai and attract many visitors interested in the history and heritage of the region.