The best running trails around Toufflers

Asphalt next to the cobblestones for when you're tired of the bouncing.

Until 1983, the last 300 meters of line 271 000, Roubaix-Wattrelos, ran here. At the other end, it connected to Belgian line 85 to Leupegem, Oudenaarde. The only 3.6 km long and never electrified line 271 000 no longer carried passenger trains after 1932.

The blue arch bridge crossing the Canal de Roubaix near the Sartel lock dates from 1999. It is 65m long and 24m wide. Until 1920, Roubaix and Wattrelos were connected only by a narrow bridge over the Sartel lock. This bridge was intended to lead to the Roubaix-Wattrelos train station, built in 1878 in Roubaix between the Pile and Trois Ponts intersections. It was only after the First World War, in 1920, that a municipal decree officially authorized the construction of a bridge over the Sartel. The residents of Wattrelos undoubtedly benefited from the reconstruction of the canal bridges, which had been completely destroyed by the German army during its retreat. The first Sartel Bridge, built entirely of concrete and located on Rue Albert 1er, was dedicated to the brave King of the Belgians, who earned the nickname "Soldier King" for his leadership of the armies during the World War. This bridge was located where the current bridge was later built, about a hundred meters upstream from the original crossing. Source: ateliers-memoire.com

The current St. Martin's Church dates only from 1854 and was preceded by another, much smaller church on the same site. That first church belonged to the Knights Templar, who donated it to the parish after the Council of Vienne in 1530. In 1711, part of the ceiling collapsed during a mass, killing five people. Then, in 1800, a violent storm destroyed the already towering spire. Around 1849-1850, Abbot Pluchart, the parish priest, began construction of the current church with the help of architect Leroy, which was consecrated in 1854. Following the law introducing the separation of church and state in 1905, the building was inventoried and became state property. As elsewhere in France, the state entrusted the heritage to the municipality. In 1917, the local blacksmith, under orders from the "German Command," was called upon, along with three companions, to remove the two bells and hand them over to the Germans so they could be turned into German artillery pieces. In 1922, the bells, bearing the names Solange-Augustine and Martine, were returned. The church sustained little damage during the 1939-1945 war (bombings and storms), and a restoration followed immediately in 1947-1948 (a stained-glass window above the portico and some stone repairs). In 1949-1950, the municipality gave the building its current appearance by removing the very narrow staircase made of Soignies stone and the protective fencing from the garden. Finally, in November 1977, the collapse of several vaults in the choir prompted the municipality to investigate and renovate the entire nave, repair, reinforce, or replace several pointed arches, and completely repaint the interior. Source: www.willems.fr

The penultimate cobbled section of Paris-Roubaix. I recommend doing part of it on the cobblestones to experience this very uncomfortable sensation (fortunately the cycle path is tarmac).

There were too many cars, even on a Friday afternoon, so I had to ride on the black edges when the cars came from behind. I'm looking forward to when this section is closed for a Paris-Roubaix weekend.

penultimate strip to HIM

This seemingly small church has all the hallmarks of a large one. Indeed, the building is built on the same architectural model as Lille Cathedral. Moreover, stained-glass window enthusiasts will notice the rare presence of hearts in the compositions.