The best traffic-free bike rides around Lempire

For bikepacking trips, A magnificent base for cycle touring. It's a place steeped in history, peaceful, and surrounded by lush greenery. Don't miss the hamlet of Revelon or a visit to the source of the Scheldt River in Gouy (right next door). Happy riding! 🚴‍♀️ Franck

Magnificent walk along the water, then visit the underground canal along the canal in a path between the trees with holes, bumps and bends (a real treat) to finish with a nice route in the Holnon woods. I recommend it. To do either as a walk or at speed, the choice is yours!

Some very beautiful remains to discover during a hike 😉.

This watering trough is probably a distant legacy of the Cistercian monks of Vaucelles. Nestled in the pastures surrounding the farm, it is fed by the nearby fountain, which filters the water and is itself fed by water from the Saint-Bernard spring, via an aqueduct. Hence the name of the bicycle trail "des sources" 😎.

The Tour Saint-Fiacre, also known as the Tour des Sottes, is a historic tower in Cambrai. The tower is part of the old city walls of Cambrai and was built in the 14th century. The name "Tour des Sottes" comes from a nearby women's asylum in the 19th century. The tower has retained its Cambrésis stone structure up to the foot of the terrace, while the sandstone base is now buried.

The Porte de Paris in Cambrai is a historic city gate built in the 14th century as part of the city's defensive wall. The gate is known for its Gothic architecture and has a strategic location at the southern entrance to the city. The gate was originally known as the Porte du Saint-Sépulcre.

Joncourt British Cemetery is a serene military cemetery located in Joncourt, France, and contains the graves of British soldiers who died during the First World War. Designed by William Cowlishaw, the cemetery is situated on the road from Joncourt to Levergies, approximately half a mile south of the village centre1. With a rectangular plan and surrounded by a stone wall, the cemetery provides a peaceful place for reflection. The Cross of Sacrifice, a hallmark of British military cemeteries, stands in the western corner1. The graves of 61 soldiers, three of whom are unidentified, belong to the 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders1. The cemetery is lovingly maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who ensure that the memory of these soldiers is kept alive.

This Cistercian abbey was founded in 1132 by Bernard of Clairvaux and grew into a large and influential community within a century. Royal armies camped there as in a fortress and Charles V signed peace with Henry II in 1556. In addition to the sick and outcasts, travellers and pilgrims also found shelter in the hospital. The largest abbey church in Europe stood here with an extraordinary length of 135 metres. On feast days, 3000 meals were provided to the needy in the wide area. After the French Revolution, it was declared national property and an inglorious end followed as an open-air quarry. Now, restored parts remain, such as the abbot's palace with the dormitories and monks' halls with the chapter house next to it. The 7-hectare abbey park is being restored to its former glory. Open March to November (Tue-Sat 10am-12pm and 2pm-5.30pm, Sun 3pm-6.30pm, closed Mondays).