Around Bourlon

Your walk begins peacefully in the car park of Bourlon Church, in the heart of the village.

(S/E) From the junction of Rue Victor-Lacroix and Rue Bernard-de-Francqueville, head along the latter and then turn right into Rue de l’Église. At the junction with Ruelle des Processions, turn right and continue straight on at the next crossroads.

(1) When you reach Rue Victor-Lacroix again, turn right and then almost immediately left to join Rue de Mœuvres. A small chapel marks the three-way junction: this is where you turn right to leave the village and set off along a country lane. There are a series of side paths, but ignore them and head straight towards the A26, which you cross at a higher level, with an unobstructed view of the surrounding fields. On the other side, the path leads you to the D15.

(2) Cross it carefully by first turning left then right and continuing along a narrower path. Join the towpath of the Canal du Nord. The landscape then changes: water, riverbanks and locks now punctuate your journey.

(3) Turn right and pass the Nord lock, then lock no. 4 at Sains-lès-Marquion.

(4) Continue, keeping as close to the canal as possible. Under the D22, the towpath continues to wind its peaceful way.

(5) Before lock no. 3, leave the bank by taking the street on the right, then the one on the left, to head up Chemin d’Inchy. The village of Sains-lès-Marquion soon comes into view.

(6) Turn right into Rue du Château, then left into Rue d’en Haut and cross Rue du Calvaire by taking a left-right turn. Continue via Place Verte, then turn left into Rue de l’Église, offering you a glimpse of the heart of the village.

(7) At the corner of the church, turn left into Rue d’Oisy, then right into Rue de Barralle. After a bend, a path leads you back to the towpath.

(8) Head right towards Marquion and,before lock no. 2, keep left then follow a series of paths that lead you to the D939.

(9)Turn right and, after crossing the Agache, take Rue Busette on the right, then Rue de la Mairie. The church and the town hall follow one after the other, marking the heart of the village. Continue on to Rue d’en Haut.

(10) Follow it to the right, before turning left into Rue de la Chapelle, which you follow to the D15.

(11) Cross it carefully. The return journey to Bourlon then begins along Chemin de Bourlon, straight ahead. At the three-way junction near the British cemetery, keep to the right to continue along this same path. After passing under the A26, carry on straight ahead, then take the path on the left before keeping to the right at the next junction. The landscape opens up again as you approach Bourlon.

(12) Turn rightonto Rue des Minières, then Rue de la Gare, before turning left into Rue de la Sablonnière. The Grand Rue gently leads you back to the right towards the village centre. At Place des Anciens Combattants, a final left turn takes you back to the church car park (S/E).

The route is easy but not signposted. The terrain consists of earth, grass, stones and tarmac. Please wear appropriate footwear.

(S/E) Saint-Martin Church.

(1) Chapel and Notre-Dame Chapel.

(2) Canal du Nord.

(4) Canal du Nord.

(7) Saint-Saturnine Church, the Agache River and the Canal du Nord.

(9) Agache River , Saint-Aignan Church and Town Hall.

(11) British Cemetery.

(12) Town Hall.

(6) Le Dievre Leisure Centre (Paintballand Laser Tag).