The Hedgerows and Streams Route in Sains-du-Nord

Start from the church in Sains-du-Nord, Place du Général de Gaulle (car park).

(S/E) With your back to the church, turn right, passing the town hall, which is on your left. Turn right onto Rue Gabriel Péri towards Sémeries. Turn left onto the Vieux Chemin d’Avesnes and carry straight on, ignoring a dead end on the left and then Rue du Moulin à Vent.

(1) Before the cross, turn right onto the Chemin dit à Baudets (^GRP® de l’Avesnois, marked in red and yellow). Cross a small road and continue along the path opposite. Cross the Pachi via a blue stone bridge.

(2) At the next junction, carry on straight ahead (the^GRP® heads off to the right) and pass the Ferme de Lombies. At the next junction, turn left and walk down the road for about 1 km (view of the Helpe Majeure).

(3) As soon as you’ve passed the few houses on Rue de la Palette, turn left towards the old Moulin du Baquy. Ignore the access path to the buildings on the left and cross the Baquy stream (view of Sains-du-Nord).

(4) At the wayside shrine (1886), turn left. About 500 metres further on, veer right onto a hedgerow-lined path (follow the signposts carefully). At the T-junction, turn right.

(5) At the next junction, turn left onto Rue de la Cure. Carry on straight ahead (south), ignoring the side roads. Cross the railway line, pass under a power line and you’ll come out onto the D951.

(6) Cross the departmental road (take care, heavy traffic) and head straight on into Rue Mahy. At the junction, turn right onto the D123a. Cross a stream.

(7) At the junction, leave the D123a and take the road on the left. At the next junction, go straight on along Rue du Calvaire. At the crossroads, turn right.

(8) When the road bends to the right, turn left and cross the Ruisseau de la Longue Queue. Then follow a grassy path.

(9) At the fork in the path, turn left (view of the bocage). At the hamlet known as Le Moulin à Vent, first turn left then right to pass under the power line and follow the Chemin à Baudets et de Rainsars.

(10) Cross the D951 again (always taking care) and continue straight on along Rue des Fosses à Marne. Go over the railway line, and immediately pass a path on your left. You’ll arrive at the Maison du Bocage.

(11) Then turn left onto Rue Jean-Baptiste Lebas. Carry on straight ahead and, when you reach the post office, turn left onto Rue du Docteur Chevalier. Take the first right to return to the church (S/E).

This route is suitable for walking all year round.
The route is suitable for experienced walkers. In wet weather, waterproof footwear is essential, particularly in the tall grass along the hedgerow paths.

This route is listed in the PDIPR (Departmental Plan for Walking and Hiking Routes).

Follow the yellow signposts.

Short alternative route (9 km):
Follow the start of the description for the main route. When you reach point (1), continue straight on along the^GRP® Avesnois-Thiérache, signposted yellow on red. You will reach point . At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and then turn left onto Rue de la Cure. Cross the railway line and join the RD951. You will reach point (6). Continue the walk by following the description of the main route to the finish point.

Maison du Bocage

The church (S/E), built around 1557 and dedicated to Saint Remi, features a façade combining Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Café Rando Nord: La Mare aux Canards in Sémeries