Hordain walks

Between Hordain and its gentle industrial reflections, this country trail invites you to escape along old paths lined with green embankments. With every step, the distant murmur of the canal mingles with birdsong, promising instant immersion in a reinvented countryside. Bouchain welcomes you with its historic fortifications and peaceful river branches, before Marquette-en-Ostrevant opens up to landscapes where locks punctuate the walk. Finally, Wavrechain-sous-Faulx unfolds its patchwork of meadows and hedgerows, offering you a bucolic interlude, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

It has it all: the Scheldt Canal, the Sensée, ponds and a village. Everything you need for a lovely day by the water. This walk is partly on tarmac, except along the rivers and ponds. Refreshment stop via Bouchain.

An old abandoned port known as the Bassin Rond, a peaceful walk to listen to the birds, following the Escaut Canal and its lock, with a riverside café. A pond, a river, meadows, and three villages to pass through – everything you need for a lovely day out with the family.

What's in store: after a short kilometer of uphill northern cobblestones to warm up your calves, you'll plunge into the Thun l'Evèque marshland before following the Escaut and Sensée canals along the towpaths. Along the way, you're sure to come across green collars, moorhens, herons and cormorants, as well as barges and fishermen.

Starting from Paillencourt, the walk begins in a lively atmosphere, where the murmur of the town accompanies your first steps. Gradually, the houses become more spread out, the narrow streets widen and give way to the changing colours of the fields. Between small roads and gentle paths, the countryside unfolds its landscapes as far as Estrun, where water and greenery blend in an almost picturesque tranquillity. This is a route that plays with contrasts: the urban energy gradually gives way to the serenity of the countryside, culminating in a finale where you feel completely transported.

In the heart of the Valenciennes region, a bucolic trail starts in Wasnes-au-Bac and connects the towns of Marquette-en-Ostrevant, Marcq-en-Ostrevent, Féchain, Hem-Lenglet and Paillencourt. The route, lined with hedgerows and rolling meadows, is perfect for strolling between villages with authentic charm and landscapes shaped by local agriculture. Accessible to all and adaptable to your pace, this route can be enjoyed in every season, from the blossoming spring to the soft hues of autumn. A few local snacks and a detailed map are all you need to fully savour this getaway, between contemplative breaks and heritage discoveries.

From peaceful Thun-Saint-Martin, the first steps lead along paths lined with greenery where the fresh air invites you to breathe deeply. The trail quickly heads towards Iwuy, a charming village with quiet streets, dotted with typical facades and a peaceful way of life. As you continue, the countryside unfolds in all its nuances, mixing open fields, country hedges and small tree-lined roads. The arrival in Thun-l'Évêque brings a touch of history and character, with its ancient stones and unique atmosphere. This route alternates between open spaces and cosy villages, offering a walk where each stage reveals a different side of the area.

Set off on an inspiring getaway from Avesnes-le-Sec, where the village's cobblestones give way to a network of country lanes. You will find yourself immersed in a vibrant landscape of green meadows and secret groves as you head towards Lieu-Saint-Amand. Next, head for Noyelles-sur-Selle, where the peaceful riverbanks and rural heritage invite you to stop and contemplate. Every turn reveals a new facet of the Hainaut countryside, between authentic villages and the murmur of running water, for a journey that is both rejuvenating and full of surprises. Don't forget your camera and your curiosity: this loop is a real open book on the gentle way of life in the North.

Starting from Noyelles-sur-Selle, take a rural route where sunken lanes and peaceful riverbanks intertwine. This route takes you to Douchy-lès-Mines, where the vegetated slag heaps are a reminder of the area's mining history, then to the restored canals of Denain before following the Escaut River to Neuville-sur-Escaut. Further on, the medieval ramparts of Bouchain rise up from the meadows, and your arrival in Lieu-Saint-Amand reveals a mosaic of forests and farmland. Bring good walking shoes, a detailed map and a water bottle to make the most of this authentic escape in the Valenciennes area.

Miss S.’s Year 5 and Year 6 classes (2019–2020) present a walking tour designed to help you discover the lives of miners, historical remains and mining infrastructure in the town of Lourches and its surroundings. Many points of interest are illustrated with one or more photos: click on the link to access the explanations (the research was carried out by our pupils).

Set off on a bucolic walk from Haspres, where the paths open onto green meadows and hedgerows. You will soon cross Verchain-Maugré, with its stone farms and old ivy-covered walls, before reaching Monchaux-sur-Écaillon, where the stream flows peacefully along the banks. Every moment of this loop invites you to slow down: birdsong, the scent of wild flowers and the glimpse of a chapel in the countryside punctuate your progress. Don't forget your water bottle and camera to capture these authentic landscapes and prolong the pleasure beyond this getaway.

From Ramillies, let your feet guide you along peaceful paths, where the fresh air and open views invite you to slow down. Very soon, Eswars appears on the horizon, a charming village surrounded by greenery, reflecting the typical tranquillity of the Cambrésis countryside. As you continue towards Escaudœuvres, the scenery comes alive with touches of heritage and a discreet industrial legacy, offering a subtle contrast to the gentle landscapes you pass through. This is an ideal route for enjoying the simplicity of a walk where nature and history intertwine harmoniously.

From the peaceful heart of Cagnoncles, the walk begins gently, like a break from time. The paths wind their way between fields and low hedges, where shades of green and gold blend together depending on the season. The breeze rustles the crops, while the occasional song of a bird breaks the soothing silence. With each step, the horizon seems to stretch out endlessly, inviting you to look up at the vast sky that accompanies your walk. Little by little, the silhouette of Naves appears, carried by its bell tower that dominates the red roofs and guides the walker. Entering the village brings a subtle change: the familiar smell of sun-warmed stones, the discreet murmur of gardens and the feeling of being welcomed into a place where every alleyway has a story to tell. It is a journey where you move at the pace of the landscape, savouring the contrast between the open expanses and the intimate charm of a small village in the Cambrésis region

Starting from Avesnes-les-Aubert, this route opens up like a timeless interlude. The paths first lead you to Saint-Aubert, a peaceful village straight out of a postcard, where bell towers dot the horizon. The road continues to Villers-en-Cauchies, with its serene lanes and agricultural landscapes that exude tranquillity. Then comes Rieux-en-Cambrésis, nestled in the heart of the fields, where rural history blends with village life. Between bucolic passages, encounters with local heritage and gentle panoramas, this getaway offers a concentration of charm and authenticity, ideal for getting some fresh air and recharging your batteries.

From Blécourt, follow a peaceful route through the lush landscapes of the Cambrésis region. The paths wind their way through fields and meadows, leading first to Cuvillers, where tranquillity and authenticity reign supreme, then to Bantigny, a small village with discreet charm, before reaching Abancourt and its panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Here, every step is an invitation to savour the silence of the country lanes, observe the work of the land and soak up the gentle atmosphere of the area. An ideal getaway to recharge your batteries and rediscover the simple riches of rural life.

Short hike around the area developed around the Sainte-Marie slag heap.

From Neuville-Saint-Rémy, set off on a loop that combines city energy with the peace and quiet of the countryside. After leaving the bustling streets behind, the route takes you to Tilloy-lez-Cambrai, on the edge of the countryside, before reaching Cambrai, a city of art and history where every façade seems to tell a story of a rich and eventful past. Then head for Raillencourt-Sainte-Olle, where the landscape opens up again, offering wide horizons and striking tranquillity. Between narrow streets, monuments, green paths and industrial touches, this route reveals all the diversity and character of the area. An ideal itinerary for those who enjoy discovering contrasting and harmonious atmospheres as they walk.

From Saint-Hilaire-lez-Cambrai, the paths open onto a bright countryside where the scent of earth mingles with birdsong. The road first leads to Quiévy, a charming village with a strong agricultural past, where red brick houses dot the landscape. Continuing on, the paths wind between golden fields and green hedges to Saint-Vaast-en-Cambrésis, a haven of tranquillity with picturesque narrow streets. Between generous nature and village authenticity, this route invites you to slow down, breathe and savour all the gentleness of the region.

Departure from the car park at the Cantimpré river port, Place Marcelin Berthelot in Cambrai.The route follows the Saint-Quentin canal dyke, takes the Chemin Noir and makes a circular loop through the Bois Chenu, then returns to the starting point along the canal and the Scheldt.If you enjoy peace and quiet, avoid doing this route at the weekend: there are lots of sports enthusiasts in the morning and lots of families out walking in the afternoon when the weather is fine.

Tour of Cambrai by the rural roads. Leaving the town along the canal towpath, and returning along the banks of the Escaut.

Explore Bruille-les-Marchiennes, the ancient lime tree at the Muid farm (classified as a remarkable tree), then Villers Campeau (Somain) with its 17th-century ‘château’, a testament to an aristocratic residence, and finally, the Sainte-Marie slag heap in Auberchicourt, an iconic feature of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Heritage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.