The Ghost of the Aa Trail in Ruminghen

Park in the car park on the square by the former town hall in Ruminghem, behind the church.

(S/E) Take the road opposite the starting sign, then turn left onto the Grand Chemin de l’Église. At the square in front of the new town hall, turn right onto Rue de la Gare.

(1) Turn left onto Rue de la Liettre and walk along the river on your left. Take the grassy path before the water channel on the right and carry straight on.

(2) Cross the bridge and continue carefully to the right along the road. At the end of the long straight stretch, turn right to cross the railway line and take the Chemin du Cuppe.

(3) Turn right again and cross the bridge. Follow the Calais–Saint-Omer Canal until you reach Rue du Rivage.

(4) Turn right onto Rue du Rivage. Ignore Rue de la Miette on your right and carry on until you reach the Fork in the road about 150 metres further on.

(5) Head slightly left onto Rue Saint-Martin, then take the first path on the right. Walk past a few hunting huts for about 1.5 km.

(6) At the end of the path, turn right onto Rue de la Drève and follow it for about 300 m, then turn left at the junction.

(7) As you approach the River Aa at Le Ruth, turn right onto the track and continue along the small road until you reach the main road; walk carefully along the right-hand side of this for about 150 metres.

(8) Turn left onto the Chemin Vert. 50 m after the level crossing, take the path on your right, which runs higher up alongside the railway line before veering away to the left. Pass the Villa Rustica, which has been converted into an equestrian centre, and you’ll come to a T-junction.

(9) Turn right onto the Petit Chemin de l’Église. Carry on straight ahead, passing a few orchards: in the distance, you’ll see the white cylindrical tower of an old fortified castle.

(10) Once you reach the edge of the village, turn right into Rue de Saint-Antoine. Cross the D217 with care and continue straight ahead onto Rue du Centre.

(11) Before the level crossing, turn left and walk alongside the railway line. Just before the station, turn left again onto Rue de la Gare, keep left at the square by the new town hall and return to the starting point on the right after passing the school (S/E).

More information on Porte d’Opale tourism

Saint-Martin Church

Ruminghem is one of the oldest villages in the Audruicq region. It is first mentioned as part of the lands of Saint-Bertin Abbey as early as 858. A fortified castle is said to have been built there in the 4th century, with a church erected nearby. The present church dates from 1806, whilst its crenellated bell tower is older, dating from 1791.

Chinese Cemetery: Ruminghem Chinese Cemetery

This cemetery was established by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in tribute to the Chinese labourers who were in the area during the^First World War. Under the command of the British Army, they were responsible for guarding an ammunition depot. Many fell victim to German bombardments. There are 75 graves here. At the entrance to the cemetery, admire two Ginkgo biloba trees, known as ‘thousand-coin trees’, native to Asia.

Calais–Saint-Omer Canal

In the 17th century, when Artois was incorporated into the French Crown, this 30-kilometre-long waterway was constructed to link the River Aa to Calais.

Villa Rustica

Now converted into an equestrian centre, the Villa Rustica, with its square tower, was home in the Middle Ages to serfs, livestock and their crops, under the control of a religious community.

Fortified Farm

Originally a fortress and later a castle, it still features a cylindrical tower, a moat and a glacis.