In the footsteps of Henri Matisse, discovering the treasures of his hometown

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A route allowing you to explore the town of Le Cateau-Cambrésis.

Details

n°4235551
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.00 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 79 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 79 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 371 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 292 ft
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Photos

Matisse Museum
Le Cateau Belfry
Saint-Martin Church

Description of the walk

Start at the Esplanade du Bois Monplaisir: landscaped coach station and car park.

(S/E) Head south towards the town centre and walk along the River Selle on your left. At the end of the path, turn left onto Rue du Bois Monplaisir.

(1) At the end, turn left, cross the bridge over the Selle and head up Rue Charles Seydoux. Walk past the Matisse Museum and its monumental fountain. Then turn right onto Rue Émile Zola (chapel). At the end, turn left onto Rue Pasteur then right onto Rue des Fusiliers. At the end, follow Rue Marc Legay straight ahead, slightly to the left.

Opposite the Lycée Camille Desmoulins, turn right and walk down Rue Robert Ruffin. Cross Rue de la République and take the Pont d’Arcole.

(2) As you leave the bridge, turn right onto Rue des Digues. Then turn left into Rue Carville. At the end, turn left into Rue Auguste Seydoux. Walk past the former Saint-Joseph Church, then turn left into Rue Lupin. At the end, turn right onto Rue de Péronne-sur-Selle (former wash house). At the stop sign, turn left onto Rue du Pont Fourneau; note the Espace Maurice Thuru and cross the Selle again.

As you leave the footbridge, take the footpath on the right, Route Regnaudin. At thefirst junction, keep right. At the next junction, turn sharply right to cross the Selle again. As you leave the footbridge, turn left. Go straight on, ignoring a turn-off on the right, and cross the Selle once more.

(3) At the end of the footpath, turn left onto Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny. Cross Rue de la République (on the left-hand side) and continue along Rue du Maréchal Mortier. Take thefirst right, Avenue Henri Matisse, and walk to the “Les Abeilles” stained-glass window at the Matisse school complex.

Retrace your steps, then take Rue du Maréchal Mortier (the D12) again, on the right. Follow this street straight on and discover several mansions and the remains of a convent.

(4) At the crossroads, turn right onto Rue du Marché aux Chevaux (still the D12). Note the historic abbey brewery on the left (open to visitors). Cross Rue de Landrecies (on the right) and continue straight on along Rue Fontaine à Gros Bouillons. Note the old ramparts at the far end of the ramparts car park. Walk straight down to the wash house.

Turn left onto Rue Chanzy, then take thesecond left onto Rue des Remparts. At the municipal cinema, head towards the Ponsin car park exit on the right. At the end, first turn left then right to follow Rue des Savetiers and reach Place du Général de Gaulle on your right.

(5) Continue straight ahead, cross Place Sadi Carnot and turn left towards Saint-Martin Church (the former abbey church). Retrace your steps.

(5) Turn left into Place du Général de Gaulle and walk past the statue of Édouard Mortier. Facing the belfry of the town hall, veer right and go under a portico to reach Rue Victor Hugo. At the end, first turn left then right to follow Rue Chanzy to the Herbin School Complex (stained-glass window). Then turn left to reach Place du 3 Septembre and the René Ledieu Municipal Theatre.

Turn left again, cross the car park and turn right onto Rue Fontellaye-Déjardin. At the junction, turn right, staying on Rue Fontellaye-Déjardin (D12). Cross the Selle and immediately take a path on the left. Follow the river to the Esplanade du Bois Monplaisir (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 292 ft - Esplanade du Bois Monplaisir - Selle (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.12 - alt. 305 ft - Matisse Museum
  3. 2 : mi 0.48 - alt. 299 ft - Arcole Bridge (Le Cateau-Cambrésis) - Selle (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 1.34 - alt. 341 ft - Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny
  5. 4 : mi 1.79 - alt. 361 ft - Rue du Marché aux Chevaux
  6. 5 : mi 2.41 - alt. 351 ft - Statue of Edouard Mortier - Access to the - Église Saint-Martin (Le Cateau-Cambrésis)
  7. S/E : mi 3 - alt. 292 ft - Esplanade du Bois Monplaisir - Selle (rivière)

Notes

Route listed in the PDIPR (Departmental Plan for Walking and Hiking Routes).

Follow the yellow markings.

Worth a visit

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