Watten walks

Discover the waterways of the Audomarois, a beautiful area of Hauts-de-France.

Stroll along the hedgerows surrounding the orchards, discover the Chinese cemetery and the typical farms built of yellow or red brick or stone, a reminder that we are indeed at the confluence of Flanders and Artois. Then, let yourself be haunted by the ghost of the Aa, which lurks along the waterways…

This is a route through the heart of the Audomarois marshes along a marked trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

Houses, each with its own dock and boat moored on the Lansberg. People fishing practically from their homes. Cottages, each more beautiful than the last. Little market gardeners' boats loaded with crates of vegetables heading off to who knows where.Truly, the passage along the Lansberg will delight you with its beauty.You'll find a tranquil, picturesque feel that's rare in the region.

This trail takes you through a wooded landscape at the edge of the Artois hills, interspersed with canals and watergangs. The varied relief offers a unique panorama, a superb walk with a breathtaking view.

A glimpse into Polincove’s history, exploring its ancient water-related heritage. This route is designed as a walk punctuated by information panels about these iconic sites in our town: do take the time to read them. Ideal for families.

Here in Hennuin, you are at the heart of the Aa Delta – in the land of the wateringues, to be precise. A five-stage interpretive trail is on offer to help you understand the importance of water management in this land reclaimed from the sea.

This path, where land and water merge, is a walking trail that takes you alongside the watergangs (drainage structures designed to drain low-lying marshes and wetlands) and allows you to observe, with your family, the animal and plant species native to wetland habitats.

A walk that combines crossing the Clairmarais market garden marsh with the Romelaëre Nature Reserve.Lots of birdwatching: ash herons, coots, storks... And the star attraction of this walk: crossing the canals on the chain ferries, which will appeal to young and old alike!Please note: chain ferries and drawbridges only operate from March 15 to September 5.

Starting from the path to Paradis, in the shade of the hawthorn hedges, come and discover the large wet pastures, the Booenghem marsh and the nature barn. Then cross the Bachelin marshes and peat bogs before following the magnificent path that runs alongside the River Booneghem through the small marsh. This circular route mainly follows paths.

This route is divided between marshland, bocage and forest. It crosses Flanders before returning to the Audomarois region. In the first part of this itinerary, walkers will see street names in Flemish. This is a signposted trail of the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

A pleasant route, with the chance to enjoy a nice break at the lovely café in Quelmes. Route amended in August 2026 to take Dominoe’s comments into account. I hope it will be better, but I haven’t been in the area for quite some time.

Thirty-seventh stage from the Jura to Hauts-de-France, via the Francigena. This flat stage follows the waterways as you explore Maritime Flanders and the network of waterways that criss-cross the landscape. You walk alongside the Canaux de la Haute Colme and the Canal de Bourbourg before reaching the outskirts of Dunkirk. After passing through Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, you discover the city of Dunkirk. France’s third-largest port, here you don’t need to have your sea legs to set off and discover the history of the Iceland fishermen, walk in the footsteps of the famous privateer Jean Bart, or simply stroll around the Place du Mynck, through the marinas or along the Malo-les-Bains seafront.

South of Audruicq, discover the Brédenarde, a landscape of hedgerows, fruit trees and wooded countryside.Starting from Zutkerque or Polincove, take the ‘Dame aux Loups’ trail, named in honour of the Baronessde Draëck; you can admire her château, the first hills of Artois and follow the winding course of the Hem: the river of mills.

A lovely walk through woods and hedged farmland to the pretty Chapelle Saint-Louis. It's a signposted trail run by the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

During this route, walkers will pass through the Tournehem National Forest, which covers 988 hectares. They will see old windmills and the Hem valley.This is a signposted trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

The Sentier des Fontinettes invites you to discover the sometimes unexpected natural treasures of Arques: from the Étang de Beauséjour to the Étang de Malhôve, via the Rihoult Forest and the canal towpath, not forgetting the water sports centre and the boat lift.

This route will take you through a variety of landscapes: the Plateau des Landes Regional Nature Reserve and the plain. It is a signposted trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community. This trail shares a few kilometres with the Longatte de Blendecques route.

The Wavrans-sur-l'Aa nature reserve consists of two hillsides separated by a dry valley, Mont Carrière and Montagne d'Elnes. The chalky slopes of the reserve are steep and unusual for the region. They were also "sculpted" by the bombs of the Second World War.

A short walk around the La Coupole blockhouse, where forest and magnificent ponds come together.

This route will take you through several different types of landscape: the Plateau des Landes regional nature reserve, the plain and the Neuffossé Canal. The latter separates the Pas-de-Calais department from the Nord department. It is a marked trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

This trail takes you across the coastal plain, which stretches as far as the eye can see, and allows you to explore, within the dune system, a preserved natural area: the Platier d’Oye National Nature Reserve.

A very long time ago, the sea covered this area at high tide, but the ingenuity of the Benedictine monks inthe 10th century led to the construction of a network of drainage channels: the watergangs. This area, with its light, sandy soil, is ideal for growing chicory. Large buildings made of yellow or red brick were once used to dry chicory roots. The people made the most of this gift from Mother Nature by building mills.