The best walks and hikes around Poix-Du-Nord

Monument to the victims of WW1

Small river with waterfall in Ghissignies

The castle, built in the 12th century by Baldwin IV of Hainaut, was the home of the Counts of Hainaut, also Counts of Holland and Zeeland. Its last sovereign was a woman who was born in the castle in 1401. Charles the Bold and then his daughter were the last sovereigns to reside there. It was then abandoned and almost completely abandoned from the 16th century. Of the prestigious castle of the Middle Ages, few remains remain: an entrance gate and a set of remarkable Romanesque cellars. The current large building called Cernay actually dates from 1681.

Monument and commemorative plaque in honour of Leon Mallard and Roger Robert, members of the FFI (Forces françaises de l'intérieur) who lost their lives near this gate during the recapture of Le Quesnoy on 2 September 1944.

The fortifications of Le Quesnoy date back to the Middle Ages and were further strengthened in the 17th century under the direction of the famous military engineer Vauban. These fortifications were necessary to protect the city from attacks and sieges. The fortifications have been declassified since 1901, but they are still well maintained. The remparts are designed in a Renaissance style with heavily fortified walls and gateways. They are built of brick and stone, which is typical of the military architecture of that period. The fortifications include several bastions, such as the Porte Faurœulx and the Bastion Vert, which are strategically placed to protect the city.

The Jardin de la Paix Belge was created in 2018 by the collective artist group Plan B, consisting of Thomas Van Eeckhout and Mathieu Allain. The park is located in the fortifications of Le Quesnoy and is a symbol of peace and memory. The park was designed with a concept in which part of the city walls of Le Quesnoy is projected horizontally onto a lawn. The walls, originally 12 meters high, are now terraces that offer a peaceful place for walks and reflection. The use of brick and natural materials, such as engraved stones, emphasizes the historical and cultural ties between the regions.

The Palace of Margaret of Burgundy in Le Quesnoy is a historic building that used to serve as the residence of Margaret of Burgundy, Duchess of Bavaria-Straubing and Countess of Hainaut, Holland, Zeeland and Oosterbant. Margaret of Burgundy (1374-1441) was the daughter of Philip the Bold of Burgundy and Margaret of Male. She married William VI of Holland in 1385, and after his death in 1417 she continued to live in Le Quesnoy as a dowager. The palace was one of her favorite residences, and she lived there with her daughter Jacoba of Bavaria. The palace is designed in a Renaissance style with strongly fortified walls and gateways strategically placed to protect the city. The building is built of brick and stone, which is typical of the military architecture of that period.

The belfry, also known as the Tour de l'Horloge, was built in the 17th century during the period of the fortified city of Le Quesnoy. The city had a more strategically important position and was fortified by the famous military engineer Vauban. The belfry served as a wake-up tower and a refuge during sieges. The belfry is designed in a Renaissance style with a circular plan. It is approximately 30 meters high and features a copper alarm clock that announces the hours. The tower is built of brick and stone and is decorated with various decorative elements that reflect the rich history of the city. In addition to its architectural value, the belfry also had an important function in the daily life of the city. It housed the city clock that woke and kept the inhabitants awake. During wars and sieges, it served as a strategic point for the defense of the city.