The best walks and hikes around Rumes

At a T-junction, in a wall surrounding a large garden, stands a chapel dedicated to 'Mother Mary': a statue in the completely dilapidated interior depicts Our Lady with the child Jesus in her arms.

The Taintignies-Willemau water buffer basin ("Zone d'Immersion Temporaire" or "ZIT") was created in the middle of agricultural land to capture excess water from the fields, preventing it from reaching residential areas and causing flooding. The entire area is designed as a beautiful experience zone. While the boardwalks invite you to cross the water, that's clearly not the intention: a very clear prohibition sign is posted (at least during my visit, on frosty days). The dikes and grasslands are managed by sheep. In the long term, this area will undoubtedly develop into a fascinating habitat for (water) birds.

The Rue du Pélérin is a field path that can be quite muddy. This isn't surprising: the adjacent fields are overflowing, which brings excess water to the edges. For those who aren't afraid of wet feet, it's a lovely walk. At the northern end of this path, a water buffer basin ("Zone d'Immersion Temporel" or ZIT) has been constructed.

Like many churches in the region, the one in Taintignies is dedicated to Saint Amand. Saint Amand lived in the 7th century. In Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, not far from here in northern France, he founded an abbey at the behest of his patron, the Merovingian King Dagobert. His Christian proselytizing then continued along the Scarpe River to the Scheldt Valley. In Ghent, at the confluence of the Lys and Scheldt Rivers, Amand founded two more abbeys: Saint Bavo's and Saint Peter's, which later became rivals. The current church in Taintignies dates from 1890-1891. Be sure to take a look inside. The choir of angels behind the altar is particularly eye-catching.

The war memorial in Taintignies commemorates the military and civilian victims of the First and Second World Wars. It depicts a soldier with a rifle in his left hand and a laurel wreath and palm in his right, symbols of victory and peace. At the base of the monument is a plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the Concentration Camps.

Along the Rue du Bray, a country lane: a dilapidated stable, which is now gradually being taken over by nature.

Little is known about the original church. In 1769, the parish priest of Rumes complained to the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, the then owners of the building, that it was falling into disrepair. In 1784, the church was partially demolished and rebuilt on the same site, even though the parish at the time encompassed the very remote hamlets of La Glânerie, La Digue, and Petit-Rumes. The building, constructed of brick and bluestone, stands in the middle of the walled cemetery and has a basilica-like plan, preceded by a massive, 45-meter-high tower with five floors and three bell towers. The nave, plastered and painted, is in the Neo-Gothic style. The choir, built in the late Gothic style (late 16th century), has an 18th-century sacristy attached to it. The entire structure (46 m x 18 m) exudes great sobriety. In the choir, you can admire the tomb of the Counts of Beauffort (1560). The octagonal bluestone baptismal font from 1540 and an impressive Way of the Cross (1852) are also worth seeing. The pulpit (late 16th century) with the evangelists was renovated more recently. In 1943, the Germans stole two bells needed for the production of their weapons. These were replaced in 1957. After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), numerous renovations were made: complete separation of the choir and nave, lowering of the ceiling, removal of the altars and confessionals, and the installation of new tiles. Since 1986, the church has regained its original ceiling and choir, including new stained-glass windows (1994). Source: information board on site

The war memorial at the church in Rumes commemorates the military and civilian victims of the First and Second World Wars. The text on the memorial reads: "Victoire - Bravoure - Liberté" (Victoire - Bravoure - Liberté), "Rumes to its glorious deaths." On the left side: "They soar and merit glory"; on the right side: "They terrace the eagle and chase the tyrants."