The Battle of Aubers took place on 9 May 1915. The town also offers a marked walking trail and a seasonal fishing season at the Étangs Louis Castelain. Those planning a stay can choose between focusing on local history, going for a walk, and finding the right time to fish. The specific dates and times help connect these interests with different planning considerations.
War history and heritage
Aubers was under German control from October 1914 to 1918. The Battle of Aubers, which took place on 9 May 1915, falls within this period. Nearly 10,000 men serving in the British Army lost their lives in the battle. These dates place the individual event within a longer period in the town’s history.
A later point of reference is the Aubers Ridge British Cemetery (CWGC), which contains more than 700 graves. These include Australian graves of soldiers killed at Fromelles in July 1916. The Battle of Aubers and the connection to Fromelles therefore relate to different dates and historical contexts. Those exploring the town’s history can consider these sites separately rather than treating them as a single event.
The Église Saint-Vaast adds a religious and artistic dimension to the historical picture. It is a Catholic parish church and was formerly decorated with stained-glass windows and a painting attributed to Van Dyck. Its former furnishings offer a different perspective from the wartime events and broaden the heritage theme to include sacred art.
Walking and fishing season
The marked Circuit du Tilleul de Joncquoy is 7.5 kilometres long and is listed as taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at the church in Aubers. The route information therefore gives both the distance and a specific timeframe for planning. From the starting point, the circuit follows the chemin du Moulin de Piètre along the River Layes. This places the start at the church and a section by the river side by side as two clearly identified points along the route. Check the route information before setting out, as paths may change locally.
The fishing season at the Étangs Louis Castelain begins each year around April and ends on 31 October. The start of the season is therefore approximate, while the end date is specific; confirm the dates before your trip. The planning considerations differ depending on when you travel: for the circuit, the distance and duration matter, while fishing depends on the seasonal window. If you are planning your stay around fishing, focus your date checks on this window; for the walk, the route information is the practical reference point before setting out.
Aubers therefore offers two different ways to plan your time locally: a marked trail with a stated length and duration, or a seasonal activity at the Étangs Louis Castelain. The historical dimension can be explored independently through the battle, the cemetery, and the former furnishings of the parish church.
Discover more destinations: FĂ©ron, Gruson, Lecelles, Marcq-En-Baroeul, Petite-ForĂŞt, Steenwerck, Estreux, Steenbecque.
For the regional travel overview: Nord.
