The Escaut is the main watercourse running through Banteux; the Canal de Saint-Quentin also runs through the commune. On foot, the Circuit de Vaucelles offers a specific route that starts and ends at the Église de Banteux. Other trails offer their own highlights: one section provides a panoramic view of the Escaut Valley, while another runs along the canal through the countryside. This lets you explore Banteux through a range of landscape and hiking themes.

The Circuit de Vaucelles on foot

The Circuit de Vaucelles is 12.6 kilometres long. The hike begins at the Église de Banteux and follows a green towpath along the canal to the Vaucelles lock. After crossing the canal, the trail returns to the church. The church, towpath, and lock are key landmarks along the route: you can see where the tour starts, where it leads, and where it ends.

The Circuit is listed as taking about four hours to walk. Allow for this walking time and plan any breaks separately. The trail sign advises caution when crossing the RD 103 and the RN 44. Also check the current conditions on the towpath before setting out. These practical tips can help you plan the route as a separate activity, rather than treating the walking time as the total duration of an outing.

Views over the valley and trails by the water

One section of the Un détour par Honnecourt trail overlooks the Escaut Valley and offers a panoramic view of the villages of Banteux and Bantouzelle. Here, the landscape takes centre stage: the view encompasses the valley and both villages. This differs from the Circuit de Vaucelles, whose description specifies a route length, a starting point, and a return to the church.

The Sur la trace du chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle et de l’Escaut trail also follows its own route. After crossing the Escaut and the Canal de Saint-Quentin, it runs along the towpath through the countryside. The river and canal are not merely names on a map but landmarks along the route as described. If you are interested in the waterside landscape, you can distinguish this trail, with its crossings and canal-side section, from the hike offering views over the valley.

The Vaucelles site

The Circuit de Vaucelles also offers a chance to discover the Vaucelles site, where the largest Cistercian church in Europe was built. The Abbaye de Vaucelles is outside Banteux and is classified as a Monument historique. This means you can consider Banteux’s hiking trails and the historic site as different themes for a stay, without confusing the abbey’s location with the village centre.

Visitor areas at the Abbaye include the 12th-century cloister building, rooms for workshops, the park, and the gardens. The visitor regulations apply to both individual visitors and groups. As access conditions may be adjusted by the site, check the current conditions before your visit. These areas provide specific points of interest for a visit: historic architecture, workshop rooms, and outdoor spaces.

River tourism and fishing are also highlighted in Banteux. They add further water-related interests to the hiking themes. When planning your trip, you can weigh up different options: a marked hiking route with an approximate walking time, views over the Escaut Valley, or trails and activities centred on the Escaut and the Canal de Saint-Quentin.

Discover more destinations: Potelle, Lezennes, Hem, Mons-En-Pévèle, Romeries, Trelon, Ghyvelde, Fourmies.

Go to the wider travel overview: Nord.