Dourlers preserves very different historical details at its chapel and church: a chapel dating from the late 15th century was once attached to a hospice, while the present-day Église Saint-Médard replaced earlier church buildings in 1862. There is also the Circuit du Mont Dourlers, with two designated route lengths.

Chapelle Saint Julien and Église Saint-Médard

The Chapelle Saint Julien dates from the late 15th century and was originally attached to a hospice. The hospice took in travelers, people in need and pilgrims seeking food or a place to stay for the night. The building’s history therefore also reflects an earlier role in the area: supporting people on the road. Its building materials are brick and blue Hainaut stone; Gothic elements can be seen at the side entrance. The chapel and its boundary wall have been fully restored. Further restoration work to renovate the chapel’s interior is planned.

The present-day Église Saint-Médard replaced earlier church buildings in 1862 and was built in the Renaissance style. It contains the tombstone of A.F. Bady, Lord of Dourlers, who died in 1735, and his wife Marguerite Rouillon, who died in 1760. Another detail is found in the vault of the right-hand chapel: it is lined with wood and decorated with the year 1517, painted garlands and flowerpots. To interpret the dates, it is worth distinguishing between them: 1862 refers to the replacement of earlier church buildings, while 1517 appears on the vault.

Circuit du Mont Dourlers and Mur des Sarrazins

A route description published by the Regional Park in 2018 lists 7-kilometer and 10-kilometer options for the Circuit du Mont Dourlers; both start at the church in Dourlers. In this description, the 10-kilometer option passes the Mur des Sarrazins, which is believed to be the remains of a Roman aqueduct. The ruins are located at the hamlet of Trieu Gaillon, about 500 meters north of the church, and extend for around 20 meters along a local connecting road. The kilometer figures refer to the walking route options; the roughly 20 meters refers to the ruins along the road. Check local trail conditions and markings before setting out.

Parc Communal

Parc Communal is located on Rue Jean Coin. You can also reach it on foot via Ruelle des Espagnols at the lower end of Rue Jean Coin. As access details may change, check them before your visit.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Dourlers, planning your day can be a useful starting point: would you prefer to focus on the architectural and historical details of the chapel and church, or is choosing between the two walking routes more important to you? The 10-kilometer option passes the Mur; the 7-kilometer option is the shorter route.

Discover more destinations: Clairfayts, Auberchicourt, Gondecourt, Coutiches, Sains-Du-Nord, Tourcoing, Ennevelin, Estreux.

For the overview of the wider region: Nord.