Féron combines a protected natural area with a rich local history and a route exploring milk and cheese. This brings together a range of discoveries: the birdlife of a Natura 2000 site, the construction phases of the Church of Saint-Martin and an interactive experience featuring local stories.
Natural surroundings in the Natura 2000 site
Féron is part of the 8,144-hectare “Forêt, bocage, étangs de Thiérache” Natura 2000 protected area. The protected area as a whole includes forests, wetlands and ponds, as well as meadows and bocage landscapes. These different habitats form the natural setting of the area.
Bird species found in the Natura 2000 site include the black stork, red-backed shrike, kingfisher, osprey, eagle owl and black kite. Those interested in nature and wildlife when choosing a destination will find a clear connection here. The habitats and species mentioned describe the protected area as a whole.
Saint-Martin and local history
The first written mention of Féron appears in a deed of donation from 1095: Thierry d’Avesnes transferred something to the Abbey of Liessies. The Church of Saint-Martin became a parish church around 1627. Its tower had already been raised and fitted with loopholes in 1614; the choir was rebuilt in 1784. This chronology reveals several distinct construction phases of the church.
Saint-Martin has been listed as a Monument historique since 10 February 1948. Both its architectural development and its protected status are among the defining historical themes of the village. For history enthusiasts, the chronology offers a specific insight into changes to a single building, rather than reducing local history to a single date.
The forge and Château de Pont-de-Sains
Féron is also connected with industrial history. The Abbey of Liessies developed the forge industry in connection with the village; in 1791, it still owned a blast furnace at Rue Heureuse. In Pont-de-Sains, Philippe de Lallis from Glageon founded a forge in 1581. These details show different stages in the history of forging without conflating them into a single business.
After the confiscations of the Revolution, the Château de Pont-de-Sains came into Talleyrand’s possession. He had a wing added in 1808 and another storey in 1829. Thus, Pont-de-Sains’s history brings together the early founding of a forge and later alterations to the château. Those interested in the development of buildings and industry can explore these as distinct historical themes.
The Route du lait bio and the cheese dairy
Described in autumn 2025, the “Route du lait bio” in Féron combines local stories with treasure-hunt activities, quiz questions and riddles. This interactive experience is designed for families or friends and gives exploring a shared, playful focus.
The route includes the cheese dairy at ESAT Ferme du Pont-de-Sains. When the dairy is open, visitors can enter the viewing corridor and discover how Maroilles cheese is made. When the dairy is closed, the workshop can be viewed through two exterior glass doors. Access to the viewing corridor is therefore explicitly subject to the dairy being open; check the conditions for your visit in advance.
The route description published in autumn 2025 names the car park at the equestrian centre of ESAT Ferme du Pont-de-Sains as the starting point. Another stop is planned at Ferme du Piopot, where information can be read via the Baladavesnois app. For planning, both the stated starting point and the stops shown on the route are relevant.
Farmers’ market and regional products
For 2026, the “Marchés de l’Avesnois” farmers’ market is scheduled to take place on the village square on the second Sunday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check the date before travelling. Ferme du Pont de Sains makes organic Maroilles cheese and flamiche, and sells its own products and regional produce directly from the farm. The market and farm shop therefore offer two different ways to discover regional foods.
Discover more destinations: Dimont, Mons-En-Pévèle, Douchy-Les-Mines, Wormhout, Steenwerck, Somain, Armbouts-Cappel, Ramousies.
See the regional travel overview: Nord.
