The Moulin des Tricoteries combines an unusual water system with a precisely dated milling history in Le Favril. The village is also home to Saint-Nicolas Church with its protected works of art, other religious buildings, a leisure park and a seasonal producers’ market. This gives you a range of ways to explore the area on your trip—from industrial history and nature to local produce.
Moulin des Tricoteries: Mill and Water System
The Moulin des Tricoteries was built by J. P. Salengros in the mid-18th century. On 27 March 1757, it was granted the right to grind grain. Its location in a bend of the Riviérette is part of a distinctive water system: a partly underground channel supplied the mill and was connected to a millpond upstream. If you are interested in mill heritage, you will find here not only the building’s history but also a specific example of how a river, channel and millpond were connected.
Saint-Nicolas Church and Older Religious Buildings
Saint-Nicolas Church has several distinct building phases: the nave was built in 1672, and the bell tower was rebuilt in 1897. The church also houses two protected movable cultural assets. A pewter cruet is protected as a movable cultural asset, and a 96 cm-high polychrome wooden sculptural group has been protected since 1978. These works of craftsmanship add to the history of the church building.
Le Favril’s small religious buildings also offer a clear sense of their dates. The Chapel of Le Bon Dieu de Gibelot on Rue d'Ors was built in 1694 and is considered the oldest element of the commune’s built heritage. The Chapel of Notre-Dame des Affligés on Route de Landrecies dates from 1704. The Saint-Druon oratory on Rue de la Bouflette dates to 1778. These dates bring out the differences between the individual buildings without grouping them into a single building phase.
Parc de loisirs du Waterlin
The Parc de loisirs du Waterlin brings together several attractions: an animal park, an arboretum with 220 different ornamental tree species, an orchard with more than 200 apple trees, a museum of agricultural machinery and a fishing pond. Here, plants and agriculture sit alongside animals, technology and water. This makes the park quite different from the historic religious buildings and the mill’s history. Check the latest opening times and visitor information before your visit.
La Chambre d'eau and Its Cultural Programme
La Chambre d'eau, a multidisciplinary artists’ residency centre, is also located in the Moulin des Tricoteries. Its 2023 programme description lists laboratory residencies, open workshops, production residencies, and residencies for artists and researchers. It also features Eclectic Campagne(s), a biennial festival, and Échappées, a programme that takes place at different venues. These formats give the venue a cultural focus distinct from that of the historic mill itself. As the programme and access arrangements may change, check the latest information before visiting.
Les Marchés de l'Avesnois
The Les Marchés de l'Avesnois producers’ market changes venue with the seasons: from April to September it is held at La petite ferme de Denis et Sophie, and from October to March at the salle des fêtes. In 2026, the weekly market is scheduled for Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can take the season and day of the week into account when planning; check in advance whether the date falls within your travel period.
Discover more destinations: Haulchin, Saint-Hilaire-Sur-Helpe, Prémesques, Clairfayts, Honnecourt-Sur-Escaut, Steene, Cappelle-La-Grande, Sin-Le-Noble.
View the wider travel guide: Nord.
