Discover Liessies through two themes: the history of the abbey and the landscape of the park today. The abbey grounds are now a publicly accessible departmental park and part of the Nord department’s Espaces Naturels Sensibles network. Historic traces meet paths through a varied parkland landscape here. Visitor arrangements may change; check the latest information before your visit.

The Abbey and Sainte-Hiltrude Chapel

Liessies Abbey was founded in 764 and is one of the oldest Benedictine abbeys in Thiérache. Several elements of the complex remain: two fortified entrance towers, the irrigation system, parts of the farm buildings and stables, as well as the forge. The monks’ farm residence is also part of the site; today it is Château et Ferme de la Motte. Alongside the parkland, these remains add a historical and architectural dimension to a visit.

The Chapelle Sainte-Hiltrude is another testament to the past. It has been protected as a historic monument since 26 August 1947 and dates from the 19th century. The Détours art trail offers an approximately 30-minute there-and-back walk to the chapel. This makes it possible to combine a visit to a historic building with a walk, without confusing the chapel with the older remains of the abbey.

Art Trail and Landscape

The 6.8-kilometre Détours art trail passes through the village’s landscapes and heritage. Along the trail, you’ll encounter six works of art created by artists from across France specifically for their respective locations. Art, local history and landscape come together as the trail’s theme.

The Parc de l’Abbaye de Liessies covers 48 hectares. Its landscapes include wet meadows, wooded areas, ponds edged with reeds and centuries-old orchards. The park is also a stopover for white storks and black storks. Their presence is seasonal, and sightings are not guaranteed. Those especially interested in the landscape or birdlife will find a variety of habitats here, in an area shaped by meadows, water and woodland.

Choose Walking Routes by Distance and Time

For a short walk within the park, there is a 0.8-kilometre circular route. It carries the Tourisme et Handicap label for people with hearing impairments and reduced mobility. The label identifies the needs catered for; check the route and signage again before travelling, as details may change.

The Circuit de l’abbaye de Liessies is four kilometres long and takes about an hour. Information panels along this circular route explain the history of the site and its distinctive features. A longer option in terms of time is the 11-kilometre Circuit de l’Helpe à bois l’Abbé: it is listed as taking about three hours and leads into the Abbé-Val-Joly state forest. Trail conditions and forestry restrictions may change; check the latest information when planning your visit.

The Circuit vert du SI in the Liessies-Willies area is seven kilometres long and takes about one hour and 45 minutes. For this route, use the local walking leaflet and current on-site signage for guidance. The distance information offers a clear comparison: the four-kilometre Circuit de l’abbaye contrasts with a longer loop through the state forest, while the Circuit vert falls in between. The 0.8-kilometre circular route in the park is considerably shorter. The distances and estimated times can help you choose based on how much time you have, without implying anything about the level of difficulty.

Discover more destinations: Le Doulieu, Steene, Hazebrouck, Villers-Guislain, Pecquencourt, Anstaing, Halluin, Marchiennes.

For the broader travel overview: Nord.