Marchiennes combines wetlands, trails along the Scarpe River and local history. For planning your visit, you can choose from different highlights: a protected marshland area, hiking and cycling trails, a museum in the former Bailliage prisons, and the history of a local coffee roastery. This lets you tailor your stay to nature, outdoor activities or culture without combining the different routes and visits into a fixed itinerary.
Marshland, forest trails and the Scarpe River
The Réserve naturelle nationale de la Tourbière alcaline de Marchiennes covers 34 hectares of typical marshland. It offers a distinct nature-focused attraction alongside the trails through the forêt de Marchiennes, which has hiking and cycling routes in a natural area designated as Natura 2000. If you prefer a walk by the water, the towpath along the Scarpe in Marchiennes offers a 13-kilometre riverside route.
For a different perspective, head to the summit of Terril de Germignies Nord, which overlooks the Scarpe plain. The marshland, forest trails, riverside route and viewpoint offer different ways to experience the landscape.
Distinguishing between hikes and cycling routes
Le circuit de l'abbaye is an easy 10.0-kilometre hiking route. It starts in the heart of Marchiennes and heads towards a state forest and the towpath along the Scarpe. The route therefore offers a clearly defined distance and a specific starting point for planning. Check local conditions before setting out.
The Circuit de l'Elpret starts at Place Gambetta on Rue de l'Abbaye in Marchiennes. Check local signposting for the starting point before your hike. A longer cycling option is the 23.5-kilometre route Tomme sur le pouce au pays des grenouilles rousses, which passes through Marchiennes and follows the Voie Verte de la Plaine de la Scarpe. The two distances refer to different formats—a leisurely hike and a cycling route—and can help you gauge the time and activity level involved. Check the route and signposting before setting off.
The Voie verte de la Plaine de la Scarpe runs from Fenain to Orchies. The landscape along this route includes pastures, rows of willows and natural hedgerows.
Museum, church and local coffee history
The Musée d’Histoire locale de Marchiennes is housed in the former Bailliage prisons. Its collections are spread across six rooms and cover topics from prehistory to modern times. Highlights include a 1791 relief map of Marchiennes and the former dungeons. The displays may change with future exhibitions. The museum’s historical scope thus links the town’s early history with a specific historical map and the building’s former role as a prison.
The present-day parish church of Sainte Rictrude is another local cultural landmark: its architecture is neoclassical. Together with the museum, it provides a cultural focus alongside the nature trails.
Another local story leads to the Cafés Poitau roastery. François Poitau founded it at the beginning of the last century, and Monsieur Oblin continues the family business. The coffee produced there is considered typical of local tastes. Individual visitors and groups can call 03.27.99.21.90 for information about visiting arrangements. Confirm visit arrangements and contact details before you arrive.
Planning your train journey
The nearest train stations to Marchiennes are Somain and Orchies. Somain serves the Douai–Valenciennes line, while Orchies serves the Lille–Valenciennes line. Check timetables and onward connections separately so that your arrival plans are based on the latest services.
Discover more destinations: Staple, Estreux, Faches-Thumesnil, Crèvecœur-Sur-L'escaut, Maubeuge, Annœullin, Le Favril, Hem-Lenglet
For the broader travel overview: Nord.
