Merville brings together Renaissance architecture, a historic walking tour, parkland and activities on the water. This gives you more than one reason to visit when planning your trip: you can choose between local history, walks, and nautical or nature-focused experiences. Highlights include the town hall, the “Au fil de l’eau” walking tour, Prés de la Ville park and the Claude Boulenguer water sports centre.

Town hall and barge: history in two forms

Merville’s town hall is a Renaissance-style building designed by architect Louis Cordonnier. It was inaugurated on 7 April 1929. Its style and inauguration date provide a specific architectural and chronological reference point in the town’s history.

Another historical landmark is the barge “Caou,” the last barge moored in the town. Its bow and stern have been renovated and are now on display in Merville. The historic town hall and parts of a barge thus offer distinct points of connection to the town’s history.

Historic walking tour and parkland

The “Au fil de l’eau” historic walking tour starts at the car park of the water sports centre on Rue Duhamel Liard. Around the town centre, it is signposted at various stops with historical information panels. The route is approximately five kilometres long. Its starting point, length and information panels make the walk easy to plan, while the stops make history the theme of the route.

Prés de la Ville park covers seven hectares and includes natural areas and wetlands. If you prefer to focus on the landscape rather than historical panels, you will find a different emphasis here. The park complements the architecture and walking tour with natural areas and wetlands.

Walking, cycling and exploring nature

The Claude Boulenguer water sports centre is a starting point for walks and is located on a cycle route and the cycling network. The centre also offers water sports activities and nature discovery workshops. This brings together a range of options for planning your day: walking routes, cycling routes, and activities and workshops with a nautical or nature focus.

Traditions with set dates and introductory sessions

Traditional water jousting takes place at Deux Ponts every year on 14 July and 15 August. The walking tour offers a sense of place through its starting point and approximate length; water jousting, by contrast, takes place on two fixed dates each year. If you are travelling specifically for the event, check the dates in advance.

Traditional upright-pole archery is practised at Prés de la Ville. Introductory sessions are available for groups and individuals alike. This means you can include this tradition in your plans even if you are not travelling with a group.

A local association also organises a typically Flemish game, with competitions and challenges open to everyone throughout the year. Special introductory sessions are available for groups. Alongside water jousting and archery, this game adds another dimension to local traditions, with competitions organised throughout the year.

Discover more destinations: Larouillies, Hem-Lenglet, Wattignies, Villeneuve-D'ascq, Esquelbecq, Caudry, Prouvy, Mortagne-du-Nord

For the regional travel overview: Nord.