The ancient Roman Chaussée Brunehaut runs through Naves; here, the D114 follows the road towards Bavay. Churches, chapels and historic farms tell of other periods of construction and traditions. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Naves, you can plan your stay around two specific highlights: local history or a longer circular walk.
Chaussée Brunehaut and Circular Walk
The road is also linked to a later chapter of local cultural history. Because the Chaussée Brunehaut runs through Naves, the HISTOIRE ET CULTURE association created the giant figure Brunéhaut in 2000; she was christened in 2001. The Roman road thus represents not only a historic route, but also a connection that has been carried on in local tradition.
The “Boucle entre Cagnoncles et Naves” circular walk offers another way to experience Naves: it is 12.13 kilometres long, rated moderate and takes an average of 3 hours and 35 minutes. In Naves, it passes the Church of Saint Paul and the Chaussée Brunehaut. This makes the route and time required clear, as well as identifying two historic sites along the way. Check the path conditions and navigation before setting out.
Church and Farms: Architecture from Several Periods
The Church of Saint Paul combines two construction phases. Its bell-tower porch dates from the 18th century; the rest of the building was constructed in 1925, after the church was completely destroyed during the First World War. Its design is also noteworthy: polychrome bricks and mosaics adorn the church. The chancel is decorated with an Art Deco cross and a gold mosaic background. The building’s history and its features offer different points of interest if you are interested in the church.
The two farm buildings can also be distinguished by their dates. The Ferme des Boutriaux was built in 1460 and restored in the Flemish style in 1695. At the Ferme Soyez, a brick dovecote has been preserved; it is thought to date from the 17th century. While two specific years are recorded for Boutriaux, the date of the dovecote is expressed with deliberate caution.
Chapels, Memorial Sites and Historic Processions
The Chapel of Saint Roch was built in 1818 at the request of Henriette Soyez, the wife of the mayor at the time. A Corpus Christi procession was once held there. Another site associated with processions is the Calvary of Naves: it was erected in 1850 following the cholera epidemic of 1849; a procession was once held there on Whit Monday. Near the cemetery, the Calvary stands in a small chapel built of dressed stone; its base is made of Tournai stone.
The two chapels of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes and Notre-Dame-de-Hal also tell stories of destruction and reconstruction. Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes was built in 1933 on the site of a chapel dating from 1680 that had been destroyed during the First World War. According to the inscription beside the door, the hexagonal Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Hal was built in 1666. After suffering heavy damage in the Second World War, it was rebuilt stone by stone. The date on the inscription and the post-war construction history refer to different periods in its history.
Practical Planning
Timetable information for the Arc-en-ciel bus network is available for Naves. Check the operator’s departure times for your travel date. If you are planning the circular walk, allow for its average duration of more than three hours and check the path conditions and navigation before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Ribécourt-La-Tour, Saméon, Fourmies, Saint-André-Lez-Lille, Clairfayts, Auberchicourt, La Creche, Marly.
For the overview of the wider region: Nord.
