Ramillies combines expansive open-field landscapes on the Cambrésis Plateau with churches and memorial sites whose stories span different periods. When planning your trip, it is worth considering these points of interest separately: Église Saint-Géry and Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Air represent architectural history and religious tradition; the cemetery and Monument des Fusillés commemorate the First World War. There is also the “Autour de Ramillies” route, which leads to the Canal de l’Escaut, as well as direct sales of agricultural products. This allows you to plan your stay around the things that interest you in Ramillies, without conflating the individual sites or their histories.
Church and chapel: distinct architectural histories
Église Saint-Géry de Ramillies brings together several historical milestones that do not all mean the same thing. The original church probably dates from 1548. Part of the building was rebuilt after the First World War; the entrance structure, which serves as a vestibule, dates from 1883. To understand its history, it is helpful to distinguish between the probable origins, the later rebuilding and the dated entrance structure. Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Air offers another historical connection: it was rebuilt in 1871 and is a place of worship for boatmen. The two sites therefore offer different perspectives—the church’s architectural history and the religious tradition associated with the chapel. Visitors interested in religious architecture can consider the two stories separately, rather than applying a single construction date to the entire history of the area.
Memorial sites with different connections
Ramillies British Cemetery is a First World War military cemetery in the commune of Ramillies, in the Nord department. It contains 180 graves, including those of 105 British and 75 Canadian soldiers; five of those buried there are unidentified. The Monument des Fusillés is located on Rue des Fusillés in Ramillies. It marks the place where four residents of Ramillies were shot during the German retreat. The cemetery draws attention to those buried there, while the monument commemorates the four residents. The two memorial sites thus refer to different groups and forms of remembrance.
Open landscapes and the route to the canal
The expansive open-field landscapes of the high ground on the Cambrésis Plateau near Ramillies offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Unlike the church, chapel or monument, the focus here is on open space and views across the area. The “Autour de Ramillies” route leads to the Canal de l’Escaut. The panoramic views and a named destination by the canal therefore offer different ways to experience the landscape.
Direct sales of agricultural products
Direct sales are also relevant for travellers who would like to include local produce in their plans. La Ferme des Prés sells agricultural products directly from the producer to consumers in Ramillies, preferably by pre-order. Its meat selection includes beef, pork, poultry, lamb and veal, sold in packs and individually. If you are looking for a particular type, check the current selection and ordering arrangements in advance; product availability and ordering arrangements may change.
Discover more destinations: Lesquin, Bousies, Hem, Tourcoing, Hestrud, Drincham, Saint-Amand-Les-Eaux, Wattignies
For the regional travel overview: Nord.
