The Abbey Church of Saint-Silvin and Saint-Georges and the Marais de la Grenouillère Nature Reserve reveal two different sides of Auchy-lès-Hesdin: the village’s monastic history and a protected natural area with a 1.5 km walk. There are also trails with views of the Ternoise Valley and a named loop between Wamin and Auchy. You can plan your stay around culture, nature and the type of route you prefer.

Abbey Church and Industrial History

The Abbey Church of Saint-Silvin and Saint-Georges stands in the centre of the village, bearing witness to Auchy’s monastic history. A specific architectural detail can be seen in the large pillars of the nave: they are remnants of the first abbey church. Above the main altar, the altarpiece features a “Lamentation over the Dead Christ”, attributed to Van Dyck or his workshop. The attribution therefore remains open between the artist and his workshop.

The history of the former abbey grounds is also linked to industrial use. In 1805, they were converted into a cotton mill for M. Grivel; the church was used as a warehouse at the time. The former cotton mill has been shut down since June 1989. To understand the village’s history, it is worth looking at both periods: the pillars point to the first abbey church, while 1805 marks the specific change to a cotton mill.

Nature Reserve and Walking Trails

The Marais de la Grenouillère Regional Nature Reserve covers 16.6298 hectares and extends across Auchy-lès-Hesdin and Rollancourt. It has been designated a Regional Nature Reserve since 2000. It provides a refuge for numerous animal and plant species, including rare species such as Sympetrum fonscolombii and the Essex Skipper. This connects the landscape with a specific protected area and diverse plant and animal life.

The nature reserve offers a 1.5 km walk. Its length gives you a practical reference point for planning. Before setting out, it is advisable to check local trail conditions, as they can change.

Several walking trails lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking neighbouring villages in the green Ternoise Valley. Here, viewpoints help you find your bearings; on a walk in the nature reserve, the route length and the protected natural area are the practical reference points. The Fond Notre-Dame loop connects Wamin with Auchy-lès-Hesdin. This makes it possible to choose an option based on your preferred focus: the nature reserve, views across the valley or a named route connecting two places.

Another aspect of the area’s natural environment can be seen at the weir in Auchy-lès-Hesdin: a fish pass was installed there in 2011, and ramps also help young eels pass through. The focus here is on aquatic ecology and passage for fish and eels. These specific measures at the weir complement nature watching and walking opportunities, offering another perspective on the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Ligny-En-Cambrésis, Ambleteuse, Lacres, Serques, Fléchin, Audembert, Bonningues-lès-Ardres, Saint-Léonard.

For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.