The Saint-Martin church, the Terril du Pommier and a possible Roman past offer different ways to explore Beaumont. The route of the A1 motorway is also useful for orientation: it crosses the southern part of the town. The traces preserved in the church and the changes made to the terril are particularly revealing about Beaumont’s history.
Saint-Martin Church and Historical Traces
The Saint-Martin church houses a statue of the Dieu de Pitié. It comes from a chapel in the former cemetery. This provenance links the artwork to a former place of remembrance and gives a visit a tangible historical connection. The church itself preserves traces of various alterations from the 16th and 20th centuries. Visitors interested in architectural history can consider two distinct periods in the same building, rather than viewing the church solely in terms of a single historical date.
Roman history is also recorded with varying degrees of certainty: a fortified Roman camp was probably located on a hill near Beaumont. The Roman road from Arras to Tournai passed through the surrounding area below it. The camp’s location remains uncertain; the route of the road refers to the area around Beaumont. This distinction helps keep the historical account precise, without presenting the suspected camp location as a confirmed site.
From Terril to Leisure Area
The Terril du Pommier was transformed into a leisure area. Alongside the traces preserved in the church, it offers a different perspective on local history: the focus here is on how a site has changed and been given a new recreational purpose. The terril thus stands alongside Saint-Martin as a distinct part of the town’s history. Together, the two show that Beaumont’s history cannot be attributed to just one building.
Leisure Activities in Hénin-Beaumont
When looking for activities, it is worth checking the exact location: Parc des Îles and Aquaterra are in Hénin-Beaumont. These attractions are therefore associated with Hénin-Beaumont. Parc des Îles covers 160 hectares and was created on the former site of the Cokerie de Drocourt. Its landscape includes bodies of water, themed islands, meadows and lawns in an area crisscrossed by green and blue corridors.
Activities at Parc des Îles include cycling, hiking, roller skating, Nordic walking, biathlon, orienteering, disc golf, pétanque and kite flying. The specific courses offer a clear sense of the options: there are two disc golf courses with 9 and 18 holes, respectively. There are also five permanent orienteering courses of increasing difficulty. Facilities and courses may change; if you are planning a particular activity, check the latest information in advance.
The Adventure Lab route “Le Parc des Îles, d’hier à aujourd’hui” is free and wheelchair accessible. This information applies to the route, not generally to all paths and facilities in the park. Its availability may also change, so it is worth checking the latest information before visiting.
Aquaterra in Hénin-Beaumont offers exhibitions, a tropical greenhouse and themed gardens. Educational workshops for the general public are offered year-round; individual exhibitions and workshops may change. Visits can be self-guided, while guided tours are available by reservation. If you plan to visit Aquaterra, you can choose between a self-guided tour and a reserved guided tour, and check what is currently on offer.
Discover more destinations: Annay, Ruminghem, Courrières, Noyelles-Godault, Coquelles, Sailly-Sur-La-Lys, Berneville, Ramecourt.
For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
