Couin combines 18th-century architecture with several First World War memorial sites. The Château de Couin, the two British cemeteries named after Couin and a historic statue in the church of Saint-Pierre each highlight different aspects of cultural history.
The Château de Couin and its decorations
The Château de Couin is an authentic residence dating from the mid-18th century, during the reign of Louis XV. The entire property, including its interior and exterior, is protected as a Monument historique (I.S.M.H.). Its authentic interior and exterior decorations include sculptures by Adrien-François D'HUEZ and his son Jean-Baptiste Cyprien D'HUEZ. Architecture and sculpture are therefore equally distinctive features of the residence.
Tours also include the stables decorated with marble, which are unique in France. Tours are available year-round exclusively by prior reservation for groups of 20 or more. If you plan to visit the château, be sure to consider the group size and make a reservation in advance.
The war cemeteries of Couin
Couin British Cemetery was established in May 1916 by field ambulances of the 48th (South Midland) Division. During the 1916 Battle of the Somme, it was used by units and field ambulances. The cemetery contains 401 Commonwealth burials from the First World War, as well as three German graves.
Couin New British Cemetery contains the graves of 14 men who served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War. They include the grave of Sergeant Richard Charles Travis; the cemetery register lists him as Dickson Cornelius Savage and identifies him as “V.C.”. Field ambulances began using the cemetery in January 1917, and continued to do so, with a lengthy interruption in 1917–1918, until the end of the war.
Couin British Cemetery is beside the road just before the entrance to Couin. Its grounds are accessible to wheelchair users, although access may be via an alternative entrance. If this access arrangement is important for your visit, it is advisable to confirm the appropriate entrance in advance.
Church art, the Somme context and cycling
The church of Saint-Pierre houses an 18th-century polychrome wooden statue of Saint Leonard. It was classified as a Monument historique on 12 January 1966. “Polychrome” describes the multicoloured decoration of a sculpture. The statue thus provides a distinct art-historical point of interest alongside the château’s architecture.
For regional context, the Château de Couin lies halfway between the cities of Arras and Amiens, in the heart of the Somme battlefields. The “Val d’Authie” cycling loop also passes through Couin via a gently uphill side road. It adds a specific cycling connection to the area’s historical themes.
Plan your accommodation and visit
Discover more destinations: Cucq, Aubrometz, Nempont-Saint-Firmin, Landrethun-Le-Nord, Offrethun, Isques, Longvilliers, Chériennes.
For the wider travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
