Laventie can be explored through several themes: church architecture, First World War cemeteries and Parc CĹ“ur de Ville. If you are looking for a holiday rental for your stay, you can decide whether sacred architecture, the history of the cemeteries or an activity in the municipal park is your main focus.
Churches and Architectural History
The Église Saint-Vaast was built on the site of the church that was bombed and burned down in 1914. Its foundation stone was laid on 11 October 1925, and the building was solemnly blessed on 28 April 1929. The Neo-Gothic church was built to plans by the architect Cordonnier. Its layout is defined by three naves and two transepts.
The bell tower also offers a clear point of reference when viewing the building: it is 68 metres tall, or 74 metres including the rooster at the top. The furnishings include the Cavaillé-Coll-Mutin organ from 1903. It was restored in the spring of 1999 and is listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. The building’s history, architecture and organ each offer a different starting point for learning about Saint-Vaast.
Another church stands on Rue du Bois: the Église Saint-Pierre de Fauquissart was built to plans by Lille architect Louis Marie Cordonnier. It replaced a church built in 1902 that was destroyed during the First World War. The municipality also has eleven chapels that form part of its religious heritage. They were built or renovated after the First World War; there are also six calvaries.
First World War Cemeteries
There are seven military cemeteries within the municipality of Laventie: six British and one German. The cemeteries vary in size and composition. There are 1,978 people buried at Rue Masselot German Cemetery. Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard has 806 burials: 800 British, two Canadian, two Indian and two German.
Burials at Fauquissart Military Cemetery began in November 1914; 102 English soldiers are buried there. Rue du Bacquerot n°1 Military Cemetery was opened by the Indian Corps in November 1914. It has 635 burials, including 484 British, 144 Hindus and seven Germans.
Further figures highlight the differences between the cemeteries: Rue plate (13th) London Graveyard, also known as Red House cemetery, contains 196 graves, including 168 English and 28 Australian. Euston Post Cemetery has 43 burials, 42 English and one German. Those interested in local history can thus find cemeteries of different sizes and compositions, without reducing them all to the same story.
Paths, Park and Local Tradition
In Parc CĹ“ur de Ville, paths run alongside a drainage swale to a municipal fishing pond. The park offers families an orienteering activity and is open all year round. Check the current visiting conditions before your visit. The paths and the orienteering activity offer different ways to experience the park; this does not imply permission to fish.
Another event was the four-kilometre, family-friendly “Sport Nature et Patrimoine” walk, offered in Laventie as part of the Téléthon. It provided an opportunity to discover local heritage. This walk should be understood as an event offered in the context of the Téléthon, not as a regularly available tour.
Cherries are also part of the history of the Pays de l’Alloeu: Laventie was historically known for them. In Artois, cherries were called “L’alloeu”. Together with the churches, chapels and cemeteries, this tradition reveals another facet of the town’s history.
Discover more destinations: Beauvoir-Wavans, Contes, Noyelles-Godault, Saint-Léonard, Estréelles, Chériennes, Arques, Ligny-En-Cambrésis.
For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
