Pernes-lès-Boulogne brings together several clearly distinct themes: Neo-Gothic church architecture, a war memorial with named artistic details, and the Château de Conteval with its park. There is also a connection to the landscape that broadens the view beyond individual buildings. When planning a stay, you can focus on architectural history, memorial culture or the relationship between the town and its surrounding landscape.
Landscape and character of the town
Pernes-lès-Boulogne is part of the Parc naturel régional des Caps et Marais d’Opale. The ZNIEFF Vallée du Wimereux entre Wimille et Belle-et-Houllefort also includes the municipality; the associated data sheet is dated June 12, 2025. The two designations represent different scales: one names the regional nature park, while the other identifies a valley between Wimille and Belle-et-Houllefort. Together, these landscape features complement the town’s buildings and memorial sites with a different way of exploring the municipality.
Château de Conteval: Residence and park
The Château de Conteval is located partly in Pernes-lès-Boulogne, at Haut Penleu; the estate is private. The protected complex extends from Haut Penleu to Pernes-lès-Boulogne. The protected features include the château’s façades and roofs, the two English courtyards, the surrounding park with its enclosures, avenues, ponds and water supply, and two kitchen gardens. Protection was established by decree dated April 19, 2006.
The château is a residence dating from the late 18th century that is atypical of the Boulonnais. Its architecture combines brick and rendered stone, and it has two English courtyards. The château overlooks a landscape park laid out like an amphitheatre and open to the surrounding countryside. This estate therefore draws attention to both its architectural form and the design of its park.
Church and war memorial
The Eglise paroissiale du Saint-Esprit in Pernes-lès-Boulogne is Neo-Gothic. It was rebuilt in 1851–1852 to plans by the architect Philippe Sannier; the bell tower bears the year 1850. Mass is held at Eglise Saint-Esprit at 9:30 a.m. on the second Sunday of each month. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the date locally.
The war memorial in Pernes-lès-Boulogne was inaugurated on October 16, 1921. It depicts a dying soldier, a cross with Christ, a Croix de guerre and a palm branch. The sculpture of the dying soldier is signed by J. Dechin; the name of the blacksmith, J. Dulot, appears on the wrought-iron railing. The motifs and the two name attributions offer different ways to take a closer look at the memorial.
Distinguishing historical dates
The dates refer to different events: 1850 appears on the bell tower, 1851–1852 marks the church’s reconstruction, and October 16, 1921, the inauguration of the war memorial. April 19, 2006, by contrast, marks the decree protecting the château complex. The construction period, inauguration and protection designation can thus be understood as distinct historical reference points.
Discover more destinations: Wimille, Landrethun-lès-Ardres, Heuchin, Sallaumines, Campagne-Lès-Hesdin, Écurie, Sempy, Hernicourt
For the overview of the wider area: Pas-De-Calais.
