Sailly-Sur-La-Lys brings together different travel interests: architectural and local history on the one hand, and the Lys and its wet meadows on the other. When planning your visit, it helps to distinguish the town’s historic sites from the routes and activities along the river.

Cultural history in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys

The Maison de la Prévôté is the oldest building in the commune. It was formerly the residence of the Prévôt, is now a listed historic monument, and lies between the church of Saint-Vaast and the Lys. The Prévôté included a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, living quarters, prisons and a courtroom. The entrance was rebuilt in 1612; two semicircular sandstone towers protected it within a fortified enclosure.

Different building phases can also be distinguished at Saint-Vaast. The church was rebuilt in 1613 and has three aisles and a porch. The present-day Saint-Vaast sanctuary was consecrated in 1928. Its 45-metre-high tower was rebuilt in white stone and brick. Inside are an altar with a statue of the saint and three large windows depicting scenes from his life.

The Chapelle Notre Dame de la Consolation is considered one of the few buildings in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys that were not destroyed during the First World War. The Maison du billard is one of the local attractions and is associated with Flemish games. It offers another cultural point of interest in the town; check visiting arrangements before you go.

The history of Bac-Saint-Maur brings together religious and industrial architecture. The church there was created by converting a factory warehouse built in 1900 and stands in an industrial area associated with the Salmon spinning mill. In 1914, the Auguste Salmon textile complex included a flax spinning mill in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys, in the Bac-Saint-Maur district, as well as three flax weaving mills.

The Château de Bac-Saint-Maur is also part of this architectural heritage. Its restoration and extension were completed in 2022; plans included a reception area, a restaurant serving gourmet cuisine and rooms for associations. Visiting arrangements may vary, so check in advance if you are planning a visit.

Nature reserve and landscape along the Lys

The Prés du Moulin Madame Regional Nature Reserve was established in 2015 and covers 9.0693 hectares in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys. It is one of the last examples of alluvial hay meadows in the lower Lys area. The site is home to 144 plant species, 14 of which are of particular conservation value due to their threatened or rare status or legal protection.

A designated path with several information boards runs through the Prés du Moulin Madame along the Lys and its flowering wet meadows. Those wishing to explore the landscape on foot can also take the Chemin Champêtre. This easy walking route is 9 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It passes through fields, the nature reserve and the towpaths along the Lys. You can start at the town hall or the post office on Rue de la Lys.

The route details provide a practical basis for planning your time: the Chemin Champêtre has a specified length, difficulty level and duration. Along the banks of the Lys, there is also a walking trail, a nautical stopover and a fitness trail with 15 stations. In addition to a walk through fields and the nature reserve, there are activities with a direct connection to the river.

La Lys à vélo is considered a river-based tourism activity along the Lys and is described as suitable for families and friends. You can therefore include it in your plans as a separate river-themed activity, while the Chemin Champêtre is a measured walking route with a stated duration. The different routes and sites give Sailly-Sur-La-Lys both cultural and landscape highlights, without requiring you to combine them into a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Venant, Camiers, Huby-Saint-Leu, Zutkerque, Ligny-Lès-Aire, Billy-Berclau, Ouve-Wirquin, Fresnoy-En-Gohelle

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