For a stay in Sains-Lès-Pernes, you can choose between two distinct focuses: the architectural and object history of Église Sainte-Berthe and the La Creuse de Boyaval hiking route. The church combines a main construction phase in the 15th century with several protected features. The trail starts in Sains-Lès-Pernes, is 16.62 kilometres long, and heads towards Boyaval. This lets you plan your trip around an interest in heritage or hiking.

Église Sainte-Berthe: Construction and Heritage Protection

The main construction phase of Église Sainte-Berthe dates to the 15th century. The church is partially listed as a historic monument (Monument historique). The sculpted cornices were also listed as a Monument historique by decree of 10 June 1926. The dates refer to different aspects: the 15th century concerns the construction phase, while 1926 concerns the protection of the cornices. A main construction phase identifies a building period, not necessarily a single year of completion.

Sacred Objects with Their Own Stories

Sacred objects can be found in different parts of the nave. The reliquary of Saint Berthe is on the south-side side altar. A reliquary is a container for relics; this piece dates from the 19th century and is made of gilded bronze. The carved wooden statue “Christ en croix” (“Christ on the Cross”) is on the west wall of the nave. It probably dates from the 17th century and was listed as a protected object on 5 March 1985. The reliquary’s material and date of origin are clearly stated; the statue’s dating remains tentative.

Église Sainte-Berthe also houses the Emma Berthe bell. It was made in 1922 and listed as a protected object on 5 March 1985. Its year of manufacture and its later protected status should therefore be distinguished. The statue was also protected on the same day, although it is only tentatively dated to the 17th century. The shared registration date links two objects with different dates of origin and varying degrees of certainty about their dating.

The protection information reflects different levels: the church is partially listed as a Monument historique, while the bell and statue were each registered as protected objects. The sculpted cornices have their own listing as a Monument historique. This means that information about the protection of building features appears alongside information about individual sacred objects.

La Creuse de Boyaval: Hiking from Sains-Lès-Pernes

La Creuse de Boyaval is the hiking option with the most precise route details. The route is 16.62 kilometres long and starts in Sains-Lès-Pernes. It descends through a wild hollow towards Boyaval. The distance indicates the length of the hiking route; the description of the descent adds a direction and a landform. A hollow is a depression in the terrain, which makes the landscape feature easier to understand. The details therefore convey both the route’s length and a characteristic part of its course. As trail conditions and maintenance can change, check the latest conditions before setting out.

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