Saint-Josse brings together a landscape with diverse natural habitats, a procession on Trinity Sunday, and traces of fishing. These themes also differ in their conditions: the Bois de Saint-Josse is accessible only on pilgrimage day; the procession takes place on Trinity Sunday. The landscape and historical graffiti offer further ways to explore the area. You can then decide whether you want your stay to focus more on nature, pilgrimage traditions, or other activities.
Natural Areas and Trails
The Landes du Moulinel in Saint-Josse cover more than 9 hectares and comprise a mosaic of natural habitats with more than 120 plant species. The word “mosaic” describes a mix of different habitats rather than one uniform area. The area and the number of species provide two different points of reference: the figure in hectares gives a sense of its size, while the number of plant species indicates its botanical diversity. This makes it possible to assess the area in terms of both its size and its diversity.
The Les Bas Champs circular trail follows the banks of the Canche and the coastal inland marshes. The route is 11 km long, rated difficult, and starts in Villiers. When choosing a trail, both the landscape and the demands of the route matter: the banks and marshes describe what the route takes in, while its length, difficulty rating, and starting point help you assess it.
Procession and Access to the Bois
On Trinity Sunday, a procession leads from the Church of Saint-Pierre to the Croix Coupée, which lies 500 metres from the village. Mass is celebrated outdoors there, after which the procession returns through Saint-Josse. The event thus includes the walk to the cross, the service, and the return through the village. If you would like to experience the procession, check the date of Trinity Sunday when planning your trip.
The Bois de Saint-Josse is open to everyone on pilgrimage day. Visitors can draw water at the Fontaine aux chrétiens, see the hermit's hut, or “Ermitage de Saint-Josse,” and picnic in the undergrowth. Access to the woods is limited to pilgrimage day. So if you would like to include this place in your plans, choosing the right pilgrimage day is essential.
Graffiti and Leisure Activities
Since the 19th century, fishermen from Étaples and Berck have left graffiti recording boat registrations on a wall in Saint-Josse. The entries form a register with details including home port, boat name, construction and scrapping dates, and the name of the skipper. The inscriptions thus combine specific information about individual boats with a historical practice. Anyone interested in maritime history will find more here than just a single boat or ship name: the various entries show which details were recorded.
Laby'Parc du Touquet is located at 11 chemin des Ardronnieres in Saint-Josse and offers activities on land, in the water, and in the air. These three areas give the park a distinct leisure focus alongside the landscape and pilgrimage traditions. If you are choosing Saint-Josse based on your interests, you can consider the park as another reason to visit, alongside nature and local history.
Discover more destinations: Maisoncelle, Hauteville, Gouy-Saint-André, Maintenay, Parenty, Fruges, Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem, Merlimont
See the wider travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
