Villers-Châtel combines château history with a clearly described walking route. At the château stands the medieval round tower “le fort”; the Chemin de la Charbonnière is marked in yellow. The château is a private residence set in a park open to the public, and it can be seen from the road. The château chapel is freely accessible, with no admission fee. These details distinguish the residence, park, and chapel as separate points of reference for visitors.

Château, Chapel, and Local History

The round tower “le fort” dates from a 14th- and 15th-century fortress and preserves a medieval feature in the village landscape. During the siege of Arras in 1414, the château played a significant role. In the First World War, it served as a hospital. The château’s history can therefore be viewed through several clearly distinct chapters: its connection to the fortress, a specific event, and its later use as a hospital.

The château chapel offers a different architectural accent. Belgian architect Baron Béthune built it in 1860 in the Neo-Gothic style. The chapel’s façades, roofs, and interior fittings are partially listed as a historic monument under a decree dated June 15, 2004. In contrast to the medieval fortress tower, these are two different building forms side by side: a round tower from an earlier fortress and a 19th-century Neo-Gothic chapel.

There is also a Lourdes grotto in the park. On the church in Villers-Châtel, the spire features a hook pattern; each hook represents an animal, human, or fantastical head. Alongside the château and chapel, visitors can therefore also see the park and a distinctive architectural detail of the church.

Compare Walking Trails and Tours

For a walk, the Chemin de la Charbonnière offers specific planning details: the walking trail is 12 km long, marked in yellow, and starts at Place des Martyrs in Villers-Châtel. The stated duration is three hours. Distance and time answer different questions: the mileage describes the length of the route, while the duration provides a time estimate. You can use both figures when fitting this walk into your day’s plans.

The playful Villers-Châtel–Mingoval–Béthonsart tour offers a different way to explore. It also starts in Villers-Châtel and consists of three stages, which can be connected by car or bicycle. Unlike the Chemin, the focus here is on the number of stages and the means of transport, rather than a stated total distance and duration. The two options can therefore be compared using different planning details: for the Chemin, the distance and time are given; for the playful tour, the number of stages and the option of traveling by car or bicycle are specified.

Discover more destinations: Maninghem, Hernicourt, Souastre, Ambleteuse, Houlle, Bouquehault, Ardres, Fruges.

Return to the regional travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.