Warlus can be explored through two distinct themes: the protected Château et église Saint-Lambert ensemble and the local Sentier des Tourelles walking trail. The history of the château and church spans building phases dating from 1550 to events in the 20th century. Memorial sites add to the picture. The château, church, and memorial sites lead through different chapters of Warlus’s history; the Sentier des Tourelles complements these historical themes with a walk whose route and duration can be factored into your day’s plans.
A protected ensemble of château and church
The Château et église Saint-Lambert ensemble is located at 4 rue du Château in Warlus. For the château and outbuildings, the protection covers the façades and roofs, as well as the park, orchard, and kitchen garden. The church was fully included in the protection order dated 25 March 2009. It stands within the château’s walled grounds; its door opens onto the village.
The church has a short nave, a three-sided apse, and a bell tower dating from 1550. Later work affected various parts of the building: the roof was renewed in 1770, and the choir in 1777. The bronze bell dates from 1790 and is named Philippine. The square bell tower and the bell were classified as historic monuments in 1943.
Château history and wartime
A fire destroyed much of the older Château de Warlus in the 16th century. The château was rebuilt in 1688. During the First World War, it served as French headquarters in 1915 and hosted Generals Joffre and Foch, as well as French President Raymond Poincaré. The château was also used during the Second World War. This timeline runs from the rebuilding after the fire to a clearly dated military use in the 20th century.
Memorial sites and local history
The Stèle des femmes déportées depicts three women embracing. It commemorates women and children who disappeared at the Ravensbrück camp during the Second World War. Another chapter in local history concerns the chapel: it was built in 1935 and blessed on 10 May 1936, together with the statue of Notre-Dame des 3 Ave Maria. These dates offer two distinct reasons to explore Warlus’s history: remembering those who were persecuted and learning about the chapel’s origins.
Walking and practical information
The Sentier des Tourelles is one of Warlus’s local walking trails. A tourist route description published in 2022 gives a distance of 6 kilometres and a duration of 1 hour 30 minutes; the starting point is the village hall in Berneville. Check trail conditions before setting out. This gives you a specific time slot to plan for the walk, regardless of how much time you want to spend on the historical themes.
There is an information board at the entrance to Warlus on Route d’Arras. A self-service vending machine in Warlus offers potatoes, onions, apples, asparagus, soups and preserves, eggs, dairy products, artichokes, leafy greens, jams, and fruit coulis. Check availability before making the vending machine a firm part of your plans.
Discover more destinations: Licques, Beaurains, Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem, Tigny-Noyelle, Marconne, Ficheux, Lorgies, Bainghen.
For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
