Ytres brings together a technical subject, church architecture and a hiking trail through the rural cultural landscape. The Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt runs through the village; there is also the Église Saint-Pierre d’Ytres and Le Ch'tiot Vélu, which passes through Bertincourt, Ytres and Velu. This gives you a concrete set of options for planning your trip: are you interested in historic infrastructure, artistic design or a yellow-marked trail through the landscape?

The Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt

The Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt runs through Ytres. Its 1,150-metre-long, double-track central section allows barges to pass one another inside the tunnel. The figure and its function go together: the section is distinguished not only by its length, but also by the passing traffic it makes possible.

Ventilation and technical equipment

The ventilation station in Ytres is part of the tunnel’s technical history. It was installed around 1965 to vent exhaust fumes from barges inside the tunnel. The equipment includes two turbines mounted on rails; one is intended as a reserve turbine. Two distinct technical aspects therefore come together at the tunnel: passing traffic in the central section and ventilation provided by the station.

The ventilation station building also comprises several named components. The control room has a bow window facing the turbines. A bow window is a projecting window; here, its orientation points towards the facility’s machinery. The building also includes an electrical distribution centre, an emergency diesel generator and a garage. This makes it possible to understand the subject not only through the turbines, but also through the control room and technical infrastructure.

Church architecture and stained glass

The Église Saint-Pierre d’Ytres offers a different focus. Architect Louis Faille built the church in 1930 using stone from Saint-Maximin and bricks. The details about the architect, year of construction and materials provide specific points of reference for considering the building’s history: the stone comes from Saint-Maximin, with brick as an additional building material.

The church is also known for its stained-glass windows, designed by Raphaël Lardeur. Its architecture thus offers a distinct artistic point of interest alongside the tunnel’s technical history. Those interested in architectural design can compare two different subjects: the tunnel facility’s technical function and the design of the church and its windows.

Le Ch'tiot Vélu through the cultural landscape

Le Ch'tiot Vélu is a yellow-marked hiking trail. It runs through the rural and scenic cultural landscape of the villages of Bertincourt, Ytres and Velu. Unlike a visit focused on a single building, this trail centres on a route through several villages. That makes it a distinct focus alongside tunnel engineering and church art. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Weighing up Ytres as a destination

If you are considering Ytres for your stay, you can choose according to your interests: the tunnel and ventilation station represent technical history, the church offers architecture and stained glass, and Le Ch'tiot Vélu is a hike through the rural cultural landscape. These subjects differ in character rather than suggesting a set order. This makes it easier to decide which focus suits your trip.

Discover more destinations: Fampoux, Landrethun-lès-Ardres, Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult, Gonnehem, Ramecourt, Marquise, Berneville, Saint-Pol-Sur-Ternoise

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