Highlights of the Thiérache

Essential viewing !

If you are coming to visit us in the Thiérache, don’t miss these truly outstanding places !

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1 The Godin Familistère

Courtyard in the Godin Familistère

GUISE The Godin Familistère, Utopia come true! Admire the social achievements of Jean-Baptiste André Godin, founder of the famous stove factory, who in the 19th century devised an ideal social framework for his employees. You can tour the Godin Familistère with its theatre, school, shops, gardens and washhouse – swimming pool.

2 Abbey of Saint Michel

Front of the abbey of Saint-Michel

SAINT-MICHEL-EN-THIERACHE Nestling between forest and waterway, the abbey of Saint Michel is a truly lovely sight. Many different styles have embellished its Renaissance architecture, including the splendid Baroque ornamentation of the façade and nave and the Gothic style chancel. Its magnificent organ, one of very few remaining from the time of Louis XIV, provides the perfect finishing touch. The Benedictine abbey of Saint Michel was founded in the 10th century. Murals depicti...

3 La Capelle racecourse

La Capelle racecourse

LA CAPELLE Enjoy some horse racing at La Capelle international racecourse, open February to November. With its speed ring, the only one of its kind in Europe, La Capelle racecourse is the horse racing centre of the region.

4 Fortified churches of the Thiérache

Fortified church of Flavigny-le-grand et Beaurain

THIERACHE 60 fortified churches stand tall at the heart of villages in the rolling hedge-trimmed countryside of the Thiérache. You can follow the Fortified Churches trail to discover these reminders of wars that raged in the Thiérache in the 16th and 17th centuries. brThis extraordinary heritage is a direct consequence of the geographical location of the Thiérache which has always been a frontier land, a local crossroads between Champagne and Picardy and a natio...

5 The 'Axe vert' and 'Val de Serre'

Randonnée équestre sur l'Axe vert de Thiérache

THIERACHE The ‘Axe Vert’, a disused railway line running 30 km along the Oise valley, and the Val de Serre, at the heart of the Serre valley, are perfect for walking/riding and afford lovely views of the meadows, fortified churches and peaceful villages of the Thiérache. All along the route the old stations have been converted into group gîtes for hikers/riders and families.

6 Maroilles cheese

le Maliécourt

THIERACHE Try this famous cheese from northern France which is only produced in the Appellation Contrôlée area of Avesnois-Thiérache. Maroilles is a soft cheese with a washed, orangey-red rind. It also features in a number of local recipes.

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