The best walks and hikes around Eswars

The Écluse de Cantimpré in Cambrai is a historic lock that played an important role in the development of the region's waterways. It was built in 1900 as part of the modernisation of the regional waterway network, as required by the Charles Freycinet law in 1879. The lock is equipped with two lock chambers, each 38 metres long and 5 metres wide, making it accessible to Flemish peniches and facilitating shipping. The lock is located at the junction of the canalised Scheldt and the Saint-Quentin Canal, and was part of the important port of Cantimpré, which was built in 1862. Today, the port of Cantimpré is mainly a pleasure port, but in the past it was a busy trading post with more than a hundred ships passing through every day.

Founded in the sixth century, it is the oldest church in the city. It became the abbey church of Saint-Aubert in the eleventh century. Rebuilt between 1697 and 1745, it illustrates two architectural traditions: the Baroque of the Netherlands and French classicism. At the crossing of the transept, there is an unparalleled blue stone canopy. Its function as a warehouse for goods confiscated from the clergy during the revolution saved it from destruction. The church houses many works of art, including the Entombment by Rubens (1616) and the rood screen by Jaspard Marsy (1635), now transformed into an organ gallery.

Place du 9 octobre is a famous place in Cambrai, France. The square was designed by architect Pierre Leprince-Ringuet in 1919 to improve the connection between the north-south and east-west axes of the city. The name of the square commemorates the entry of the Canadian troops into Cambrai on 9 October 1918. In the middle of the square is a monument in honour of Edmond Garin, the mayor of Cambrai from 1919 to 1925. The monument has a bas-relief depicting the "Goutte de Lait" (Drop of Milk), a charity initiative he supported.

The Jesuits arrived in Cambrai in 1562 to fight against the spread of Protestantism and founded a college there. Thanks to a legacy from Monsignor Vanderburch, they had their chapel rebuilt between 1678 and 1694 according to the principles of the Counter-Reformation, based on plans drawn up by the architect Jean du Blocq. The architectural rhythm, the play of polychromy and the abundance of sculpted decoration make this building a masterpiece of northern Baroque art. This ornamental richness is found inside in the profusion of high and low reliefs in the choir and the nave. Its decoration is completed by a series of paintings by the painter Arnoult de Vuez, representing scenes from the life of Christ. (Cambrai Tourist Office).

The former abbey church and the guest house, which has housed the Post Office since 1905, belonged to the Abbey of the Holy Sepulchre, founded in the 11th century. Between 1696 and 1702, under the episcopate of Fénelon, the whole was rebuilt in the classical style advocated by Louis XIV. The sobriety of the decor contrasts with the exuberant baroque façade of the Jesuit chapel opposite. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was designated as the new cathedral by Bishop Louis Belmas in 1804 after the destruction of the Gothic cathedral during the Revolution. (City of Cambrai)

Built in 1595 during the Spanish occupation, hence its name, this half-timbered house with a gable on the street is the last example of this type of construction, which was widespread from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. The load-bearing walls are made of stone, the corbelled façade is made of wood and the gable is clad in slate. The ground floor is reserved for shops, with housing located upstairs. https://www.villedecambrai.com/decouvrir/decouvrir-la-ville/portrait-de-ville/patrimoine-et-architecture/lessor-urbain-au-moyen-age/la-maison-espagnole

Built in 1623, the Notre-Dame gate marks the northern entrance to the city. At that time, city gates, protected by bastions, freed themselves from their defensive role and became symbols of the wealth of cities. With its “diamond point” hardware and its rich sculpted decoration, the Notre-Dame gate is representative of the Baroque style. The sun that adorns the upper part was added after the capture of Cambrai by Louis XIV. https://www.villedecambrai.com/decouvrir/decouvrir-la-ville/portrait-de-ville/patrimoine-et-architecture/heurs-et-malheurs-dune-ville-frontiere/la-porte-notre-dame

The Tour Saint-Fiacre, also known as the Tour des Sottes, is a historic tower in Cambrai. The tower is part of the old city walls of Cambrai and was built in the 14th century. The name "Tour des Sottes" comes from a nearby women's asylum in the 19th century. The tower has retained its Cambrésis stone structure up to the foot of the terrace, while the sandstone base is now buried.