Attractions and Places To See around Monchaux-Sur-Écaillon - Top 20

Ideal for jogging

Valenciennes Town Hall is a magnificent building with a rich history. The current town hall is located on the Place d'Armes and is an impressive example of neoclassical architecture. The building was originally built in the 17th century, but was largely destroyed during a bombing raid in 1940. It was later rebuilt and re-inaugurated in 1967. The façade of the town hall is decorated with allegorical statues, the work of the sculptor Philippe Joseph Henri Lemaire. At the top of the building is a pediment by the famous sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. The town hall is a symbol of the urban history and culture of Valenciennes and also houses a media library and various exhibitions.

The Litany monument in Valenciennes is an impressive work of art by the French artist Jean-Bernard Metais. It was unveiled in 2007 on the Place d'Armes and stands on the exact spot where the city's watchtower once stood. This tower, a typical medieval watchtower, collapsed in 1840. The monument consists of a 45-metre high needle pointing towards the sky and a collection of thousands of voices repeating the history and secrets of the city. These words were collected from more than 2,000 residents and visitors to Valenciennes and are incised on the needle. The work is a symbol of the openness and neutrality of the place, where people used to come to trade, debate and celebrate.

The Lac du Vignoble is a beautiful lake located in Valenciennes, about two kilometers southwest of the central city area. The lake is surrounded by a green area and offers many recreational activities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, and more. The tour around is about 4 km.

Very impressive town hall.

Avesnes-le-Sec is a commune in the French Northern Department, in the Hauts-de-France region. It has an area of 10.4 km² and has 1,445 inhabitants (2020). It is part of the arrondissement of Valenciennes and the canton of Denain. Avesnes-le-Sec has a number of sites and heritage that testify to its history and culture. Some examples are: Avesnes-le-Sec Communal Cemetery Extension, a war cemetery from the First World War, where 65 British soldiers are buried. The ruins of the Moulin de Pierre, a tower mill from the 18th century, built with white limestone from the region. The mill was destroyed by a German shell in 1918. The Saint Aubertus Church, a Gothic church from the 12th century, dedicated to the patron saint of the municipality. The church has a remarkable portal with sculptures and an organ from the 19th century. Avesnes-le-Sec is also a pleasant place for walking or cycling, thanks to its green surroundings and its proximity to the River Somme. There are several routes and paths that run along the water or through the countryside. One of the most beautiful routes is the Voie verte du cavalier d'Agincourt, which connects Aniche to Escaudain over a distance of 12 km.

You can hike around the Etang du Vignoble near Valenciennes. This is a large pond that was created from an old gravel pit in the 20th century. You can walk on very well maintained paths and enjoy the pond from its banks. The pond is open all year round.

The castle was built in the 17th century and was completed in the 19th century. Originally owned by the Abbaye Saint-Aubert de Cambrai, the castle was built on land owned by the abbey. The plans are said to have belonged to Ange-Jacques Gabriel or Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart. The castle was sold as national property during the Revolution. With the help of a stooge, Count François Marie Joseph de Frahan became the owner. It was sold by his descendants to Pierre Joseph Danjou in 1853 and then to Nicolas Meriaux in 1884. In 1887, Marie-Adélaide Verkinder, wife of deputy Ernest Déjardin, acquired the château. It passed to her daughter and son-in-law, Ambassador Pierre Lefèvre-Pontalis. During the First World War, the castle became the headquarters of Jagdgeschwader and Baron Manfred von Richthofen lived there. The castle, its moats and bridges have been classified as a historical monument since September 21, 1983, while the outbuildings, the old building on the edge of road number 4, the facades and roofs of the pigeon tower and the pavilion in the park and the perimeter wall with its gates since the same date have been registered as a historical monument.