The best traffic-free bike rides around Vimy

The ruins of the old church of Ablain-Saint-Nazaire are an impressive and symbolic remnant of the First World War. Built in the 16th century in flamboyant Gothic style by Jacques Le Caron, this church was badly damaged during the fighting in 1915. The ruins have been preserved as a monument to commemorate the horrors of war.

A remarkable story about the ruins concerns the decision not to rebuild the church after the war. Although the church had been classified as a historical monument in 1908, the Commission for Historical Monuments decided that the ruins should remain as a testimony to the German destruction. Ironically, it was the French guns that had destroyed the church, but the ruins became a symbol of the war and the reconstruction.

Small hill over 500 meters through fields and woods, with a positive elevation gain of 26 meters.

Albain Saint Nazaire

Historical interpretation: Ablain-Saint-Nazaire has two churches. In the center of the city, 2,000 people were born in the Nieuwe Kerk, and they were placed at the end of the bid, which was the interwar period. The remaining parts of the outer wall are no longer destroyed. A flamboyant work of art, created by Jacques Le Caron, architect of the famous Belfry of Arras. It was born in the 16th century by Charles de Bourbon-Carency, he was on the board, he was blessed with wild tones in Saint Nazaire who was born with the genesis of his daughter. Ablain is strategically located at the foot of the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette plateau. The Germans were released in October 1914. From France we can see what happened when we visited Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, the same thing happened with Vimy in Arras and in another Lens that dominated the world. The horrors of war and the dangers of reconstruction On May 9, 1915, the French attacked after six days of bombardment. If you don't know what you're doing, don't worry about your success. Now you can see that the 102,000 people who remained at Vimy Ridge are worth it. Carency in Ablain, recaptured at the same time as Lorette, is in ruins, including the Saint-Nazaire church. At the end of the conflict, the Historical Monuments Commission, which classified this church in 1908, decided not to rebuild it: “These moving ruins must be preserved as a witness to German vandalism. » From Ablainois we have some of the English we have had to deal with; they understood that the state did not want to bear the costs of repairing the destroyed church. In 1922, the congregation was new to you as it grew into the stadium. Until its completion in 1932, it was a barracks submitted by the Canadians that served as a temporary prayer room. As for the Old Church, which was in danger of collapsing, the Historical Monuments consolidated its ruins in 1983. They thus continue to bear witness to the horrors of the war and the dangers of reconstruction. Source: https://ablainstnazaire-org.translate.goog/la-vieille-eglise/?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=nl&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=sc

The castle has been preserved in its original plans. It was built in the Middle Ages (13th and 15th centuries). It is an example of a fortified castle from the plains of Northern Europe. A walk along the “Moats” and an interior visit to the chapel, the vaulted cellars and the floors of the keep are recommended. Enjoy a distant past in the present.

The Château d'Olhain is a castle in the municipality of Fresnicourt-le-Dolmen in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region. The castle dates from the 13th and 15th centuries and is one of the best preserved medieval castles in northern France. The castle is surrounded by moats and has a drawbridge and a keep. The castle is open to visitors and offers guided tours.

A beautiful monument, and beautiful hiking in the area