The best traffic-free bike rides around Happencourt

These charging stations are actively in use. I've never seen so many cargo ships on any other canal. There are several charging stations of various shapes and sizes along the canal.

Completely constructed in white and black stone, the Basilica of Saint-Quentin is the second Gothic building in Picardy. Built between the end of the 12th and the end of the 15th centuries, it is best known as the burial place of the martyr Quentin, who gave it its name. Listed as a historical monument, the building boasts original architecture, with a porch tower over 34 meters high, a double transept, and a concentric choir. Inside, visitors are captivated by the ancient 260-meter-long labyrinth carved into the nave's paving. Stained glass windows installed at various times complement the artistic offerings of the Basilica of Saint-Quentin, particularly medieval stained glass windows in the 12th-century apse chapels. These depict episodes from the lives of the Virgin Mary and Saint Stephen.

The castle is almost invisible from the towpath. Good that the highlight is positioned correctly, otherwise you will definitely miss it.

The Canal du Nord is a 95 km long canal in northern France that connects the Oise Valley to the Dunkirk-Scheldt Canal. Construction began in 1908, but was interrupted by the First World War. The canal was not completed and opened to navigation until 1965. The canal has 19 locks and two tunnels, including the Ruyaulcourt Tunnel, which spans a height difference of 40 metres. The Canal du Nord is an important waterway for inland navigation, but will be replaced in the future by the Seine-Nord Europe Canal, a more modern connection.

The Château d'Happlaincourt, a medieval castle, dates from the 13th century and was originally a fortified structure with a square floor plan, surrounded by water. During the First World War, the castle was largely destroyed, leaving only ruins today. Historically, it played a role in the Catholic League in the 16th century, when Jacques d'Humières drew up a manifesto there to restore the Catholic religion.

The listed building is striking for its original architecture with a porch tower over 34 meters high, a double transept or a radio-concentric choir. Inside, the visitor is seduced by the ancient 260 m long labyrinth engraved in the paving of the nave. Stained glass windows installed at different times complete the artistic offer of the Saint-Quentin Basilica, with in particular medieval stained glass windows in the apse chapels dating from the 12th century. These depict episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary and Saint Stephen.

The Basilique Saint-Quentin is a beautiful Gothic church in the heart of Saint-Quentin, France. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, this basilica is dedicated to the martyr Saint Quentin. With an impressive 133 meters long and 40 meters high, it is a real eye-catcher. What makes this basilica really special are the unique architectural elements such as the tower-portico at the front, the double transept, and the choir with radiating chapels. Inside, you will also find an ancient labyrinth of 260 meters in the floor of the nave, which is a fascinating detail. The basilica has a rich history and contains the relics of Saint Quentin, who were an important object of veneration in the Middle Ages. Although the building was badly damaged during the First World War, it was reopened in 1956 after extensive restoration.

The Église Saint-Sulpice de Clastres is a church building located in Clastres, in the Aisne department. It is dedicated to Saint-Sulpice and is an interesting example of Christian architecture in the region. The church contains an organ by Alexis Collet.