Auberchicourt: Sainte-Marie Slag Heap and Wolf Tradition

Auberchicourt offers several specific points of interest to help you plan a stay: trails and views at the Sainte-Marie Slag Heap, local wolf traditions and traces of history. If you are looking for a hotel in Auberchicourt, these themes can help you choose the focus of your trip—from outdoor activities to local history and festivals. The slag heap represents both landscape and activity, while the wolf tradition, church and festival offer a cultural perspective.

Sainte-Marie Slag Heap: Landscape and Trails

The Sainte-Marie Slag Heap covers 70 hectares. Woodlands, trails and viewpoints characterize the site, where you can go walking and cycling. This gives you two ways to experience the slag heap as you plan your visit: its landscape and the activities available there.

The Chemin des Galibots is a walking and cycling loop on the Sainte-Marie Slag Heap, running mostly along former mine railway lines. While walking and cycling are generally possible throughout the slag heap, the loop gives you a specific route to follow. Its route connects present-day leisure activities with former mining tracks.

Wolf Tradition and Traces of History

Auberchicourt’s residents are called “leus”; the local identity associated with wolves is also reflected in the Chemin des loups and in a local giant figure in the shape of a wolf. The wolf thus appears in a name for the residents, a trail name and a local figure. For your trip planning, this offers a different point of interest from the trails at the slag heap: the focus is on local names and symbolism rather than an outdoor activity. The local wolf tradition is distinct from the Festival of the Wolf: the tradition represents Auberchicourt’s identity, while the festival is an annual event.

Auberchicourt was first mentioned in 1079 in documents relating to the founding of Anchin Abbey. Gallo-Roman remains were discovered during construction work in the early 2000s; a local road is still known as the Voie romaine. These are different kinds of historical evidence: an early written mention, an archaeological find and a road name still in use today.

Another point of interest is the Church of Notre-Dame de la Visitation. A report dated February 22, 2019, mentions more than 70 stained-glass windows there, restored by Raphaël Lardeur after the destruction of the First World War. The church adds a specific architectural theme to the historical sites: stained-glass windows and their restoration after wartime destruction.

Chaufour and the Festival of the Wolf

The wooded Chaufour site is a place to visit in Auberchicourt. It hosts the Fête médiévale du loup (Medieval Festival of the Wolf) every year. As a travel interest, the festival differs from the trails at the slag heap: the focus here is a cultural event, not a walking or cycling route. If the festival is important to your stay, check the specific event dates in advance and plan your visit around the actual date.

Discover more destinations: Sebourg, Steenvoorde, Houplines, Wambrechies, Genech, Prisches, Eppe-Sauvage, Naves.

For the regional travel overview: Nord.