Godewaersvelde: Village history, trails and Mont des Cats

In Godewaersvelde, village history, religious heritage and trails through the Flemish countryside come together. For planning your trip, the Sentier des Fraudeurs, historic sights and Mont des Cats offer different points of interest. You can get to know the area through its hiking trails as well as its buildings, traditions and monastic history.

Hiking trails and landscape

The Sentier des Fraudeurs is 11 km long, with an estimated walking time of about 3 hours and 50 minutes. The trail starts at the former Godewaersvelde railway station and links paths, a former railway line and quiet roads. Along the way, it passes the Godewaersvelde British Cemetery. The route length and approximate duration give you a clear guide for planning your day.

The municipality also offers downloadable walking routes that start in Godewaersvelde. Several circular routes begin in the town centre and can be explored on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. The Sentier des Fraudeurs is listed as an 11 km hike with a walking time of about 3 hours and 50 minutes, while the circular routes start in the town centre and can be explored on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback.

Mont des Cats lies within the municipalities of Berthen and Godewaersvelde. From its 164 m summit, hikers can enjoy views of the rolling landscape of the Monts de Flandre. The wooded massif includes 20 hectares that invite visitors to enjoy walks in a typically Flemish atmosphere. The area known as “Mont des Cats, monts de Boeschèpe et Mont Kokereel” also includes Godewaersvelde: it is a type 1 continental natural heritage inventory, whose entry was revised on 11 June 2024.

Buildings, history and living traditions

The Église Saint-Pierre was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style between 1904 and 1906. Its interior furnishings were created by Gustave Pattein. Another way to explore the village’s history is the Musée de la Vie Frontalière: housed in the former presbytery, it explains the historic conflict between customs officers and smugglers. The Brasserie Saint-Eloi building documents Godewaersvelde’s significant brewing activity in the early 20th century and its local brewing craft.

Nearly 1,000 Commonwealth service personnel are buried at the British cemetery in Godewaersvelde. The cemetery is also a place where a specific part of the village’s wartime history can be discovered; the Sentier des Fraudeurs passes by it. Village guides can accompany individuals and groups on tours of the sights. These tours are available on request, and prior contact is required.

Religious traditions are also part of the local heritage. A ceremony takes place at the Chapelle de la Passion on Good Friday, and many people still attend. The practice of attaching pieces of cloth from sick people to the rail around the Holy Sepulchre is also continued there. Regular folk festivities include a carnival with a parade and floats. Other traditions that are kept alive include high-standing archery, the Flemish ball game and cockfighting.

Mont des Cats and local products

A Trappist Cistercian monastery with about 30 monks has stood on Mont des Cats since 1826. The abbey’s cheese dairy is now the monks’ main source of livelihood. Its milk comes from nearby farms and is supplied by the Danone company in Bailleul. A guided tour of Mont des Cats includes a tasting of two cheeses made by the monastery. Check the available dates and availability before planning your visit.

In the centre of Godewaersvelde, Calibou & co combines a bistro with a grocery store selling local products. This means that, alongside the monastic cheese-making tradition, local products also feature in the village centre. The two examples have different connections to the area: one is linked to the Mont des Cats Abbey, while the other is in the centre of Godewaersvelde.

Another place to visit

The Aire ludique L’Observatoire caché consists of two land art installations between the village of Godewaersvelde and Mont des Cats Abbey. Visitors can play, climb and observe life around the pond. Together with the trails, historic village centre and religious traditions, it offers a varied picture of local destinations. When choosing what to do, you can decide whether to focus your stay on the stated hiking route, the village’s history or the landscape around Mont des Cats.

Discover more destinations: Fourmies, Tilloy-Lez-Marchiennes, La Gorgue, Steenbecque, Eppe-Sauvage, Hordain, Cousolre, Bas-Lieu

Return to the regional travel overview: Nord.