Hem: Culture, Trails and Hotels

If you’re looking for a hotel in Hem, the places and activities you’re planning to visit can be a helpful starting point. Hem offers a range of themes: the architectural and artistic history of a chapel, trails of varying lengths through different landscapes, and cultural and culinary destinations. This makes it easy to plan your trip around whether you’re most interested in architecture, nature, outdoor activities or a specific event. For seasonal access and activities with changing schedules, check the arrangements for your visit in advance.

Culture in Hem: Chapel and Digital Artworks

The Chapelle Sainte-Thérèse-de-l'Enfant-Jésus-et-de-la-Sainte-Face was built between 1956 and 1958 with the involvement of architect Hermann Baur and painter Alfred Manessier. Since 14 February 1995, the chapel and its campanile have been listed as historic monuments. Together with the nearby workers’ houses, the chapel forms a beguinage. The Boucle de la Tribonnerie passes by it; the chapel features stained-glass windows by Alfred Manessier.

The Micro-Folie de Hem offers a different kind of cultural experience. This free cultural venue, open to everyone, provides access to digital works from more than 400 national and international institutions and museums. Its public programme may change. If you want to explore specific content, check in advance whether it is currently available.

Trails through Wet Meadows and Riverside Woodland

At 800 metres, the Chemin de la Salamandre is considerably shorter than the 5.76-kilometre Boucle des quatre vents, which is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The Chemin runs alongside Hem’s species-rich wet meadows. Geocaching on this trail is free, available year-round to visitors aged five and over, and can be done independently. App availability may change; check in advance if you’re planning to go geocaching.

The Boucle de la Source follows the Marque through riverside woodland, where the European hedgehog is protected. The trails therefore offer different landscape settings: wet meadows along the Chemin de la Salamandre and riverside woodland along the Marque. You can choose between them based on the surroundings you’re looking for and, in the case of the Boucle des quatre vents, its expressly stated accessibility condition.

Leisure at the Base de Loisirs de Hem

The Base de Loisirs de Hem has a fishing pond, sports equipment, table tennis and chess tables, picnic tables, and a children’s play area. Access is seasonal, so take this into account when planning your visit. The “Lille côté marais à vélo” cycle route leads to the Base. As the route may change seasonally, check the current route for your planned dates.

Brewery, Café and Sunday Market

The Boucle du Houblon leads to Ferme Braquaval, a typical four-sided farm with a cobbled courtyard. The farm dates back to the 16th century and was renovated in 2016. The building housing the Les Tours du Malt craft brewery also has a Café Rando. Café opening arrangements may change; if you’re planning to stop there, check the current details in advance.

Les Tours du Malt offers guided brewery tours with explanations of the brewing process, beer tasting and the Tour Infern'Ale game. Tour dates may change. Check the dates in advance if the tour is a fixed part of your trip. The Sunday market is held every Sunday morning from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on the Grand’Place; the vendors may vary.

Discover more destinations: Marly, Ferrière-la-Grande, Ramousies, Eppe-Sauvage, Croix, Sars-Poteries, Walincourt-Selvigny, Deûlémont

For the main travel overview: Nord.