Discover Hordain

Hordain brings together a brewing heritage, the Escaut landscape and a Merovingian archaeological site. The Escaut borders the town along its entire western side; a nature reserve stretches along its banks. The town also features a contrast between agricultural plains and industrial landscapes, as well as a local music culture.

The Escaut, the Nature Reserve and a Changing Landscape

Grey herons, owls and coots can be found among pollarded willows in the nature reserve along the banks of the Escaut. The riverbanks, woodland and birdlife give this natural area distinctive features beyond its location. At the same time, Hordain marks a boundary between agricultural plains and industrial landscapes. This contrast offers a different perspective on the town from a description focused solely on nature: both types of landscape are part of its character.

If you include nature in your travel plans, it is worth distinguishing this riverside landscape from Hordain’s other highlights. The brewing heritage and Merovingian archaeological site each tell their own story; the nature reserve adds a landscape-focused element. This lets you plan your stay around specific interests without conflating the different aspects of the town.

La Choulette: Brewing Heritage and Tours

La Choulette brewery dates back to the 19th century and welcomes many beer lovers. Garde-Bière La Choulette is also part of Hordain’s culinary character: it is a local gastronomic speciality. Together, these represent a local product tradition tied to the brewery’s history.

Choulette Expérience offers an immersive, interactive tour. Visitors can discover brewing equipment and the Choulettorium, and sample products. Regular tour dates are planned for 2026; check the schedule before your visit. This is a separate attraction from the small brewery museum, which is housed in a former storage cellar.

The museum displays restored historic brewing objects. Check access and the exhibition details again before travelling. When planning, you can distinguish between the Choulette Expérience tour and a museum visit rather than treating them as the same experience.

Merovingian History and Local Music

A Merovingian cemetery with 430 burials was discovered in Hordain. A funerary chapel was built in the cemetery in the 7th century. The number of burials gives the site a tangible scale, while the chapel adds a structure with a specific date. Merovingian history thus opens a much earlier time horizon than the 19th-century La Choulette brewery.

The Harmonie d'Hordain is also part of the town’s cultural history. It traces its roots to a brass band founded in 1922 and performs in Hordain and nearby towns. Its programme includes concerts, parades, carnival events and serenades. Music is therefore a distinct aspect alongside archaeology and brewing culture; its activities extend beyond concerts to parades and events.

Getting Your Bearings for a Visit

The D630 between Iwuy and Bouchain, towards Estrun, is considered the best way to discover Hordain. It offers a striking entrance to the town. This specific road reference provides a landmark for approaching the town without predetermining the landscape or historical focus of your visit. When planning, you can consider the brewery tour, nature reserve, archaeological site and local music culture as separate themes, and check tour dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Marchiennes, Lesquin, La Madeleine, Grand-Fort-Philippe, Leffrinckoucke, Wormhout, Faches-Thumesnil, Le Cateau-Cambrésis.

See the regional travel overview: Nord.