Discover Lécluse

Lécluse can be explored through several distinct themes: the history of the former castle and the Church of Saint-Vaast, religious memorial sites, a local legend, and the marshes with their ponds and wildlife. You can shape your stay around specific local stories or nature.

Saint-Vaast and the history of the village

The Church of Saint-Vaast stands almost on the site of the former Château de Lécluse, which was completely destroyed in the 17th century. Work on the church lasted six years, from 1925 to 1931. Its architecture includes a nave and two aisles, each lit by five openings. This layout gives the church a distinct architectural feature, while its location also recalls the earlier history of the castle.

The Grotte de Lourdes also connects a specific year of construction with a local story. Built in 1878, it is considered the oldest replica of the Lourdes grotto in the Douaisis area. Madame Feugey-Labalette had it built out of gratitude for a child’s recovery. The grotto is on Rue du Bois, opposite the cemetery and near the stadium. Its construction date, the reason it was built, and its location offer different points of interest if you are interested in Lécluse’s religious history.

Local landmarks and stories

The keystone of Lécluse has several historical connections. Until the 17th century, it adorned the chapel of the Maladrerie at the edge of the village on the road toward Ecourt-Saint-Quentin. The coats of arms carved in relief on the stone belonged to Antoine de Croy, Seigneur of Sempy. Today, the keystone is on the village square between the childcare center and the municipal offices. As its location may change, check where it is currently displayed before your visit.

La Pierre du Diable lies near the road to Etaing and is associated with a local legend. According to the story, the devil threw the stone after a farmer’s pact failed: he was supposed to rebuild a barn before the rooster’s crow announced morning. Missing the deadline is the turning point of the tale. Alongside the architectural and religious memorial sites, this oral story connects Lécluse with the stone.

Marshes, wildlife watching, and literature

The Circuit autour des marais trail runs along the ponds of Lécluse. Numerous animal species can be spotted between the marshes and the footbridges. The trail offers a different perspective on the village from its buildings and historical landmarks, focusing instead on the landscape and wildlife. Paths and access conditions may change; check the latest information before setting out.

The marshes of Lécluse and their surroundings also feature in literature. Some poems in Paul Verlaine’s 1869 collection Fêtes galantes seem to have been inspired by them, including Promenade sentimentale. While the trail highlights the ponds and opportunities to observe wildlife, this possible source of inspiration offers a literary perspective on the landscape.

Local produce

Ferme Tricart is one local food producer. It sells smoked garlic from Arleux as well as yellow and red onions and shallots. Sales are seasonal; if you would like to include these products in your plans, check the timing in advance. The produce gives your stay another tangible connection to Lécluse, without requiring a particular itinerary.

When looking for a hotel in Lécluse, you can start by considering which aspect of the village matters most for your trip: the history and architecture of Saint-Vaast, the religious memorial sites and legends, or the marshes with their ponds and wildlife. Local produce adds a seasonal dimension to these options. This makes it easier to understand Lécluse as a destination with genuinely varied attractions.

Discover more destinations: Wattignies, Marcq-En-Baroeul, Proville, Crèvecœur-Sur-L'escaut, Orchies, Saint-Pol-Sur-Mer, Jolimetz, Féron

For the regional travel guide: Nord.