Marchiennes: Nature Trails and Cultural History

Marchiennes brings together protected marshland, trails through the forest and along the Scarpe, and traces of local history. This offers different ways to shape your visit: walks by the water, hiking, cycling, or exploring local history and architecture.

Nature, forest and trails along the Scarpe

The Réserve naturelle nationale de la Tourbière alcaline de Marchiennes covers 34 hectares of typical marshland. The forêt de Marchiennes offers hiking and cycling trails through a natural area designated as Natura 2000. In Marchiennes, the towpath along the Scarpe offers 13 kilometres of walks by the water. From the summit of the Terril de Germignies Nord, you can enjoy open views across the Scarpe plain. These destinations offer different experiences: a protected natural area, forest trails, waterside walks and a viewpoint.

Local history and architecture

The Musée d’Histoire locale de Marchiennes is housed in the former prisons of the Bailliage. Its collections are displayed in six rooms and cover topics ranging from prehistory to the modern era. Highlights include a scale model of Marchiennes from 1791 and the former dungeons. Exhibition details may change with future exhibitions. The present-day Sainte Rictrude parish church is also neoclassical, adding an architectural perspective to the town’s history.

Hiking and cycling

Le circuit de l’abbaye is an easy 10.0-kilometre hiking route. It starts in the heart of Marchiennes and heads towards a state forest and the towpath along the Scarpe. The Circuit de l’Elpret starts at Place Gambetta on Rue de l’Abbaye; check the signs locally to confirm this starting point. Take care not to confuse the names: the abbey route has a stated distance and difficulty level, while Place Gambetta is the specific landmark for the Elpret route.

The Tomme sur le pouce au pays des grenouilles rousses cycling route is 23.5 kilometres long, passes through Marchiennes and follows the Voie Verte de la Plaine de la Scarpe. Compared with the 10.0-kilometre hike on the circuit de l’abbaye, it differs in both distance and mode of travel. The two distances therefore refer to different routes. Check the route signs and local signage before setting off.

Getting there and planning your visit

The nearest train stations to Marchiennes are Somain and Orchies. Somain is served by the Douai–Valenciennes line, and Orchies by the Lille–Valenciennes line. Check current timetables and connections before travelling.

If you would like to visit the Cafés Poitau roastery, individual visitors and groups can call 03.27.99.21.90 for information about visit arrangements. Please check these before your arrival.

Discover more destinations: Wignehies, Méteren, Lambersart, Drincham, Sebourg, Seclin, Staple, Sars-Poteries

For the regional travel overview: Nord.