Masnières: Canal Walks and Places of Remembrance

If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Masnières, local themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip: walks along the Canal de Saint-Quentin, memorial sites relating to the history of war, and the history of glassmaking. During the Battle of Cambrai, Masnières marked the furthest point reached by the Allies. The places of remembrance relate to different units and events; the history of the industry offers another perspective on the town.

Walk along the Canal de Saint-Quentin

The Canal de Saint-Quentin was inaugurated in 1810 by Napoleon I and Marie-Louise. In Masnières, the canal banks are suitable for walking. This connects the canal’s historical context with a practical activity for your stay. If you are planning a walk, check local access arrangements before your visit, as these may change.

The canal is a distinct focus alongside the places of remembrance: here, the banks are the destination for a walk, while the monuments commemorate people, regiments, and events. This distinction can help you decide how to spend your time based on your interest in walking or in the history of Masnières, without combining the themes into a single walking tour.

Places of remembrance and their historical connections

A large caribou in Masnières commemorates the soldiers of the Newfoundland Regiment who took part in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. A monument to the Fort Garry Horse was unveiled near the Masnières lock on 11 June 2004. The monument to the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry was unveiled on Rue Verte on 30 November 2017. The two monuments therefore differ in the unit commemorated as well as in their location and date.

The Hostetter stele commemorates American airman Théodore Hostetter, who was killed in action near Masnières on 28 September 1918. It is located on Chemin de Les Rues des Vignes, in the La Fontaine à Corbeaux area of Masnières. The story and memory of John Shiwak are also commemorated in three languages: English, Inuktitut, and French. Together, these memorials relate to different people and military contexts, rather than focusing on just one event.

Saint-Martin: Reconstruction and Neo-Gothic style

The church of Saint-Martin was rebuilt around 1920, after the destruction of the First World War. For the new church, architect Pierre Leprince-Ringuet chose a Neo-Gothic style. Together, these details provide a clear historical context for the church: its reconstruction belongs to the period after the destruction, while the choice of style describes its architectural direction. If you are interested in the town’s history, the church complements the places of remembrance with a perspective on reconstruction.

Glassmaking as part of the town’s history

The Verrerie de Masnières was founded in 1818. For several decades, glassmaking in Masnières has specialised in glass packaging for perfumery and luxury cosmetics. Stoelzle Masnières Parfumerie received the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” label. The founding year, specialisation, and award offer different insights into the industrial side of the town: 1818 marks the founding of the Verrerie, while the specialisation and label relate to the subsequent development of glassmaking.

These themes offer different options for planning your trip: a walk along the banks of the Canal de Saint-Quentin, the places of remembrance and their distinct historical connections, or the history of glassmaking. You can prioritise each theme separately, depending on what you want to focus on during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Pecquencourt, Clairfayts, Halluin, Cuincy, La Madeleine, Le Doulieu, Haulchin, Sémeries.

For the broader travel overview: Nord.