Discover Merville

If you choose Merville as your destination, you can explore the town through several distinct themes: architectural history, a historic walking trail, parkland, and nautical and traditional activities. This lets you tailor the focus of your visit to your interests.

Town hall and traces of history

Merville’s town hall was designed by architect Louis Cordonnier. It is a Renaissance-style building and was inaugurated on 7 April 1929. The architect, architectural style and precise inauguration date together offer a tangible insight into the town hall’s architectural history.

The “Au fil de l’eau” walking trail

The “Au fil de l’eau” historic walking trail starts at the car park of the Base Nautique on Rue Duhamel Liard. It is signposted in the town centre with historical information boards at various stops and is approximately five kilometres long. The route therefore combines a clear approximate distance with historical information along the way.

Another link to the history of the town is the “Caou” barge: the bow and stern of the last barge moored in the town have been restored and are now on display there. The town hall, information boards and displayed barge offer different ways to explore Merville through its architectural and local history.

Parkland and cycling network

The Prés de la Ville park covers seven hectares and includes natural areas and wetlands. So alongside architecture and historical landmarks, the itinerary also takes in a landscape of natural areas and wetlands. When planning your stay around a particular theme, you can consider this parkland as a focus in its own right, alongside the walking trail.

The Base Nautique Claude Boulenguer is a starting point for walks and is located on a Véloroute and within the cycling network of junctions. The “Vallée de la Lys & Monts de Flandre” cycling network of junctions is featured in the area surrounding Merville. The Base also offers nautical activities and nature discovery workshops; events are organised there every year, too.

Traditions and activities

Traditional water jousting takes place at the Deux Ponts every year on 14 July and 15 August. If you would like to plan your visit around this tradition, both dates may be relevant when planning your trip. Traditional upright-pole archery is also practised at the Prés de la Ville; introductory sessions are available for groups and individuals.

An association organises competitions and challenges throughout the year based on a typically Flemish game. The challenges are open to everyone, with special introductory sessions available for groups. So alongside the walking trail and parkland, Merville also offers traditional activities as a focus in their own right. When choosing your stay, you can weigh up architecture, nature and activities based on these different themes.

Discover more destinations: Sars-Poteries, Prisches, Ramousies, Villers-Guislain, Landrecies, Ferrière-La-Petite, Roncq, Cassel

Back to the wider travel overview: Nord.