Discover Blingel: Hiking and Church History

This can help you decide before booking whether your stay should focus on outdoor activity, cultural history, or a combination of the two.

Hiking trails and landscapes

The GRP Tour du Ternois Sud long-distance hiking trail passes through Blingel. A there-and-back route on the Tour du Ternois Sud also runs from Rollancourt via Blingel. The village is therefore both part of a regional long-distance trail and a stopping point on a loop starting in Rollancourt.

Another route description concerns Les Vallons, a route between Blangy-sur-Ternoise and Blingel. It follows hilly paths through varied landscapes; the flora typical of chalk soils includes orchids. The terrain and plant life give this route its own character. On the Sentier des Vallons, the trail leads to Blingel. Along this route, the Ternoise is crossed, after which the trail runs alongside the railway line. The descriptions of the two Vallons routes therefore refer to different points of interest: landscapes and flora on Les Vallons, and the trail’s course on the Sentier des Vallons. Before setting out, check the current GRP waymarking and the conditions on the respective route.

Saint-Martin: architecture and history

The Church of Saint-Martin is built entirely of chalk stone. It consists of a nave, a slightly narrower and taller choir, and a three-sided apse. The contrast between the nave and the narrower, taller choir makes the structure’s layout especially clear; the three-sided apse adds a distinctly recognizable form.

The church is depicted in a gouache painting in the albums of Charles de Croÿ dating from the early 17th century. It was rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century. Remains of a doorway that may date from the 16th century have also survived. This dating is explicitly uncertain and should be distinguished from the dated depiction and the rebuilding.

Restoration work mainly involved the masonry, roof frame, and roofing; a boarded vault was also restored. Together with the chalk stone and the layout of the nave, choir, and apse, these features offer different aspects to consider when looking at the architecture: the material, the design, and the work carried out each belong to a distinct part of the church’s history.

Haras de Blingel and the surrounding area

The Haras de Blingel also links local history with accommodation. The estate included 60 stalls, a training track, and a breeding station. In 2010, the property was sold and converted into equestrian holiday accommodation with a swimming pool and reception room; horses continued to be present there. If you are considering this holiday accommodation in your plans, check availability separately.

Another historical point of interest is the Sainte-Emme Chapel, at the entrance to Blangy-sur-Ternoise, on Rue d'Hesdin between Blingel and Blangy-sur-Ternoise. It was built in 1885. Check local access conditions before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Beussent, Embry, Fiennes, Airon-Notre-Dame, Maresville, Dannes, Buire-Le-Sec, Écuires.

For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.