Bonningues-lès-Ardres: Church, Mill and Landscape

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Bonningues-lès-Ardres, it is worth first considering the different themes of the area: protected landscape, the Église Saint-Léger, the Taufour Julienne mill, a cycling tour starting in the village and farm-fresh produce.

The landscape around Bonningues-lès-Ardres

The Natura 2000 site La forêt de Tournehem et les pelouses du pays de Licques covers 453.43 hectares and spans four municipalities, including Bonningues-lès-Ardres. Its name refers to the forests of Tournehem and the grasslands of the Pays de Licques. This protected area is therefore a distinct landscape feature alongside the village’s historic buildings. Its area and its reach across four municipalities offer a different point of reference from the architectural history of individual buildings.

Église Saint-Léger: architectural history and bell

Several periods in the building’s history are reflected in the Église Saint-Léger. The choir and nave date from 1824; in 1870, the church was largely rebuilt by the architect Libersalle. It is in the Gothic style. The parish church is dedicated to Saint Léger. The dating of its parts and the later rebuilding are therefore as relevant to understanding the building as its religious dedication.

The bell Françoise Marie Adèle is also part of the church’s history. It was delivered on 2 April 1858 and weighs 415 kilograms. A description published in 2007 records that it was rung by hand to mark the Angelus prayer. Its name, delivery date and weight give a specific account of this individual item; the reference to the Angelus adds a religious context to the information about the architecture.

The history of the mill and its surviving machinery

The Moulin à farine Taufour Julienne offers another perspective on local history. It is said to have been rebuilt by Mariel Matte in 1877; the date when it ceased operating is also reported with some uncertainty: the mill is said to have stopped operating in 1957. A possible rebuilding and the reported end of operations thus stand alongside one another as distinct historical reference points.

The mill’s shaft and the wooden mechanism of the waterwheel have been preserved. There are also two millstones, a bolting machine and a winnower. A bolting machine sifts flour, while a winnower separates grain from chaff using air. Together, these parts represent different aspects of milling technology: the waterwheel drive, grinding and further stages of grain processing. The dates and surviving components thus offer two distinct ways of understanding the mill—its history over time and its technical equipment.

Cycling and farm produce

One specific cycling option is the Liaison douce Bonningues-lès-Ardres–Lumbres route. It starts in Bonningues-lès-Ardres. If you include the route in your travel plans, check the latest route information beforehand.

The Ferme de la Vallée de la Hem produces charcuterie, meat, poultry and fresh meat; meat and charcuterie are sold directly from the farm. If you plan a visit, check the opening times for sales in advance.

For travel planning, the topics can be distinguished by their points of reference: the church and mill offer insights into architectural and technological history, the Natura 2000 site is described by its area and the four municipalities it spans, and the cycling route by its starting point in the village. This can help you decide whether cultural history, landscape or a cycling activity should be the main focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Étaples, Maintenay, Nœux-Les-Mines, Marenla, Neuville-Sous-Montreuil, Grenay, Souchez, Longvilliers.

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