Marœuil: Nature Trails, Heritage and Remembrance

For a stay in Marœuil, consider trails through the forest and marshland, as well as religious heritage and places of remembrance. The specific trail lengths make it possible to compare the forest trails with longer routes; the historic sites offer distinct points of interest related to Sainte-Bertille and the battles in Artois.

Trails in the Bois de Marœuil and by the marshland

The Bois de Marœuil is a sensitive natural area covering 72 hectares and extending across Marœuil and Mont Saint Eloi. It has two named trails: the 1.87-kilometre Sentier de la Sittelle and the 2.6-kilometre Sentier de l’écureuil. At 1.87 kilometres, the Sentier de la Sittelle is 730 metres shorter. It is accessible to people with reduced mobility. As access conditions may change, check them on site.

The trail by the Marais de Marœuil can be accessed from the car park on Rue de la Source. Another option is a seven-kilometre walking route that starts at École Marguerite Yourcenar, passes through the forest and streets of the town, reaches the marshland and returns to the school. If you choose this local loop, check the trail markings and maintenance conditions on site.

The 7.3-kilometre “Entre Bois et Marais” trail can also be reached from the marshland. The seven-kilometre local loop starts and ends at École Marguerite Yourcenar, while “Entre Bois et Marais” can be reached from the marshland. These different starting points help distinguish between the two longer routes.

A municipal council resolution dated 27 September 2021 names the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route, the GR 127 and the GRP des Sites de Mémoire as routes that pass through Marœuil. Check the current trail markings on site if you wish to follow one of these routes.

Sainte-Bertille and local history

The Chapelle de pèlerinage Sainte-Bertille is located on Rue de Louez. The pilgrimage chapel dates from the 18th century and is listed as a historic monument. The Petit Château is also part of the town’s history: it was formerly the residence of the abbots of Sainte-Bertille Abbey.

The furnishings of the Église de Sainte-Bertille include a sandstone baptismal font dating from 1622 and two reliquaries from the 18th century; the reliquaries are listed as historic monuments. Beneath the porch there is also a cenotaph of Bishop Eustache de Croy dated 1538. The dates thus range from the cenotaph to the baptismal font and the reliquaries, giving these historic objects distinct chronological contexts.

Remembrance of the battles in Artois

The Nécropole nationale de Marœuil contains the remains of soldiers who died for France during the battles in Artois from 1914 to 1918. The site includes a memorial to the 156th and 160th Infantry Regiments from the period 1914–1918. The Nécropole can be visited without a guide throughout the year. Before travelling, check whether there is an exceptional closure.

Discover more destinations: Sallaumines, Agnez-lès-Duisans, Blingel, Vieil-Hesdin, Pernes-lès-Boulogne, Merlimont, Neufchâtel-Hardelot, Cavron-Saint-Martin

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