Roussent: Marshland, Heritage and Pottery

Roussent Between Nature and Heritage

Roussent offers several points of interest for planning a trip: the Marais de Roussent, a former peat extraction area; Saint Riquier Church and its architectural history; a pottery offering classes; and traditional cuisine at the restaurant of the Auberge des Étangs. Nature, heritage, crafts and food provide different points of focus. Which aspect interests you most can help shape the character of your stay.

The Marais de Roussent covers more than 70 hectares and is a Natura 2000 site. It is a former peat extraction area; a viewing point offers views of landscapes typical of alkaline fens. Rue des Étangs crosses the area and connects Pas-de-Calais with the Somme.

The history, development of the landscape, fauna and flora offer further ways to explore the marshland. The area also includes peatland habitats preserved through the European LIFE Anthropofens programme. Past use, changes to the landscape and preserved wetland areas thus come together as different themes through which to view the area.

To decide what to focus on, consider the difference: in the marshland, the landscape and its past use shape the connection with nature, while the church and farm bring in architectural and artistic history, as well as a cautiously phrased history of ownership.

Church, Crafts and Cuisine

Saint Riquier Church in Roussent dates from 1842. It houses a wooden statue of Saint Riquier from the 15th century. The two dates point to different periods: the church was built in the 19th century, while the statue is several centuries older. This makes it possible to distinguish the church’s architectural history from religious wood sculpture as two separate aspects of cultural history. If you are interested in sacred art or local history, the building and statue offer different points of interest.

A farm dating from 1749 adds another historical perspective: it is said to have belonged to Sainte Austreberthe Abbey before the French Revolution. This brings a possible historic ownership connection alongside architectural and artistic history.

La Poterie du Val d’Authie pottery in Roussent makes functional ceramics such as cups, plates, oil bottles, bowls and jugs. A shop directly adjoining the workshop lets visitors view the potter’s work. Pottery classes are offered for beginners and advanced learners. While the shop focuses on finished pieces, the class is about hands-on participation. A visit to view ceramics and a practical craft class are thus two different ways to engage with pottery.

The restaurant at the Auberge des Étangs serves traditional cuisine featuring meat and fish. The green surroundings and panoramic view over a fishing pond set the scene for the meal. Alongside nature and heritage, there is also a specific culinary option: here, the food and the view go together.

Discover more destinations: Wierre-Effroy, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, Saint-Venant, Anzin-Saint-Aubin, Wamin, Colline-Beaumont, Ferques, Sainte-Catherine.

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