Serques – Marshes, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Serques can be explored through several specific themes: its marshes, the Église Saint-Omer and local produce. If you are considering Serques as a destination, these offer starting points for a range of interests—from wetland landscapes to architecture and regional vegetable growing.

The marshes and their waterways

The Marais de Serques à Saint Martin-au Laert is crisscrossed by an extensive network of watergangs; some areas form real islands. The ZNIEFF “Marais de Serques à Saint Martin-au Laert” covers Serques and extends over 555.77 hectares. Serques also forms part of the Natura 2000 site “Prairies, marais tourbeux, forêts et bois de la cuvette audomaroise et de ses versants”. Both designations clearly connect the nature theme to the area, while the watergangs and island plots describe the marshes’ distinctive structure.

The wetland is also botanically noteworthy: the Marais de Serques à Saint Martin-au Laert contains the region’s only station of alpine pondweed (Potamogeton alpinus). This brings together a particular landscape and a specific plant species as part of the area’s natural character. If nature is important to your choice of destination, the marshes offer a clearly defined point of interest in Serques.

Église Saint-Omer: architecture and art

The Église Saint-Omer de Serques has a Latin-cross floor plan and a single-nave nave. The cross-shaped plan describes the layout of the building; “single-nave” refers to the structure of the nave. Together, these two features give a brief architectural impression of the church.

The church’s origins probably date back to the 12th century or earlier; the presence of a clergyman is said to go back to 1187. These details are expressed cautiously. The church also houses the 16th-century sculptural group “Saint Anne, the Virgin and the Child Jesus”. A pulpit is also associated with the Église Saint-Omer. The architecture, possible early origins and dated sculpture thus point to different aspects of the area’s history. For those interested in cultural history, the church offers a specific point of interest for considering its architecture and sacred art together.

The mill and local produce

The Moulin de Serques ceased operating in 1951. Today, it is a ruin on private property. Do not assume it is open to visitors when planning your trip; check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Another aspect of the area is vegetable growing at Au Jardin de Serques. Around forty different types of vegetables are produced there, including carotte de Tilques. The farm offers direct sales in its shop and in lockers that are accessible around the clock. Since sales and opening arrangements may change, check the current options before visiting.

Serques brings together a range of interests: the marshes as a natural feature, the church and its architectural and art-historical associations, as well as the history of the mill and vegetable growing. These themes can help you decide whether Serques is a good match for the things you would like to explore during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Tortefontaine, Aubrometz, Dannes, Rivière, Auxi-Le-Château, Audruicq, Mouriez, Annay.

For an overview of the wider region: Pas-De-Calais.