Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem: Culture, Landscape and Leisure

Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem appeals to travellers with a range of interests: the medieval town centre offers a cultural focus, while Chapelle Saint Louis de Guémy, with its hillside setting, views and wildlife habitat, reveals a different side of the area’s natural character. There are also the Via Francigena, hiking trails and Fééryland. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between local history, landscape, outdoor activities and entertainment for children.

Town Centre and Via Francigena

The historic centre of Tournehem is a medieval castle town that dates back directly to the Middle Ages. A medieval gate has been preserved, and the town centre also includes a remarkable group of chalk buildings. The gate and buildings provide two concrete points of reference for the centre: its medieval layout and chalk as a building material. Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem is also on the official cultural route of the Via Francigena, which connects Canterbury with Rome. This adds a distinct cultural route connection to the local architectural heritage.

Chapelle Saint Louis de Guémy

Chapelle Saint Louis de Guémy is a 15th-century ruin on a hillside. In clear weather, it offers views south across the Hem Valley and north towards Dunkerque and Cap Blanc Nez. The view over the valley therefore depends on clear visibility. The site provides a habitat for reptiles and butterflies, including the butterfly species Azuré bleu céleste and Point de Hongrie. Here, the history of the ruin, a weather-dependent view and a wildlife habitat come together. The town centre has a medieval character, while the chapel ruin is more precisely dated to the 15th century. Comparing the two makes it easier to place their historical backgrounds in context.

Hiking in the Hem Valley

Le Bois d'Elloo is a circular walking route that starts in Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem. The circular route to Chapelle Saint-Louis runs along the northern slope of the Hem Valley. The routes differ in their specific features: Le Bois d'Elloo is defined by its circular layout and starting point in the town, while the Chapelle circuit is defined by its destination and course along the northern valley slope. Check current trail conditions for the Chapelle circuit before setting out.

Fééryland and breaks for hikers

Fééryland is a leisure park in Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem with attractions for children aged 2 to 14. These include giant inflatable structures, rides, mini golf, slides, pedal boats, small boats and pony rides. The age range makes the offer especially relevant to travellers with children in this age group. Hiking estaminets in Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem welcome passing hikers for a break. Check current opening hours before planning a stop.

Discover more destinations: Wirwignes, Bonningues-lès-Ardres, Saint-Martin-Choquel, Éperlecques, Beutin, Wismes, Audruicq, Saulchoy

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