Ytres: Tunnel Engineering, Architecture and Hiking Trail

The Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt runs through Ytres; Église Saint-Pierre d’Ytres and the Le Ch'tiot Vélu hiking trail offer other, very different themes. At the tunnel, the focus is on engineering and ventilation; at the church, on construction and stained-glass windows; and on the hiking trail, on the rural cultural landscape of three villages. If you are looking for hotels for a trip to Ytres, these themes can help you identify your own interests: are you more interested in technical facilities, architecture or a hiking route?

The Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt and its engineering

The Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt runs through Ytres. Its 1,150-metre-long central section has two tracks, allowing barges to pass one another. The stated length refers to this central section. This clearly defines the tunnel’s engineering focus: the double track is directly linked to its purpose of allowing vessels to pass. For anyone exploring Ytres, the tunnel offers a different perspective from church architecture or the hiking landscape.

The ventilation station

Another engineering highlight is the ventilation station of the Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt in Ytres. It was installed around 1965 to ventilate exhaust fumes from barges in the tunnel. Its equipment includes two rail-mounted turbines, one of which is a standby turbine. The station building also contains a control room with a bow window facing the turbines, an electrical distribution centre, a diesel emergency generator and a garage. Ventilation is the installation’s purpose; the control room and power equipment add to the picture of its functions within the building. Alongside the tunnel section itself, the station offers a distinct perspective on technical facilities and how they are housed.

The architecture of Église Saint-Pierre d’Ytres

Église Saint-Pierre d’Ytres was built in 1930 by architect Louis Faille. Stone from Saint-Maximin and brick were used in its construction; the stained-glass windows were designed by Raphaël Lardeur. The church brings together architectural history, building materials and artistic design. Stone and brick shape the description of the structure, while the windows are attributed to a named artist. Those interested in architecture can consider these aspects separately: the year of construction and the architect on one hand, and the materials and stained-glass windows on the other. This makes the church’s focus distinct from both the tunnel’s technical function and the landscape along the hiking trail.

Le Ch'tiot Vélu through three villages

Le Ch'tiot Vélu is a yellow-marked hiking trail. Its route passes through the rural cultural landscape of the villages of Bertincourt, Ytres and Velu. Unlike a single building, its focus is on the route through several places and their cultural landscape. This offers a different perspective on Ytres: the route draws attention to the rural landscape, while the ventilation station and church each put specific buildings and their technical or architectural features at the centre. Check local conditions before setting out.

The main difference when choosing between these themes is their scale: Le Ch'tiot Vélu passes through three villages, while the tunnel, ventilation station and church each focus on a specific facility or building. You can therefore consider whether you are more interested in a hiking route through the cultural landscape or in individual technical and architectural themes.

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