Discover Englancourt

Englancourt brings together rural manor-house architecture, a fortified church and local traditions, along with a viewpoint overlooking the green Oise Valley. The Château de la Plesnoye reflects 17th-century architectural history; at the Fontaine de Saint-Algis, stories range from a legend to traditional beliefs about healing. There is also a short walk and routes with different focuses.

Château de la Plesnoye and rural architecture

The Château de la Plesnoye manor house was built in 1665 and is considered a fine example of 17th-century rural aristocratic architecture in the Thiérache. Its façades and roofs have been partially protected as a listed historic monument since 14 October 1985. The construction date and heritage protection mark two milestones: the creation of the house and the later protection of its façades and roofs.

The fortified Église Saint-Nicolas

The fortified Église Saint-Nicolas d’Englancourt was built of brick above the choir in the 1580s. It is accessed by a staircase within the thickness of the wall; it has no bell tower, and its donjon is located in the choir. Both the fortifications and the unusual arrangement of the entrance and donjon are among its defining architectural features.

The more recent building history includes the restoration of the Église d’Englancourt. Renovation work began in December 2023; the restored church was inaugurated on a Saturday, 27 September.

Traditions at the Fontaine de Saint-Algis

According to tradition, Saint Algis rested at the Fontaine de Saint-Algis in the 7th century. A rogation procession—a religious procession with prayers of intercession—also stopped at the spring on the eve of Ascension Day. The spring is thus associated with both a local saint’s legend and a religious custom.

The water was believed to have healing powers. According to tradition, mothers immersed their children there to give them health and strength; the water was said to have healed many sick people. This account describes traditional beliefs about healing, not a guaranteed effect of the water.

Viewpoints and routes around Englancourt

A short walk around the church and a detour to the Belvédère d’Englancourt lead to a viewpoint overlooking the green Oise Valley. The view can thus be combined with a short walk.

The route from Guise to Englancourt leads to the village, which sits on a hill; experienced cyclists are rewarded with a panoramic view. Further along the route, the Oise winds through meadows in a well-preserved bocage landscape. The area is also noted for some particularly beautiful fortified churches.

The Route Touristique de la Vallée de l’Oise serves a different purpose: it is a tourist road route with a recommended stop in Englancourt. The descriptions therefore highlight different ways to include the village in a trip—as a short walk to a viewpoint, a destination on a route for experienced cyclists, or a recommended stop on a tourist road route.

Discover more destinations: Marly-Gomont, Vervins, Coucy-Le-Château-Auffrique, La Fere, Vendhuile, Laval-En-Laonnois, Rogny, La Chapelle-Monthodon.

For the wider travel overview: Aisne.