Woignarue: Hâble d’Ault and the Coastal Landscape

Woignarue has access to the sea and encompasses a variety of geographical features: the chalk plateau in the village centre, the coastal landscape around the Hâble d’Ault and the wetlands of the Bas-Champs. When planning a stay, you can therefore get a sense of the municipality not only through its village centre, but also through its landscape and the routes in the surrounding area.

Coastal Location and Landscape

The village centre lies in the eastern part of the municipality on a chalk plateau. Onival, the seaside resort, is located mostly in Ault and partly in the neighbouring municipality of Woignarue. The name Onival therefore refers to a seaside resort that straddles the municipal boundary. West of the village, the eroded former cliff, known in French as a “falaise morte”, gives way to the Bas-Champs. The alluvial soils are separated from the English Channel by a broad natural pebble ridge. Thus, the higher plateau and the lower coastal areas represent distinct landscape features within the municipality.

Wetlands and Nature at the Hâble d’Ault

The Hâble d’Ault marks the end of the cliffs and the mouth of the Baie de Somme. The wetlands of the Bas-Champs, also known as the Hâble d’Ault, lie below sea level and are separated from the sea by an 80-metre-wide pebble ridge. Their low elevation and the ridge are among the defining geographical features of this coastal area.

The Hâble d’Ault is home to a protected nature reserve where more than 270 species have been recorded. The number of species may change as a result of future surveys. For nature enthusiasts, the area offers a specific opportunity to explore the wetlands and their biodiversity. A more winding and considerably more pleasant return route, with several observation points, is also signposted at the Hâble d’Ault.

Circular Routes Through the Surrounding Area

The Le Camp du Roi circular route passes through the plains of Picardy and typical villages of the Vimeu. On its section in Woignarue, the route runs from the Église de Woignarue towards the stadium and then turns right. The Vanneau cycling loop also starts in Woignarue and heads towards the Baie de Somme. The two routes therefore differ in how they are travelled and in the landscapes described: Le Camp du Roi focuses on plains and villages, while the Vanneau heads towards the bay.

Check the latest route description before setting out, as routes and waymarkers may change. This will help you take account of the directions relevant to your planned trip without treating the circular routes as the same.

Church and Architecture

The Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine adds a local architectural detail to the landscape and route perspectives. Its choir is designed in the Flamboyant Gothic style and rises above the lower nave. A stained-glass window created by Saint Valery depicts Saint Blimond. The choir’s design and the window are two distinct details that define the building’s architecture and art.

Discover more destinations: Roye, Boufflers, Franleu, Fransu, Longavesnes, Mailly-Maillet, Vironchaux, Yaucourt-Bussus.

For the broader travel overview: Somme.