Discover Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult

If historical connections are important when choosing where to travel, Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult offers a clear focus: the town is associated with medieval history and preserves several sites of remembrance from the world wars. These include a remnant of the surrounding wall, the British military cemetery at Albuera, a war memorial and commemorative plaques. The themes connect a medieval figure with specific local histories from the 20th century; at the same time, each memorial site has its own distinct significance.

Medieval connections and architectural traces

Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult is associated with the medieval knight Berthoult de Bauduin. He distinguished himself in 1099 during the siege of Jerusalem, fighting alongside Godfrey of Bouillon. This connection links the town’s history to a specific event in the Middle Ages. A remnant of the surrounding wall, with small towers at the corners, has also been preserved. Thus, the story of a medieval figure and an architectural trace come together in the town. The parish church is also part of local history: it was dedicated to John the Baptist.

Albuera Cemetery and the First World War

The British military cemetery at Albuera is located at La Couture in Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult and contains 237 graves from the First World War. Combat units used the cemetery from April to November 1917. After the armistice, it was expanded to accommodate graves from the battlefields around Arras. The cemetery’s history thus connects its location at La Couture with the battlefields in the Arras area.

War memorial and commemorative plaques

The Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult war memorial commemorates the conflicts of 1914–1918 and 1939–1945. It is made of Belgian granite and features a statue in Carrara marble. It was inaugurated on 9 August 1925. Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult was considered destroyed at the end of the First World War and was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 on 23 September 1920. A commemorative plaque in the former town hall records the award by the French Army order of the same date. The 1920 award and the memorial’s inauguration in 1925 refer to two separate events.

Albuera is associated with First World War graves; the war memorial commemorates two conflicts. These different focuses distinguish the history of the cemetery from that of the memorial. A plaque in the church names 94 soldiers who fought in the First World War and returned alive. Thus, alongside the remembrance of graves and wartime events, there is also a remembrance of soldiers who returned. The two plaques emphasize different things: one records an award to the town, while the other gives the specific number of soldiers who returned.

Practical information

The municipal ARTIS transport network serves Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult. The town is about eight minutes from Arras. The Café de la mairie serves as a café and sells bread. For travel planning, you can check the current ARTIS connections.

Discover more destinations: Merlimont, Bonningues-lès-Ardres, Ardres, Condette, Beugny, Gouy-Saint-André, Le Portel, Courset.

See the regional travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.