Avesnois: A Region of Many Treasures
You may already have read this in our previous posts on social media: every day spent scouting a new region is a real pleasure.
This time, we invite you to discover Avesnois, a region where travelling by bike takes on its full meaning.
Exploring Avesnois by Bike
The bicycle, a symbol of adventure and freedom, is the perfect companion for exploring the hidden treasures of Avesnois.
This region, located in the heart of Hauts-de-France, offers a unique travel experience through beautiful, pastoral landscapes.
Imagine yourself cycling through the stunning hedgerow countryside of Avesnois — a place where nature reigns supreme, and lush green meadows stretch as far as the eye can see.
This is where your cycling adventure begins.
A Rolling Landscape
Avesnois lies between the plains of Hainaut and the hills of the Ardennes. You should therefore expect a rolling landscape, which can be challenging at times for cycle tourists.
The small village of Anor, at the southern tip of the département, is in fact the highest point in the Nord département — reaching 271 metres in altitude!
In this area, you will encounter plenty of gentle inclines, some good climbs, and also rewarding descents along country roads and tracks.
For less experienced riders, an electric bike will certainly be more suitable than a regular bike for tackling this type of terrain.
A Well-Preserved Heritage
Avesnois is full of remarkable sites. In Maubeuge and Le Quesnoy, the beautifully preserved ramparts offer an ideal setting for a scenic walk.
Along the rivers that flow through Avesnois, you will also discover many old watermills, some of which date back several centuries. For example, in Maroilles or Grand-Fayt on the Helpe Mineure, in Orsinval and Villers-Pol on the Rhonelle, and in Liessies on the Helpe Majeure.
In the 18th century, Avesnois had as many as 159 watermills!
Another regional curiosity is the dancing kiosks. Around thirty of these small bandstands still stand in village squares today. These raised structures were used by musicians, who would climb up via a ladder to play music and get the villagers dancing.
In Trélon and Sars-Poteries, the spotlight is on glassmaking. Two very different museums invite you to discover the art and history of local glassmakers.
The tradition of placing glass finials on rooftops, which has made a comeback since the early 2000s, also adds a charming touch to the region.
To fully appreciate all these local gems, slow tourism is without doubt one of the most enjoyable and fitting ways to travel here.
Varied Landscapes
To truly describe Avesnois, one must also mention its landscapes.
Cycling through Avesnois means discovering charming villages and their beautifully maintained old stone buildings.
You will also ride through the characteristic bocage countryside — which is somewhat reminiscent of Normandy or parts of Brittany.
This green landscape, crisscrossed by small streams and bordered by hedgerows, boasts an impressive diversity of plant and animal life.
Further west, you cannot help but be impressed by the magnificent Forêt de Mormal, with its 10,000 hectares of woodland.
Located within the Avesnois Regional Nature Park, this vast forest is one of the green lungs of the Nord département.