Cantaing-sur-escaut, Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais

The Hundred Days Offensive (August-November 1918). From August 1918 onwards, a rapid series of Allied victories eventually led to the Armistice: this was the Hundred Days Offensive. For some British soldiers it meant a return to Mons, to the very place where the war had begun for them.

The Battle of Cambrai (20th november to 7th december 1917). The Battle of Cambrai was the first offensive in history involving the mass use of tanks, which left behind traces in the region’s subsoil. Folk here say that there are tanks buried in the earth. One man believed this “rural legend” and decided to investigate.

The gîte, L'Air Pur, sleeps between 2 and 4 people and welcomes you to the heart of the Parc Naturel des Hauts Pays. The gîte is the barn belonging to a former farmhouse, with a sofabed in the living room, a dining room that seats 6 people, a kitchen with a freezer, a woodburner, a bathroom with a separate WC and a bedroom. It also has a television and Wi-Fi. Outside, you can enjoy the terrace with an orchard, outdoor games, a barbecue and a ping-pong table. This lovely gîte is the prefect base from which to explore the colours and the flavours of the Haut-Pays. Lounge/dining r. (TV/antenna, sofa-bed 1x2 p., wood stove), kitchen (ceramic hobs, multifunctional oven), 1 bedr. (2x1 p., child's cot), bathr. (bathtub), sep. WC. Boxr. Landlord's washing machine available.Cradle and baby gear available on demand. Charges included.

The gîte, Les Coquelicots, sleeps between 6 and 8 people and welcomes you to the heart of the Parc Naturel des Hauts Pays. The gîte boasts every modern convenience you could need on two floors. On the first floor there is a kitchen fitted with everything you might want, a bathroom, a sauna, a large reception area with a dining room and a double bedroom. On the second floor there are 2 double bedrooms as well as a second bathroom with a separate WC and a relaxation area with tourist information and books. If you fancy relaxing a bit, you can enjoy the terrace in the stunning garden, filled with flowers. A ping-pong table, bikes and kids’ games are also available. Jeanne and Benoît De Bisschop, the owners, look forward to welcoming you in their gîte on this farm in Audregnies. It’s in the centre of this picturesque village with very old roots that you will find their family-run farm, which grows all the main crops. Based in the Parc Naturel des Hauts-Pays, the gîte is the perfect base for all sorts of activities. If you’re interested in culture, history, fine food or folklore, the gîte is just under 30 kilometres from Mons and all of its rich heritage. If you’re into nature there’s plenty to do around here. Nestled in a lush green setting with enchanting valleys, meadows and fields with woodland bathed in a rainbow of seasonal colours, the region invites you to enjoy all of the beauty of untouched nature. The owners are delighted for you to explore their garden with its plants, vegetables and fruit trees grown naturally, as well as the local heritage, with a guided walk of the village and the surrounding area. Plus there are lots of local activities in the lovely country setting. The owners would be more than happy to tell you all about their work on the farm through the seasons. In the fields and woods, you can discover the natural riches of our region. There are also plenty of walking maps and information about local heritage, crafts food and drink for you to browse.

In Péruwelz between the cities of Mons and Tournai, the Saint-Daniel Hotel was opened in 2013. It is located in the peace and quiet, in the immediate vicinity of the station (±150m) and just a few minutes from the downtown area. Converted from a former seed trade establishment, the hotel offers warrm, contemporary and comfortable rooms. For relaxation, a private recreation area is envisaged as well as the reception’s bar.

Discover one of Lille's highlights on a walking audioguided tour by the belfry of Lille's City Hall, and climb on top of its 104-metre-high tower to enjoy a breathtaking view of Lille! Visit the belfry of Lille's City Hall on this audioguided tour! This visit will grant you the opportunity to find out about this 104-metre-high UNESCO World Heritage Site towering over Lille, whose construction ended in 1931. You will be equipped with a pair of binoculars and an audioguide, and enjoy an ideal viewpoint to look at the city and its surroundings. Choose this guided tour to discover the belfry of Lille's City Hall and tower over the city to enjoy a breathtaking scenic view!

The Centre de la Tapisserie, des Arts Muraux et des Arts du Tissu (Centre for Tapestry, Mural Arts and Textile Arts) is one of the five contemporary centres established by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in the field of textile art. The fact that it is established in Tournai is not insignificant, as the “capital” of Wallonie picarde was one of the country’s main centres of tapestry production in the 15th and 16th centuries. The TAMAT is housed in a beautiful mansion in neo-classicist style, the Museum of Tapestry of the City of Tournai.The collections of the TAMAT are an accurate reflection of the diversity of textile art. More than 250 items from 6 centuries of textile production are exhibited, from old 15th-century tapestries – remarkable heritage of the City of Tournai - over items from the post-war movement “Forces Murales” to contemporary works.The TAMAT also houses research workshops. Every year scholarship holders come here to work in total artistic freedom. A documentation and study centre welcomes researchers, students, teachers and the general public within the context of historical or biographical studies. Moreover, a conservation and restoration workshop, open to the public, enables visitors to gain an insight into the painstakingly slow and meticulous work done by the restorers, who will gladly answer any and all questions.

Located in the historical centre of the Town of Tournai, Hôtel Peeters houses an atypical museum which is devoted to puppetry arts in all their forms. The Puppet Centre will take you on a voyage of discovery, during which the Centre's hidden treasures will be revealed to you – treasures from the four corners of the earth. This trip around the world will thus take you in the footsteps of the most popular figures in European puppet theatre, known by the young and the not-so-young alike, but also in the footsteps of the typical characters and techniques found in the puppetry traditions of various African and Asian countries. Apart from the heritage items stored in the museum, the Puppet Centre offering for visitors also consists not only of various temporary exhibitions, educational events (upon request), creative workshops, but also many shows, training sessions and courses for children and adults. NEW! An unaccompanied tour for families entitled "Jack s'est fait la malle" – the puppet called Jack has disappeared! The only evidence of where he has been are the selfies that he has hidden, here and there, in the museum's rooms. We need you to help him to get back to his designated place amongst the other puppets! During your investigation, you will have to solve riddles, experiment with various puppet handling techniques, observe the puppets in detail, imitate their expressions, touch the material they are made of, and so forth. Available every day the museum is open. We prefer that you book in advance (by calling us on +32 (0)69 889 140 or by emailing us at maisondelamarionnette@skynet.be).

Water is at the heart of Écourt-Saint-Quentin. The commune is literally surrounded by the marshes of Saudemont, Becquerel and Grand Clair. Hiking and cycling trails invite nature lovers to get away from it all! Are you ready for a complete change of scenery? The town's heritage preserves traces of Écourt's rich past, including its beautiful porch farms and curiosities such as the Merovingian tomb on display in the recently renovated church.

Just 20 minutes east of Arras, Saudemont is renowned for its waterside nature and its eponymous angels. The "Angels of Saudemont", polychrome wooden sculptures from the Middle Ages, are now housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Arras. Copies have been placed in the chapel of Christ, where they once stood. In addition to this history, Saudemont is home to the only church in the area whose 12th-century Cluniac-style bell tower survived the ravages of the First World War. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1928.

Palluel's main asset is the natural wealth that surrounds it. The lush green setting of its pond is an invitation to relax. Explore the narrow streets of the village and look for the boundary stones scattered around the foot of some of the buildings that once demarcated the village. Enter the cemetery to admire this 17th-century sandstone cross, the pride of the village. For a complete break from it all, Ecoland is a restaurant with a panoramic terrace overlooking the lake, and offers a wide choice of eco-friendly accommodation.

This village in the heart of Osartis-Marquion and close to the Sensée valley is a little paradise of nature. An Art Deco church, a pretty village centre, a beautiful equestrian farm, La Ferme de l'Abbaye, which houses guest rooms for a green and friendly getaway: Dury is a real country holiday village.

Located in the south of the Artois region, the village of Bullecourt is probably better known in Australia than in France! The site of the Battles of Arras in the spring of 1917, this village was classified as a red zone after the First World War, and can be explored on a tour of the countryside and memorial sites. You'll be impressed by its rural heritage from the Reconstruction period: artesian farms, the town hall with its characteristic pediment and the church with its sandstone bell tower and porch.

In the heart of the Val de la Sensée, this leafy village is a hiker's delight, with its trails and geocaching. The village castle has been converted into a gîte and guest rooms, ranked by Figaro Magazine as one of the 150 most beautiful in France: Clos Barthélemy is a must-see address in the Artois region.

With its gently sloping watering hole, and the trees flowing into it, Haucourt is like stepping into a Corot painting. The village owes its fame to the majestic Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, but it is also a living witness to the Art Deco style of Reconstruction, as seen in the church of Saint-Michel, the town hall and the former Lourdeaux café at the entrance to the village.

Palluel's main asset is the natural wealth that surrounds it. The lush green setting of its pond is an invitation to relax. Explore the narrow streets of the village and look for the boundary stones scattered around the foot of some of the buildings that once demarcated the village. Enter the cemetery to admire this 17th-century sandstone cross, the pride of the village. For a complete break from it all, Ecoland is a restaurant with a panoramic terrace overlooking the lake, and offers a wide choice of eco-friendly accommodation.

A church with remarkable stained glass windows, a mummy, chapels and an attractive Art Deco and natural heritage: the village of Croisilles has a lot going for it. Its residents are particularly committed to the project, and are currently setting up a Maison des habitants to provide a warm welcome for future visitors.

Café, bar. For more information, visit Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/auqgdelapevele/?locale=fr_FR Contact : 06 10 26 27 65

Le Hameau de la Becque is a pretty farmhouse with meeting and function rooms, a gourmet restaurant "L'Âme au vert" with its tasting cellar, a vegetable garden and a craft brewery "Les Barbes Blanches" where the beer is brewed directly on site. For more information, visit Website : https://hameaudelabecque.com/ Contact : 03 20 32 00 41

Located in Château de Roisin, the Les Tourelles restaurant offers regional cuisine in a romantic setting. Housed in the castle’s outbuildings, this charming place will accommodate your banquets and retreats or meals with loved ones or friends. You’ll be welcomed by Philippe Maire and his team, including Michel Dubeaumont at the furnace, who spoil those who like to eat well. Jugged hare and hare fillet, noisette of venison, minced pheasant, roast wild boar, Roisin lamb (family bred), local produce (snails and cheese) are often on the menu. A paved courtyard, terrace, lawns and large car park make for a unique, harmonious whole in a warm atmosphere of times gone by. Bar open on Thursday afternoon for visits and estimates.

A small-scale restaurant, which specialises in creative cuisine which employs local ingredients, and mainly serves pizzas and pasta. Always on the look-out for authentic tastes, “Pizza Maison” has chosen to provide its customers with high-quality food in a family setting and also with friendly and professional service. Cutting-edge technologies and equipment in the sector are employed here, in order to make life easier for its staff. Now the challenges facing “Pizza Maison” are to host more customers and to provide the latter with an additional purchasing service, thus giving them the opportunity to choose a product which is different in terms of quality. Special “pasta festival” offer, all you can eat pizza, accompanied by three drinks, dessert and coffee.

Emmanuel and his chef present their new menu, full of flavour and authenticity, offering quality cuisine and carefully prepared dishes based on carefully selected fresh local produce. For further information, visit Website: https://lesabotvert.fr/index.php/reservations/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesabotvert/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_sabot_vert__restaurant/ Contact: 03 59 51 79 81

Café, brasserie. For more information, visit Contact : 03 20 62 03 40

Nestling near the border with France, L'Estaminet is a friendly establishment which above all wants to make sure that its customers have a good time, whether that be by having a drink or by having something to eat. Indeed, there is something for all tastes here – if you are going through Quiévrain, they will be able to serve you a beer from the Dubuisson abbey, every day from Monday to Friday in the morning, and also on the traditional market day. But you can also peruse their menu, where it will be impossible to not find something that takes your fancy. From starters to dessert, there is bound to be something you will thoroughly enjoy. Grilled food, small stewed dishes, mussels when they are in season and fish will thrill your taste buds, at lunchtime and in the evening.

The "L'Air Pur" holiday cottage, with a capacity of two to four people, enables you to stay right in the heart of the Hauts Pays Nature Park. The holiday cottage, which is located in the former barn of a small former farmhouse, has a sitting room with a sofa bed, a dining room which accommodates six people, a kitchen with a freezer, a wood-burning fireplace, a bathroom with a separate toilet and a bedroom. It is also equipped with television and WiFi. Outside, you can enjoy a terrace with an orchard, outdoor games, a barbecue and a table tennis table. This charming holiday cottage is the perfect base for discovering the colours and flavours of Haut Pays.

The gîte, L'Air Pur, sleeps between 2 and 4 people and welcomes you to the heart of the Parc Naturel des Hauts Pays. The gîte is the barn belonging to a former farmhouse, with a sofabed in the living room, a dining room that seats 6 people, a kitchen with a freezer, a woodburner, a bathroom with a separate WC and a bedroom. It also has a television and Wi-Fi. Outside, you can enjoy the terrace with an orchard, outdoor games, a barbecue and a ping-pong table. This lovely gîte is the prefect base from which to explore the colours and the flavours of the Haut-Pays. Lounge/dining r. (TV/antenna, sofa-bed 1x2 p., wood stove), kitchen (ceramic hobs, multifunctional oven), 1 bedr. (2x1 p., child's cot), bathr. (bathtub), sep. WC. Boxr. Landlord's washing machine available.Cradle and baby gear available on demand. Charges included.

The campsite is located in the Hauts-Pays Nature Park, about 7.5 miles from the French border and close to the motorway. It is a green and peaceful family place, and yet it is close to the centre of Roisin. The site is surrounded by three fishing ponds, two restaurants, a banquet hall - “Les Tourelles” - as well as the ponds' chalet.