The best cycling routes around Quernes

The belfry of Aire-sur-la-Lys (in Dutch: Ariën-aan-de-Leie) is a historic, baroque belfry in the French department of Pas-de-Calais that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2005. The striking tower is attached to the town hall and dominates the skyline of the historic town.

Many centuries ago, our ancestors discovered the possibility of harnessing the power of the elements—which, on the one hand, were helpful and useful, but on the other hand, as untamed forces of nature, could also be a threat—for various purposes, thus eliminating the need for human or animal muscle power. Mills such as these are a good example of the human engineering skills of earlier generations: The heavy millstones used to grind grain or press oil, for example, could be powered by wind or—as in this case—water.

Thérouanne was Sigeric's 77th stop on his return from Canturbey's pilgrimage to Rome. In the 19th century, this fortified town was a French enclave within the German Empire, but was razed by Charles V in 1553. On the hill north of the town are the remains of one of the first cathedrals built in the Gothic style in France. The famous Great God of Thérouanne, which adorned one of the portals, is now housed in Saint-Omer Cathedral.

This is the former chapel (end of the 17th century) of the Collège Sainte-Marie. The facade is in Jesuit style. The rich decoration follows the Flemish tradition: ringed columns and pillars, broken pediments and curled, inverted consoles.

From 1859 onwards, the permanent church was built and in 1860 the tower was built. In 1865 the choir was restored and in 1866 a new sacristy was built. This church was consecrated in 1872. The stained glass windows of this church show the coats of arms of the bishops of the former diocese of Thérouanne. They were installed in 1901-1902.

Thérouanne is stop 77 of Sigeric on his return journey from Canterbury to Rome. The town is also located on the historic road between Boulogne and Arras (Chaussée Brunehaut). In the 16th century, this fortified town was a French enclave within the German Empire, but was razed to the ground by Charles V in 1553. On the hill to the north of the town lie the remains of one of the first cathedrals built in the Gothic style in France. The famous Grand dieu de Thérouanne, which once adorned one of the portals, is now in the cathedral of St-Omer.

Ligny-lès-Aire is located about 21 km northwest of Béthune and has a church, St. Pierre, dating from the sixteenth century and an old windmill.

Enquin was located on the western edge of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais coal basin, which was mined on a large scale in the 19th century and around 1850 coal was also being sought in Enquin. Initially, the mine had a good yield. The mining company built a town with miners' houses between Enquin and Fléchinelle. In 1905, the name of the municipality was changed from Enquin to Enquin-les-Mines, referring to the mining. However, the mine suffered somewhat from poorer access and less large coal and ultimately proved to be unprofitable. The mine closed definitively in 1928.