Attractions and Places To See around Auby - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Auby include historical sites and natural features within the Nord-Pas-de-Calais mining basin. This town in Hauts-de-France, located about 30 km from Lille, showcases its industrial heritage. Auby features a navigable canal and significant natural spaces like Terril N°140, a slag heap part of a UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone. The area offers a blend of cultural heritage and accessible outdoor environments.
Best attractions and places to see around Auby
- The most popular attractions…
Last updated: June 22, 2026
The Two Humps – Phalempin Forest Singletrack
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Talus (or Thélus) of Thumeries
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Mons-en-Pévèle cobbles
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Witches' Singletrack
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Terril de Drocourt
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Tips from the Community
Mons and Pevele accelerate 170 km 30 lanes
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Really a strip where you can't cheat... First part goes down a bit so you can pick up some speed to get through. Cobblestones are in really bad condition and with the stacking of the strips this is really one that can break your neck...
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@paulnijhof it's a bit of a shame that you copy my texts and photos from my blog.
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This section is nog easy. The cobbles just seam to hate you. You will hate them too. Good luck and please be careful here.
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Excellent single that takes you into the forest. In wet weather it is better to be well equipped with tires on a mountain bike or gravel.
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A three kilometer long legendary cobblestone section. There is only one solution to survive the strip: drive hard over the bump and slow down only on the two corners!
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Mons en Pévèle 3000 meters - five stars Since 1955, this name has made many a cyclist sweat. The section has been modified several times, but the difficulty of the current section still fits the legendary name. Mons en Pévèle is a village on a hill over a hundred meters high in the Pays de Pévèle. My knowledge of Dutch history isn't very good, but I believe Pevelenberg belonged to the Southern Netherlands in the Middle Ages. I certainly don't want to argue about it, because that happened far too often in this region. The Battle of Pevelenberg (1304) is particularly well-known, and historians still disagree about who actually won. Since then, this region has seen almost every war fought. Fortunately, these days, battles are only fought on bicycles. In the first years the race visited Mons and Pévèle, it was accessed via the climb of Le Caouin. A tough, steeply rising cobblestone section. However, the milkman in Mons and Pévèle was tired of constantly arriving with butter instead of milk. So Le Caouin was paved. The race diverted to the other side of the mountain and climbed the village via the Pas Roland. But even this route to the summit could not escape the asphalt paver. Fortunately, in the Pévèle region, there are many, many kilometers of cobblestones between the fields. Just below the hill, there is now a Z-shaped cobblestone section that is one of the toughest in the race. The cobblestones are poor to very poor, and much of it is a nasty, false flat. This, combined with the almost constant wind, makes it a very tough section. The section has been part of the course since 1978 and has only been left empty once since then. Only the first section has been used a few times, and in 2008 the very poor sections were restored. The Mons and Pévèle section usually causes a fair number of riders to fall overboard. By then, the race has passed the 200 mark, and the men aiming for victory will be giving it a good beating. For the less fortunate, this stage of the race is usually a lesson in humility. Immediately after the section comes a false flat. A trifle for a trained professional, but at this stage of the race, everything counts. This is where the clash of arms begins, but it's still fifty kilometers to Roubaix, with another 15 kilometers of mostly very poor cobblestones along the way. If it's rained, this is a section where the devil holds court. The last 1500 meters, in particular, are a nearly impossible task—despite the restoration. The potholes along the side of the road are filled with puddles, and you can't tell how deep they are. Only the brave dare to come off the back of the road to overtake others. If you're further than 20th in a rain edition, this is the moment you lose the race. During the race, this stretch attracts a large crowd.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore in Auby?
Auby offers a rich history with several notable landmarks. You can visit the Old Town Hall, a 19th-century neo-classical building, and the Bandstand, erected at the beginning of the 20th century on the remnants of the old Château park. The 18th-century Château of Auby, now a community center with public gardens, is also worth seeing. Additionally, the town has remnants of an 18th-century Old Grain Mill.
Are there any UNESCO World Heritage sites in or near Auby?
Yes, Auby is part of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais mining basin, recognized by UNESCO. Within Auby, the Cité de la Justice nouvelle son dispensaire and the Cité-jardin du Moulin, both former mining estates from the 1930s, are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. These sites showcase unique garden city architecture. Nearby, Douai's impressive belfry is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What natural features can I discover around Auby?
Auby features a navigable canal that contributes to its remarkable countryside, including wooded areas. A significant natural feature is Terril N°140, a slag heap located near the Étang du Paradis (Paradise Pond). This terril is part of the UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone and represents the region's industrial past transformed into a unique landscape.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near Auby?
The area around Auby is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can explore trails like Witches' Singletrack, known as one of the most beautiful singletracks in the sector, or The Two Humps – Phalempin Forest Singletrack, which offers magnificent landscapes along the Thumeries golf course. For cycling enthusiasts, the legendary Mons-en-Pévèle cobbles provide a challenging experience. You can find more routes for gravel biking, road cycling, and mountain biking in our dedicated guides, such as Gravel biking around Auby, Road Cycling Routes around Auby, and MTB Trails around Auby.
Are there any family-friendly attractions or activities in Auby?
While specific family-focused attractions are not highlighted, the public park and gardens of the Château of Auby offer a pleasant space for families to relax and explore. The navigable canal and wooded areas also provide opportunities for gentle walks and enjoying nature. For more active families, some of the easier trails mentioned in the outdoor activities section could be suitable.
What are the best trails for mountain biking or hiking near Auby?
For mountain biking and hiking, consider Witches' Singletrack, praised as one of the most beautiful singletracks in the area, and The Two Humps – Phalempin Forest Singletrack, which offers a pleasant experience along the Thumeries golf course. For a more challenging ride, the Mons-en-Pévèle cobbles are a legendary 3 km section. You can find more detailed routes in our MTB Trails around Auby guide.
What is the best time to visit Auby attractions?
The best time to visit Auby and its outdoor attractions is generally during the spring, summer, and early autumn months (April to October) when the weather is milder and more conducive to exploring historical sites, parks, and trails. This allows for comfortable walks and cycling, and the gardens are in full bloom.
Are there any religious buildings of note in Auby?
Auby's cultural heritage includes several religious buildings. You can find the Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation Church, built in the 1960s, and the Church of the cities of pit 6 of the Escarpelle mines, which reflects the town's mining history. Other visible structures include the 19th-century Saint-Joseph Chapel and the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel.
What is there to do in the nearby town of Douai?
Auby is conveniently located only 5 km from Douai, which offers a pleasant old town and one of France's most impressive belfries. Douai's belfry is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a significant historical and architectural attraction. You can find more information about Douai's UNESCO sites at visit-douai.co.uk.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Auby?
Visitors particularly appreciate the blend of industrial heritage and natural beauty. The trails, like The Two Humps – Phalempin Forest Singletrack, are noted for their magnificent landscapes. The challenging nature of routes like the Mons-en-Pévèle cobbles is also a highlight for many cyclists. The historical sites and the unique transformed landscapes of the slag heaps offer a distinctive experience.
Are there any markets in Auby?
Yes, Auby hosts a weekly market every Wednesday. This is a great opportunity to experience local life and find fresh produce or regional specialties.
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