The best walks and hikes around Eswars

Beautiful traffic-free footpath along the Scheldt. Depending on the light, the buildings on the other side reflect beautifully in the water. The row of trees along the roadway, but above the footpath, also creates atmosphere.

The Canalised Scheldt is a section of the River Escaut that was developed to facilitate navigation and river transport. This canalised section extends for approximately 63 km, from Cambrai to Mortagne-du-Nord, on the French-Belgian border. The canalisation of the Scheldt began between Cambrai and Bruay-sur-l'Escaut between 1772 and 1784. The Canal de l'Escaut connects to the Canal de Saint-Quentin in Cambrai, which allows a continuous river link to the Paris Basin via the Seine. This infrastructure played a crucial role in the economic development of the region, facilitating the transport of goods and supporting the industrialisation of the towns along its route. Today, the Canalised Scheldt continues to be used for both commercial transport and recreational activities, contributing to the local economy and tourism.

The Écluse de Cantimpré in Cambrai is a historic lock that played an important role in the development of the region's waterways. It was built in 1900 as part of the modernisation of the regional waterway network, as required by the Charles Freycinet law in 1879. The lock is equipped with two lock chambers, each 38 metres long and 5 metres wide, making it accessible to Flemish peniches and facilitating shipping. The lock is located at the junction of the canalised Scheldt and the Saint-Quentin Canal, and was part of the important port of Cantimpré, which was built in 1862. Today, the port of Cantimpré is mainly a pleasure port, but in the past it was a busy trading post with more than a hundred ships passing through every day.

The Écluse de Selles in Cambrai is a historic lock located on the Scheldt River. This lock dates back to the 18th century and is one of many locks in the region that were built to manage the waterways and facilitate navigation. The lock is located near the Château de Selles, a medieval castle originally built in the 13th century and later modified and expanded. The castle and lock are important historical monuments in Cambrai and attract many visitors interested in the history and heritage of the region.

The former abbey church and the guest house, which has housed the Post Office since 1905, belonged to the Abbey of the Holy Sepulchre, founded in the 11th century. Between 1696 and 1702, under the episcopate of Fénelon, the whole was rebuilt in the classical style advocated by Louis XIV. The sobriety of the decor contrasts with the exuberant baroque façade of the Jesuit chapel opposite. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was designated as the new cathedral by Bishop Louis Belmas in 1804 after the destruction of the Gothic cathedral during the Revolution. (City of Cambrai)

Built in 1623, the Notre-Dame gate marks the northern entrance to the city. At that time, city gates, protected by bastions, freed themselves from their defensive role and became symbols of the wealth of cities. With its “diamond point” hardware and its rich sculpted decoration, the Notre-Dame gate is representative of the Baroque style. The sun that adorns the upper part was added after the capture of Cambrai by Louis XIV. https://www.villedecambrai.com/decouvrir/decouvrir-la-ville/portrait-de-ville/patrimoine-et-architecture/heurs-et-malheurs-dune-ville-frontiere/la-porte-notre-dame

The Tour Saint-Fiacre, also known as the Tour des Sottes, is a historic tower in Cambrai. The tower is part of the old city walls of Cambrai and was built in the 14th century. The name "Tour des Sottes" comes from a nearby women's asylum in the 19th century. The tower has retained its Cambrésis stone structure up to the foot of the terrace, while the sandstone base is now buried.

The Porte de Paris in Cambrai is a historic city gate built in the 14th century as part of the city's defensive wall. The gate is known for its Gothic architecture and has a strategic location at the southern entrance to the city. The gate was originally known as the Porte du Saint-Sépulcre.