The Musée des Augustins brings together local history, folk traditions and painting, while churches and green spaces offer different points of interest. Hazebrouck has several distinct attractions for a cultural trip. For planning, it is especially helpful to distinguish between them: the museum brings together various collections and exhibitions, while the architectural history can be experienced in individual religious buildings. Green spaces add opportunities to take a break outdoors.
Art, Local History and Everyday Culture
The Musée des Augustins is located on the ground floor of a monastery building whose construction began in the 17th century. Its subjects range from local history and folk traditions to 19th- and 20th-century French painting and the painting of the Southern Netherlands. The museum also displays paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, including works from the circles of Van Dyck, Rubens and Teniers. This breadth combines a look at regional traditions with a variety of art-historical themes.
Other exhibition highlights include the processional giants of Hazebrouck, which can be seen in the museum all year round, and a reconstruction of a traditional Flemish kitchen with everyday objects. The collection is complemented by temporary exhibitions, with two held each year; their individual themes may vary. If you want a particular temporary exhibition to be the focus of your trip, check the current programme in advance.
Insights into Lemire’s Story
The Maison-musée de l’abbé Lemire has a different focus from the Musée des Augustins. Built in 1899 at the foot of the bell tower of Église Saint-Éloi, it presents a reconstruction of Lemire’s Paris parliamentary office, using the original furniture. Books and DVDs about Abbé Lemire round out the exhibits. The contrast between the broader collection of the Musée des Augustins and this place dedicated to one person can help you choose: here, the focus is on Lemire and the reconstruction of his office.
Religious Buildings and Their Distinctive Details
Église Saint-Éloi was built in 1432 and is considered Hazebrouck’s oldest monument. Its architecture is defined by three naves and a façade tower in the tradition of Flemish churches. It also has five wooden altars, which are classified as Monuments historiques. The Stations of the Cross are another part of the building’s art history: they were officially commissioned from Lucien Jonas in 1925. Visitors interested in architecture and specific features will find several points of interest here beyond the church’s age.
Église Notre-Dame offers a different point of reference in time: it was built in 1959 on the site of the former church. Its crypt houses surviving parts of the fittings created by Gustave Pattein; these fittings are listed in the inventory of the Monuments historiques. The Chapelle de l’ancien couvent des Capucins, meanwhile, was built in 1854 as part of the Flemish-Belgian Capuchin monastery in Hazebrouck. Together, the three sites represent different architectural and collection histories, and their individual features should not be confused.
Green Spaces for a Different Kind of Break
Inaugurated in 1929, the Jardin public offers play opportunities for children as well as shady spots for reading or family picnics. Parc Louis-Warein is different: it is a publicly accessible, semi-natural green space of more than 4,000 square metres in the centre of Hazebrouck. These details offer two specific points to consider when choosing: the Jardin public is described as having play opportunities and shade, while Parc Louis-Warein is characterised by its size and semi-natural design.
A Tour Connecting Different Themes
The “Hazebrouck au fil du temps” tour takes you through Hazebrouck’s imperial architecture, religious heritage and green spaces. Check whether the tour is available before your trip. It starts in front of the Hazebrouck tourist office.
In brief, Hazebrouck’s attractions can be distinguished by their focus: the Musée des Augustins combines art with local history and everyday culture, the Maison-musée turns the spotlight on Abbé Lemire, and the religious buildings offer specific architectural and decorative details. The green spaces complement these cultural themes with a different kind of stay. This lets you tailor your trip to your interests instead of treating all the sites as similar attractions.
Discover more destinations: Le Doulieu, Merris, Villers-Guislain, Ferrière-la-Grande, Ronchin, Eppe-Sauvage, Pont-Sur-Sambre, Crèvecœur-Sur-L'escaut.
For the broader travel overview: Nord.
