Louvignies-Quesnoy brings together a hiking trail in the Écaillon valley, a regular producers’ market and several religious buildings. Two dates in particular help with planning a stay: the Circuit de l’Écaillon takes about four hours, while the producers’ market is held in the morning on two Sundays each month. The church of Saint Éloi overlooks the valley and adds another historical dimension with its fortified tower.

Hiking and Market Day

The Circuit de l’Écaillon is an easy 11 km hike that takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. It starts at the Maison des associations in Louvignies-Quesnoy. From there, the route follows the picturesque Écaillon valley and is accessible year-round. For planning the day, the stated duration points to a continuous outing rather than a short detour. The easy rating and the duration answer different questions: one describes the level of difficulty, while the nearly four hours indicate the stated time required. Those who make the trail the focus of their stay can plan it as a longer block of time outdoors.

The Les Marchés de l’Avesnois producers’ market takes place at Place de la Mairie on the first and third Sunday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This fixed morning time slot sets a different pace from the hike: visitors who want to include the market can plan their stay for one of these Sundays. The network brings visitors together with producers of organic products, seasonal fruit and vegetables, dairy products, locally sourced meat, prepared foods and Avesnois products. The market thus combines a clearly defined visiting period with a wide culinary offering.

Saint Éloi and its architectural history

The church of Saint Éloi overlooks the valley through which the Écaillon stream flows. Its massive tower dates from 1785 and is attached to a nave dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. The same building thus features a tower with a specific date and a nave whose period spans two centuries. The tower served a defensive purpose; sandstone walls have been preserved on two sides of the building. Both its former defensive function and the surviving masonry are therefore important to understanding the architecture. The organ also has its own historical date: it was built in 1884 in a case made by the village carpenter Chérubin Vernier; the organ builder was Merklin Joseph. This date adds another detail from the 19th century to the history of the church.

Chapel and Grotto

The Chapelle N.D des Affligés is located on Route Nationale/Rue de l’Eglise and dates from 1896. The Grotte Notre Dame de Lourdes is located at Ferme de Gay and dates from 1876. Their names, locations and dates of construction give each of these two places a distinct place alongside Saint Éloi. Taken together, the religious buildings described here span the period from the tower built in 1785 to the chapel of 1896. The local heritage is therefore not limited to a single period of construction.

Plan your stay around what brings you here

There are several ways to focus your stay: the longer Circuit in the Écaillon valley, the market held on set dates, or the architectural history of Saint Éloi, the chapel and the grotto. The different time slots can help you shape the day around your chosen focus.

Discover more destinations: Beauvois-En-Cambrésis, Ramillies, Neuville-En-Ferrain, Bierne, Raismes, Arleux, Prouvy, Sémeries

See the main travel overview: Nord.