Visitors choosing Bourseville as a destination can plan their day around a distinctive cultural landscape, architectural history or one of several routes of different lengths. The Courtil represents the gardens, meadows and orchards of the Vimeu; a church dating from the early 16th century and a medieval wayside cross offer further points of interest. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the short circular trail from the longer route for walking and cycling. Nature-watching is also possible, but sightings are not guaranteed as a set part of the itinerary.

Courtil and landscape

The Courtil refers to a belt of vegetation made up of gardens, meadows and orchards, characteristic of the villages of the Vimeu. In Bourseville, the names Le tour du Courtil and Chemin du Courtil reflect this connection to the landscape. Le tour du Courtil is a 4.6 km circular trail with no elevation gain. The surviving Chemin du Courtil passes a pond, where shelducks and mallards may stop in spring. These are two distinct aspects: a circular route with a clearly stated distance and seasonal wildlife-watching that is not guaranteed. You can plan your stay around the landscape without counting on a sighting.

Church and medieval wayside cross

The Church of Notre Dame des Anges dates from the early 16th century. Its north transept is considered its most interesting part; the open timber framework is richly carved and decorated. This offers a specific architectural detail to look out for. The medieval Croix de chemin, a tufa-stone wayside cross at the roadside on the edge of Bourseville, provides a different point of interest. Its design is unique in the Somme département. By decree of 26 April 1999, it was listed as a historic monument. Together, the church and wayside cross represent different periods and forms of heritage: an intricately crafted timber framework on the one hand, and a medieval roadside marker with protected status on the other.

Choose routes by distance and destination

At 14 km, Le Camp du Roi is considerably longer than Le tour du Courtil at 4.6 km. Le Camp du Roi is a route for walking and cycling that starts and ends in Bourseville. It is not marked, so the GPX/KML track is required for navigation. Another option is the Le hâble par le chemin du Lavoir walking route, which starts in Bourseville and leads to the Hâble d’Ault. Check trail and route conditions locally before setting out.

Nature-watching and access

Near Bourseville, a section of the route at the Hâble d’Ault passes a body of water and leads to a shingle embankment. There you can observe distinctive flora, hunting huts and birds; sightings and trail conditions may vary. The Le hâble par le chemin du Lavoir walking route leads to the Hâble d’Ault, while the surviving Chemin du Courtil, with its pond and possible sightings of shelducks and mallards in spring, offers a different aspect of the landscape. The mysterious “Rond des fées” is also mentioned on a path near Bourseville; it may not always be visible.

The remaining ruins of some buildings and the foundations of radar installations are on private property and are not accessible. Do not plan to visit them as freely accessible attractions, and check access arrangements locally again.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ailly-Sur-Noye, Contre, Tours-En-Vimeu, Domléger-Longvillers, Dury, Vauchelles-Lès-Domart, Longueval, Nouvion.

Go to the main travel overview: Somme.