Hangest-En-Santerre brings together several clearly defined themes for a stay: the rebuilding history of the Église Saint-Martin, the war memorial, Balle à la main and three routes with different planning details. The sights and routes offer various ways to shape your stay around your cultural interests and desired distance.
Église Saint-Martin: reconstruction and architectural design
The Église Saint-Martin was rebuilt between 1927 and 1931 on the site of a medieval church that had been partially damaged during the First World War. Its history therefore encompasses both a medieval predecessor and reconstruction following the war damage.
The design is Romanesque-Byzantine. The central floor plan is shaped like a Greek cross; a dome rests on pendentives and is complemented by a bell tower. The terms refer to different architectural elements: the Greek cross describes the floor plan, while the pendentives support the dome.
A visit is possible by prior arrangement with the mairie, so please arrange your visit in advance.
War memorial: two periods of war, one sculpture
The Hangest-En-Santerre war memorial commemorates the wars of 1914–1918 and 1939–1945. It was erected in 1923 from Lavoux stone. A sculpted group is located at the front; the names of the fallen are inscribed on the back. The group “Veuve et orphelin” (Widow and Orphan) depicts a war widow presenting her son with the helmet of the deceased. The child decorates the helmet with a laurel branch. The names on the back and the figurative depiction at the front offer two different expressions of remembrance.
Balle à la main: a local sporting tradition
Balle à la main de Hangest-En-Santerre is considered the most direct legacy of the Jeu de paume played in the Middle Ages. The game is played with bare hands on a court 65 metres long and 12 metres wide. The surface is made of clay, compacted chalk or asphalt. The court is just over five times as long as it is wide. Its historical connection to Jeu de paume places the sporting tradition in context; the dimensions and surface describe the specific form of the game.
Walking routes and choosing a distance
Le Chemin de Fresnoy is an easy 6.4 km circular hiking trail starting at 23 rue du Quesnel in Hangest-En-Santerre. The elevation profile shows 22 metres of positive elevation gain and an altitude ranging from 99 to 108 metres. The Balade Santé is 3.4 km long, making it the shorter of the two walking routes. Le Chemin de Fresnoy also provides a designated difficulty level and elevation-profile details. Check the route of both walking trails locally before setting out.
The Circuit des 3 Doms (Boucle A) runs along the D54 through Hangest-En-Santerre. If you plan to travel it, check the route conditions in advance.
Discover more destinations: Nibas, L'étoile, Forest-L'abbaye, Saigneville, Huchenneville, Boufflers, Woincourt, Albert.
For the main travel overview: Somme.
