What to do in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux?

---

The city's landmark monument is the 82-meter-high Baroque-style abbey tower, built between 1626 and 1640 on the Grand'Place. Its carillon has 48 bells, according to the Porte du Hainaut tourist office. This is the last remaining vestige of a Benedictine abbey, listed as a historical monument.

What to see in the abbey tower museum?

The museum displays religious art sculptures from the 16th to the 18th centuries and a collection of Saint-Amand-les-Incontournables earthenware, according to the guide of the Nord Department. Check the opening hours with the tourist office before you come.

What do the Saint-Amand-les-Eaux thermal baths offer?

The Saint-Amand-les-Eaux thermal baths are the only spa resort north of Paris, specializing in rheumatology and respiratory ailments. Their water, renowned since Roman times, supplied the first thermal baths built by Vauban in the 17th century. The spa also offers balneotherapy, hydrotherapy, and facial and body treatments.

What else is there to do in Saint-Amand?

The Pasino, a casino belonging to the Partouche group, combines gaming rooms and a restaurant. On Sundays, from May to September, the Scarpe Valley steam tourist train departs from the town, according to the Nord Department.

How to get to Saint-Amand-les-Eaux from Valenciennes?

By train, with the TER C60 line, which connects the Saint-Amand-les-Eaux station to Valenciennes. By car, it's the most flexible way to combine the city, the thermal baths, and the forest. Nabil's tip: Go up to see the abbey tower in the morning, then have lunch on the Grand'Place before heading out for a walk in the forest in the afternoon. It's a full day, and you'll be back in Valenciennes for dinner.

Where to walk in the Raismes-Saint-Amand-Wallers forest?

---

The Raismes-Saint-Amand-Wallers state forest covers more than 4,000 hectares, with hiking trails, mountain biking circuits, and picnic areas, according to the Nord Department. It is part of the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park.

What is the Mare à Goriaux?

It is a 90-hectare body of water created by a mining subsidence, at the foot of a slag heap.

It is home to some 300 bird species and has been a state-owned biological reserve since 1982, protected by the National Forestry Office, according to the tourist office.

What is the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park?

Created in September 1968, it is the oldest of the French regional natural parks.

It encompasses 57 municipalities, and the Scarpe and Escaut valleys have been a Ramsar site since 2020, according to the Park's website.

What to see in Arenberg?

The Arenberg pit, in Wallers, was built between 1900 and 1902 by the Anzin Mining Company and closed in 1989. Claude Berri filmed Germinal there. It is part of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. Tours with former miners are offered by the tourist office.

What is the Arenberg Trench?

It is a 2,300-meter cobbled section in the heart of the Wallers Forest, incorporated into the Paris-Roubaix route in 1968 and awarded a five-star rating by the Hauts-de-France Region.

A concrete example A day in nature departing from the hotel. In the morning, the Mare à Goriaux and its slag heap. At midday, a picnic in the forest. In the afternoon, the Arenberg pit and the paved trench, then return to Valenciennes for dinner at Espace Gourmand.

What to see in Le Quesnoy?

---

Le Quesnoy is a fortified town, whose castle and ramparts date back to 1150. Becoming French through the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, it was redesigned by Vauban starting in 1668. A 12-kilometer circuit circles the fortifications, which are listed as a historical monument, according to Hauts-de-France Tourism.

Why is Le Quesnoy linked to New Zealand?

On November 4, 1918, New Zealand soldiers liberated the town by scaling the ramparts with ladders, as recalled by the New Zealand Ministry of Culture. This link remains very strong today.

What to visit at the New Zealand Liberation Museum in Le Quesnoy?

The New Zealand Liberation Museum Te Arawhata, 18 rue Achille Carlier, tells this story. Te Arawhata means "the ladder". It is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:30 am to 6 pm, and adult admission costs €15.

How to get to Le Quesnoy from Valenciennes?

By train, with the TER P60 line which connects Le Quesnoy station to Valenciennes. The Mormal Country Tourist Office is located at 1 rue du Maréchal Joffre, and can be reached at +33 3 27 20 54 70.

And what about the Jenlain brewery?

On the road to Le Quesnoy, the Duyck brewery in Jenlain has been family-owned and independent since 1922. Its beers have been sold under the Jenlain brand since 1968, and tours are available by reservation at +33 3 27 49 70 03, according to the Avesnois Tourist Office.

Nabil's tip: For Le Quesnoy, combine a tour of the ramparts in the morning with a visit to the museum. The afternoon. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays: save that day for the weekend.

Why choose a hotel in the centre of Valenciennes?

---

At the Clémenceau Hotel, you're just 2 minutes from the train station and a short walk from the Place d'Armes. In the evening, you can enjoy the restaurants and shops of the city center on foot. To plan your visits, the Valenciennes Tourist Office is located at the Mont de Piété, 12 Place Verte, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Which room should you choose for your stay? For couples, the double room, ranging from 16 to 22 m², has a 140 or 160 cm bed. Whether with family or friends, the 30 m² apartment opposite the hotel accommodates up to 4 people and features a fully equipped kitchen: perfect for preparing picnics in the forest.

And what about meals?

Breakfast is served at the table from 7:00 am to 10:30 am for €10 per person. The Gourmet Area offers homemade cuisine until midnight for hotel guests, ideal after a day of sightseeing.

Do you need a car?

For Saint-Amand and Le Quesnoy, the train is sufficient.

For the forest, the Mare à Goriaux, or Arenberg, a car is more convenient. The hotel offers secure parking for €10 per night (reservations required) and bicycle storage for €5 per night.

A concrete example of a three-day stay: Day 1: Valenciennes and the Place d'Armes. Day 2: Saint-Amand-les-Eaux in the morning and the forest in the afternoon. Day 3: Le Quesnoy and its ramparts, with a stop in Jenlain along the way.

Nabil's tip: Book parking at the same time as your room if you are coming by car. Places are limited, especially on weekends. Key takeaway: The Clémenceau Hotel is neither in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux nor Le Quesnoy, but in the center of Valenciennes, 2 minutes from the train station where regional trains (TER) depart for these two cities. Spend a day in Saint-Amand and the forest, a day in Le Quesnoy, and in the evening, return to the city for dinner. For a car-free weekend, follow our itinerary in downtown Valenciennes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I get to Saint-Amand-les-Eaux by train?

Yes, the TER regional trains on line C60 connect Saint-Amand-les-Eaux to Valenciennes.

How tall is the abbey tower?

82 meters, built between 1626 and 1640.

What is the size of the Raismes-Saint-Amand-Wallers forest?

More than 4,000 hectares, within the Regional Natural Park Scarpe-Escaut.

When was Le Quesnoy liberated?

November 4, 1918, by New Zealand soldiers.

Is the New Zealand Museum open every day?

No, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Does the hotel have parking?

Yes, a secure parking lot for €10 per night, by reservation.