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The faithful trust in the help of the Mother of God – who in France is always venerated under the title “Notre-Dame” (which corresponds to the German name “Our Lady”) – was expressed by the French nun, mystic and Doctor of the Church, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (religious name Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, 1873 to 1897) as follows: “In trials or difficulties I turn to Mother Mary, whose gaze alone is enough to dispel all fear.”

The Église Notre-Dame de Plomion is a historic church located in Plomion, in the Aisne department, France. The church was built between the 12th and 16th centuries and is an example of a fortified church. The building consists of a large quadrangular tower between two towers, with a truncated tower at each end of the transept. The church has an impressive interior with a choir and transept covered with ribbed vaults. There are several paintings and sculptures on display, including a depiction of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane in the left transept.

Without doubt one of the most beautiful of the 65 fortified churches in Thiérache. Remarkably restored. A must-see!

The fortified church of Plomion is one of the most remarkable in Thiérache. Completely renovated and freely accessible upstairs, since June 25, 2022, it was built in bricks and stands on the foundations of an old church, where a permanent garrison was stationed. This church is the "finished" type of fortress church which includes all the elements of fortification: tower, keep, turrets, watchtowers and a set of more than 60 loopholes including 42 on the keep! Numerous geometric patterns in vitrified bricks such as hearts and diamonds adorn the building.

The Notre-Dame de Plomion church is one of the most remarkable fortified churches in the region. Built in brick on the foundations of an old church, it has a large square tower, two round towers, two turrets and more than 60 loopholes. You will be able to admire the geometric patterns of the enameled bricks, such as hearts and diamonds, which decorate the building. The church is open to the public and has an interactive terminal which allows you to discover the upper floors without climbing. You can also see a small prison and a semi-circular dome ceiling.

The Basilica of Notre Dame de Liesse is a Gothic basilica dating from the 12th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is said to have miraculously freed three knights from captivity during the Crusades. The basilica was a place of pilgrimage for many kings and queens of France, who came to pray for various favors and blessings. You can admire the beautiful architecture, the statue of the Black Madonna, the frescoes and relics of the basilica, and learn about its rich history and culture. The basilica is located in the town of Liesse-Notre-Dame.

The church of Harcigny is a fortified church which dates from the 13th century and which was rebuilt several times over the following centuries. It is characterized by its brick bell tower-keep, decorated with vitrified brick patterns, and by its funerary chapel which houses the tombs of the former owners of the Gironsart farm. The church is dedicated to Saint Martin, the patron saint of soldiers and the poor. It is located in the Aisne department, in the Hauts-de-France region, and is part of the cultural heritage of Thiérache.

Here, the city walker will find an early masterpiece of Gothic architecture, a style often found in this part of France – Chartres and Reims, for example, attract enthusiastic international visitors and are far more famous than Laon. In the following 13th century, many Gothic churches were built, not only in their country of origin, France, but also beyond the country's borders, where this sky-high, light-filled architectural style was now in great demand for new churches (for example, the laying of the foundation stone for Cologne Cathedral in 1248).