오비니 레 포테 최고의 라이딩 경로

Thiérache, a land of historical passage, is adorned with fortified churches, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

The medieval west facade of the église Notre-dame was reinforced in the 17th century with a heavy rectangular keep with machicolations, battlements, skylights and loopholes. A bas-relief in tête-bêche (honor print) at the entrance depicts Good and Evil. The octagonal tower at the chancel has a staircase to an attic above the chancel.

Château de la Cour des Prés: Upon arrival in the village, admire the garden facade of this castle (1546) on the banks of the Aube on the right. Fortified house consisting of an "L" shaped main building whose front facade is flanked by two round towers, organized around a courtyard open to the gardens and park. Its construction in 1546 by Louis Martin, provost of Rumigny, was encouraged by King François I, in the second line of fortifications along the Meuse, to resist a possible attack by the troops of Charles V.

The phenomenon of fortified churches and farms is typical of the Thiérache region. In the 16th century, the churches took over the role of protecting the population against the conquests of the French and the actions from Flanders. With cattle and all, people were sometimes locked up for weeks.

The Sint-Niklaaskerk is a very beautiful model of a fortified church on a spacious square with a music kiosk. The exterior is warlike in appearance, with a large square portico tower, dotted with embrasures, above the western portal, brick watchtowers at the corners of this tower, and other watchtowers on the arms of the transept. The walls of the tower are 3 m thick at the base and are made of quartz slate. The choir is equipped with a gatehouse that further reinforces the defensive vocabulary of this construction. The church was built at the end of the 17th century. After the previous one was burnt down by the Spaniards in 1636.

Saint Martin, to whom the church of Aubigny-Les-Pothees is dedicated, is - next to Saint Nicholas - probably one of the most popular saints of all. The memorial day of the former officer in the Roman army is November 11th. On the night after the famous “coat sharing”, when he surrendered half his army cloak to a freezing beggar, Jesus Christ appears to him in a dream. He then converted to Christianity and was later elected Bishop of Tours (France) - initially against his will.

The route is well signposted and there is 1 beautiful church in each village.

currently closed 😥