Éclaibes: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Château d'Éclaibes, demolished in 1818, retains damaged sections of the surrounding walls, the foundations of the residential building and three towers, a fourth tower that is still standing, as well as two bridges with the drawbridge mechanisms. One of the surviving towers is called the Tour de la Sorcière. The Château d'Éclaibes was a fortress that was besieged and captured several times during the wars under Henri II, Louis XIII and Louis XIV. The privately owned Château d'Éclaibes can be viewed from the outside; entry is not possible. Its façades of bluestone and brick are visible from outside.

Those who choose Éclaibes for a trip may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Culture

The choir of the Église Saint-Étienne has low ribbed vaults with ribs made of bluestone. The keystones bear the IHS monogram, the year 1629, and the coats of arms of Alexandre de Croÿ and his wife Madeleine d’Egmont. The church has the shape of a Latin cross, with a short nave, an asymmetrical transept and a three-sided chancel. Representations of scallop shells can be seen in the chancel niches.

The Grand Moulin was a mill for flour and spelt and was rebuilt for François Dewez in 1790. It stood at the confluence of the Ruisseau du Moulin and the stream of Warennes and dates back to 1553. The Grand Moulin had two water wheels and four pairs of millstones; flour production there ceased in 1928.

Nature

The Jardin d'Eclaibes contains more than 700 different plant species from around the world. It can be visited in May, June, October and November by prior reservation.

The Étang du Moulin was probably created in the 12th century in the valley of the Ruisseau des Cligneux to serve the needs of the Château. The pond covers five hectares and is situated in a green setting.

Trails

The Voie verte is a hiking trail through the Avesnois and part of a European cycling route connecting Trondheim in Norway with Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Piste des Loups d'Éclaibes is a circular route that starts and ends at Éclaibes town hall; there is a small car park in front of the church.

Other Local Pages

Other local pages: Douchy-Les-Mines, Villers-au-Tertre, Saint-Sylvestre-Cappel, Féron, Gommegnies, Coutiches, Roubaix, Ennevelin.

To the overarching travel overview: North.