Bapaume lies at the transition between the Plateau Artésien and the Artois Plain, at a passage known as the “seuil de Bapaume”.
Travellers wishing to stay in Bapaume can rent a holiday apartment.
History and Culture
During the First World War, Bapaume was more than 95 % destroyed and completely rebuilt after the conflict. The Donjon marks the site of the former castle of Bapaume; from there, visitors can still make out the layout of the medieval fortification walls and tall towers.
The Bastion du Dauphin is one of the two bastions of Bapaume that can still be visited today. The Bastion de la Reyne can also still be visited and is located on the Route de Cambrai.
The Église Saint-Nicolas was rebuilt on its former foundations between 1924 and 1929 after its destruction in the First World War. It houses the 15th-century statue of Notre-Dame de Pitié, which is listed as a historic monument.
Bapaume’s Hôtel de Ville was also rebuilt at its original location in 1931 and 1932 after being destroyed during the war. An outdoor gallery high up in the tower offers panoramic views; the top of the belfry is 55 m high.
The Australian Cemetery of Bapaume commemorates soldiers who fell in Bapaume and the surrounding area during the First World War. Eighteen Australian and New Zealand soldiers who were recovered from the rubble after the town hall exploded are buried there. The Musée de Bapaume also displays a marble plaque and a clock from the former building.
Leisure
The Piscine Oxygène du Seuil de l’Artois offers the public in Bapaume recreational swimming and lane swimming facilities. The facilities also include aquacycling and aquadynamic sessions.
Getting Around
The GR145 long-distance hiking trail from Arras to Bapaume includes the Église Saint-Nicolas in Bapaume. The Les 4 Chemins cycling route starts in Bapaume and follows in the footsteps of the First World War. Its loop is a 47 km, four-hour VTC route with an easy difficulty level.
Festivals
The Foire aux aulx is one of Bapaume’s festivals.
Other destinations: Bainghen, Bermicourt, Longfossé, Acquin-Westbécourt, Marenla, La Calotterie, Neufchâtel-Hardelot, Lépine.
