Bethune - Abbaye de Valloires - Arras - Douai

Route: Lille - Bethune - Abbaye de Valloires - Arras - Douai - Lille
Duration: 11 h
The first stop of our tour will be at pleasant and charming city which has kept many traces of its past, despite severe destruction during the First World War. Former stronghold Vauban,  Béthune is also a beautiful river port whose channel connects the area to the Lys and Deule. The town still has a beautiful architectural heritage where traditional Flemish houses line the Grand Place and the Belfry.  There you can also enjoy gastronomic specialties, like Fort Béthune. This cheese made from leftover cheese blended with spices, white wine and alcohol. The next stop of the tour will be at Abbaye de Valloires which was founded in 1138 by the Count Guy II of Ponthieu as the 7th Cistercian abbey in France.In the 12th and 13th centuries the abbey was very prosperous and counted 100 monks. During the many wars that followed, the abbey suffered badly and parts were rebuilt several times. During world war I the abbey was used as a Belgian military hospital. From the front-entrance you walk through gardens to the former monks-refectory and onward to the central courtyard surrounded by vaulted galleries.The Baroque church has a beautiful metal screen to separate monks from noble origin from the less noble-ones. The wood-paneling , paintings and sculptures are superb especially the suspended angels. After wisit to Abbaye de Valloires we will drive to city Arras which is famous for its two gems that are the Grand Place (main square) and the Héros square. Surrounded by 155 houses of Flemish Baroque style, these two paved squares are magnificent and make an enchanting scene! Very lively, the Héros square, lined with covered galleries home to fine food shops and cafés, is dominated by the belfry of the town hall.The last stop of the tour will be at the town of Douai which situated on the edge of the River Scarpe and has preserved much evidence of its rich historic past: the town hall and its belfry of Gothic style, the Saint-Pierre collegiate church, the Notre-Dame church, the Valenciennes gateway, the Dauphin mansion looking onto the Armes square, and the facade of the Palais de Justice (law courts) reflecting in the waters of the River Scarpe.The magnificent belfry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a 62-bell carillon where from the top will open  a beautiful panoramic view of the roofs of the city and the surrounding countryside. After we will return to Lille.
Price: per person