Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Hazebrouck, France

In French Flanders, Hazebrouck is a charming town that epitomizes the region’s finest attributes.

Hazebrouck’s remarkable museum is housed in a gabled 17th-century convent, and within and around the town, one can explore churches, open farms, breweries, and windmills, which offer a chance to reconnect with traditional ways of life.

Visitors can also learn about Jules Lemire, a local clergyman who significantly influenced French society in the early 20th century by advocating for a weekly day of rest on Sundays.

Moreover, if you visit in April, you will witness the vibrant celebrations of the Fête de la Mi-Carême, where the town displays its ceremonial “giants” — enormous puppets paraded through the streets.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Hazebrouck:

1. Musée des Augustins

Located in Hazebrouck’s beautiful Flemish-style Augustinian Convent, this museum boasts an impressive collection of French, Flemish, and Dutch paintings housed in exquisite gabled halls dating back to 1616. Additionally, it showcases valuable sacred art from the Church of Saint-Éloi and features an ethnology room that recreates a traditional Flemish kitchen equipped with earthenware, brass and pewter vessels, as well as cooking tools.

Outside of the festival season, visitors can also encounter Hazebrouck’s GÉants du Nord, tall ceremonial effigies that are part of a tradition reaching back to medieval times.

2. Église Saint-Éloi

This oldest monument in the town, dating from 1432, has endured many challenges throughout its history.

Notably, shortly after its completion, the church was almost entirely destroyed by French troops under King Charles VIII. Its spire has particularly suffered over time; raised anew in 1512, it faced further destruction during the German offensive in 1940. Finally, in 1994, it was restored to its former glory.

The church warrants a visit for its elegant wooden paneling and the harmonious combination of brick and reddish sandstone.

Additionally, be sure to admire the 18th-century furnishings, such as the organ case, baptismal font, choir stalls, and a marble statue of Saint Teresa of Avila.

3. Bois des Huit-Rues

This forest possesses significant Second World War heritage, earning it a French “monument historique” designation.

The remnants of concrete and brick structures hidden among the foliage were part of a V-1 rocket site established in 1943. Despite its construction, the site never launched any rockets, as it was detected and bombed early by the Allies.

Visitors can see various storage buildings and a launch ramp, marked with wooden plaques detailing their original purposes, making it a fascinating site for military historians and urban explorers alike.

4. La Maison-Musée de l’Abbé Lemire

The influential clergyman who resided here, Jules Lemire, had a profound effect on French society; as a member of the Chamber of Deputies in the early 20th century, he advocated for significant employment reforms.

These reforms ensured a day of rest on Sundays, established family allowances, and regulated working hours.

The residence has limited visiting hours, so it is advisable to confirm with the tourist office in Hazebrouck before your visit.

When open, free guided tours are available, taking visitors through his library, private chapel, and a reconstruction of his Paris office.

The facade features a sculpture of a lion holding a hare in its paws, a remnant from the town hall that burnt down in 1801, symbolizing Flanders’ guardianship of Hazebrouck.

5. Le Jardin Public

As a dedicated social reformer, Jules Lemire championed the establishment of this public park, which was inaugurated in 1929, a year after his passing.

During his tenure as deputy mayor, Lemire had advocated for a green space where children, parents, and the elderly could “go and breathe” amidst the industrial landscape.

The town honored Lemire’s contributions by erecting a memorial carved by the prolific sculptor Felix Desruelles, unveiled on the same day the park was opened.

Nearly 90 years later, it remains a peaceful oasis featuring lawns, diverse tree species, flowerbeds, and a sizable pond.

6. Fête et la Foire de la Mi-Carême

Every April, Hazebrouck hosts its mid-lent festival and fair, commemorating a semi-mythical event from the Middle Ages: local advocates successfully urged the local lord to share the nuts grown on his land, which he intended to keep for himself.

This occasion is still celebrated with an agricultural parade.

Leading the procession are Hazebrouck’s cherished GÉants du Nord ceremonial giants, including Roland d’Hazebrouck (symbolizing the protector of Hazebrouck), Tisje Tasje (a figure of Flemish folklore), Toria (the wife of Tisje Tasje), and their children Babe Tisje and Zoon Tisje. Throughout the festivities, families can enjoy the fair, complete with bumper cars, traditional amusements, and carousels.

7. Église Notre-Dame

Similar to the Église Saint-Éloi, this church suffered irreparable damage during the Second World War and necessitated complete reconstruction in 1959. The new structure, constructed from red brick, is recognizable by the bell tower that stands apart from the main body of the church.

Inside, visitors should pay special attention to the new altar, made from hammered copper, symbolizing bread and fish.

One of the main attractions is the crypt, which houses salvaged decorations from the original church, including choir stalls, a white marble altar, and seven surviving sculptures of the twelve apostles.

8. Other Sights

For those familiar with the Nord region, one may notice an absence of a belfry in Hazebrouck.

This is due to the old town hall’s destruction by fire in 1801, leading to the construction of a striking neoclassical building featuring an arcade and portico, albeit without a tower.

The Palais de Justice also presents a picturesque facade; this Neo-Gothic structure dates from the late 19th century.

Check with the tourist office for the possibility of visiting the interior, where you can admire the monumental staircase and spacious courtroom adorned with intricate woodwork.

Additionally, the Rue Piétonne (pedestrian street) reflects the local life in Hazebrouck; this lively thoroughfare is dotted with cafes and beloved local shops, including a patisserie, boucherie, and trendy boutiques.

9. Drievenmeulen

If you require further evidence of your location in the world, observe the 18th-century windmill situated a couple of kilometers before crossing into Belgium.

Constructed in 1774, the mill was originally utilized for oil pressing for over a century before being repurposed for flour milling.

The original machinery remains intact and operational within a building that has withstood the test of storms, wars, and 240 years of aging.

The mill is accessible by appointment, but visitors may also drop by on specific summer days.

10. Maison de la Bataille de la Peene

Throughout history, French Flanders has faced the trials of war; this was especially true during the 16th and 17th centuries when the French and the Dutch Republic competed for dominance.

This museum details a significant battle, referred to in English as the Battle of Cassel, which occurred outside Hazebrouck on April 11, 1677, resulting in a French victory.

Approximately a quarter of the Dutch forces, totaling 32,000, were either killed or wounded during this conflict.

The defeat could have been more catastrophic had the French army not postponed their pursuit of the retreating Dutch in order to plunder the supplies of William of Orange.

The museum located at the battlefield provides context regarding this conflict and the narrative of that pivotal day, alongside a broader exhibition on the culture of French Flanders.

11. Ferme des Récollets

This family-friendly rural attraction features a farm shop offering fresh produce and opportunities to observe the workings of a farm.

Visitors can tour the dairy, where two varieties of artisanal cheese (Récollet de Cassel and Coeur des Récollets) are produced, followed by a visit to the cellar where the cheese matures.

Children can interact with and pet friendly farm animals, such as sheep, goats, rabbits, and a donkey.

Additionally, during the season, visitors can pick their own strawberries and raspberries from the fields.

12. Beffroi de Bailleul

In this region, many belfries are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Numerous belfries have remained virtually unchanged since the medieval era, while others, such as Bailleul’s, have undergone reconstruction due to the ravages of war.

All of them symbolize the communities’ historic liberties to construct defensive walls and manage them with watchtowers.

Bailleul’s original belfry was erected in the 1100s; despite destruction by conflict and fire, it has consistently been reconstructed in the traditional style.

The existing tower, constructed in 1932, reaches a height of 62 meters and is home to a carillon comprising 35 bells that weighs over five tons in total.

Climb the 202 steps for stunning views of the town and the Monts de Flanders in the background.

13. Musée Benoît De Puydt

Be sure to allocate time for a visit to Bailleul’s museum, which boasts an art collection that may pleasantly surprise you.

This museum was established in 1861 when the wealthy collector Benoît De Puydt donated both his residence and the artworks that adorned its walls to the town.

Here you will find works by Gothic primitive painter Gérard David, and Renaissance masters, including Herri Met de Bles and Breughel the Younger.

Subsequent additions include a selection of pieces by Pharaon de Winter, a turn-of-the-century artist born in Bailleul, who became the Director of Drawing at the Lille School of Fine Arts.

In addition to these paintings, the museum offers a splendid range of sculptures, ceramics, laceworks, and furniture.

14. Brasserie du Pays Flamand

Beer has traditionally been the preferred beverage in French Flanders; however, the local brewing industry had diminished since the early 20th century.

That landscape has transformed in recent years, paralleling the craft beer movement, as several new breweries have emerged around Hazebrouck over the past decade.

Located in a former distillery, the Brasserie du Pays Flamand produces a variety of beers, including white, brown, amber, and a lambic triple.

Group tours are available, and visitors can also enjoy the bar on Friday afternoons, situated in the distillery’s converted stables.

15. Local Specialities

The appreciation for beer is not the singular cultural trait French Flanders shares with Belgium; the culinary traditions are remarkably similar, albeit with some regional nuances.

One such delicacy is the gaufre fourrée, a vanilla-infused waffle characterized by its oval shape, which originated from the bakeries of Lille.

For a hearty main course, consider tasting carbonade flamande, a savory beef stew prepared with beer and accompanied by French fries.

Another traditional dish is moules-frites, wherein mussels are usually cooked in white wine, served alongside a portion of fries.

Interestingly, a popular snack in this region is the “welsch,” a Welsh rarebit consisting of cheese, beer, and mustard sauce spread over bread.