Summary
The small town of Armentières is situated on the Belgian border, just 15 minutes from Lille and 20 minutes from the Belgian city of Ypres. For those seeking a local retreat, there is a lake featuring an activity center and beach, alongside various open farms and charming rural museums to explore.
However, you may also be interested in the region’s renowned local beer, First World War history, or the UNESCO-listed belfries. You can satisfy this curiosity by visiting picturesque old towns, breweries, hop farms, battlefields, and war museums, with Lille offering a plethora of opportunities for exploration.
Let us delve into the best activities in Armentières:
1. Beffroi d’Armentières
The standout attraction in Armentières is the red brick and limestone belfry, which is part of the town hall.
This UNESCO-listed structure reflects the town’s rich history, having undergone destruction and subsequent reconstruction, first during the Middle Ages and then following the First World War.
The present architecture embodies a neo-Flemish style, and the stained glass windows celebrate the historic local trades of beer brewing, spinning, and weaving.
Visitors can ascend 200 steps to the top, where they will be greeted with a breathtaking 360° panorama of the town and the surrounding Hauts-de-France and Belgian countryside.
Guided tours are available on select days in summer or by appointment through the Armentières tourist office.
2. Église Saint Vaast
The church in Armentières is of cathedral-like dimensions, featuring a bell tower that rises to an impressive 83 meters, marking it as the highest point in the town.
Once again, the narrative of the church involves devastation and revival, tracing back to the 800s.
In 1921, while the church was still in ruins, Supreme Allied Commander Marshal Foch attended a special mass to present a Croix de Guerre medal to the town for its contributions during the war.
The exterior of the restored church is Neo-Renaissance, while the interior boasts more Gothic elements, adorned with beautiful stained glass and several noteworthy paintings, including “Christ aux Outrages,” which is a historical monument in its own right.
3. Grand-Place
For a town of its size, Armentières features a remarkably impressive public square: Grand-Place, which is situated around the town hall and belfry, and directly faces the Église Saint Vaast.
A substantial portion of this square has been pedestrianized in recent years, isolating the belfry at the center and enhancing its visual impact.
During the summer, this square becomes an ideal location to relax at one of the café or restaurant terraces, enjoying a refreshing beverage while contemplating the charming Flemish-style houses and the town’s noteworthy monuments.
4. Les Prés du Hem
Adjacent to Armentières lies a vast 120-hectare park centered around a large lake, hosting an activity center with numerous recreational options.
On sunny days, visitors can relax on the beach, engage in kayaking, rent pedal boats, or even participate in sailing lessons.
For younger visitors, a miniature railway traverses the western shore of the lake, providing convenient access to various facilities.
The more secluded northern shore acts as a bird sanctuary with observation hides for nature enthusiasts.
Additionally, to the south, there is a public garden featuring playgrounds, a café, and a small farm housing pigs, cows, sheep, rabbits, and donkeys.
5. Petit Musée de la Gaufre
It is possible to spend an enjoyable couple of days without venturing far from the town, thanks to the eclectic mix of small museums available.
Located just five minutes from Grand Place in Armentières is the Petit Musée de la Gaufre.
Around traditional fireplaces, an artisan will guide visitors through the history and techniques of authentic waffle-making.
The museum houses a collection of vintage waffle-making equipment, and the visit culminates in an opportunity to try waffles made on-site.
In French Flanders, waffles are oval-shaped, with finer indentations, often served with brown sugar on top.
6. Musée de la Bataille de Fromelles
The surrounding countryside is dotted with cemeteries and memorials commemorating the First World War.
Armentières experienced its own catastrophic battle in 1918, yet the nearest significant museum is located just 10 minutes away in Fromelles.
Here, visitors can learn about the deadliest battle faced by the Australian army, which resulted in the loss of approximately 7,500 lives within just 14 hours.
The museum, inaugurated in 2014, is situated next to the Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery and showcases artifacts recovered from the battlefield, lifelike dioramas of the trenches, and accounts from some of the men involved.
7. La Ferme Beck
Located outside Bailleul, approximately 15 minutes from Armentières, this rural attraction invites visitors to explore the region’s deep-rooted passion for beer.
This establishment, although modest, reveals every stage of the beer-making process—from hop and yeast cultivation to fermentation and bottling.
All methods employed are traditional, utilizing spring-fed water for production.
Families can interact with draft horses, and there is a restaurant serving homemade beer alongside hearty Flemish cuisine.
8. Lille’s Historic Centre
You will find yourself immersed in this captivating city in no time, strolling along cobblestone streets lined with magnificent 17th-century buildings.
You could spend hours wandering and remain engaged, but there are a few essential sights to prioritize on your journey.
The Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange) consists of 24 Mannerist houses arranged around an atmospheric courtyard.
Flanking it are two squares: the monumental Grand’Place and the equally refined Place du Théâtre.
This area is home to Lille’s Art Deco belfry, which rises from the city hall to a height of over 104 meters, making it the tallest belfry in Europe.
9. Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
To find a comparable art museum, one would have to travel all the way to Paris.
The collection spans artworks from the 1400s to the 1900s, featuring an impressive roster of artists, including Rubens, Rembrandt, Picasso, Goya, Manet, Seurat, El Greco, van Dyck, Courbet, and Delacroix, to name a few.
The sculpture collection is equally remarkable, housing works by Antoine Bourdelle, Camille Claudel, and Carolus-Duran.
Furthermore, there is a unique collection of plans-reliefs—three-dimensional military maps from the 17th and 18th centuries, depicting cities like Lille, Ypres, and Calais as they appeared over 300 years ago.
10. Zoo de Lille
The Zoo de Lille, the nearest attraction to Armentières, offers free entry for children under five.
The zoo is strategically located at the base of Vauban’s star-shaped citadel.
It is home to 450 animals across 70 species, including gibbons, tapirs, rhinos, zebras, alpacas, capybaras, and red pandas.
In the Maison Tropicale, visitors can encounter various reptiles, such as boas, turtles, and iguanas, along with jungle primates like tamarins and marmosets.
The aviary is also a delight, featuring colorful parrots, snowy owls, and the lively antics of meerkats.
11. Bailleul
This charming town is located just 15 minutes up the road on the French side of the border.
For those following the UNESCO belfry trail, another listed example can be found here.
Similar to the belfry in Armentières, it was restored post-war but retains the style it had before 1914. Visitors can ascend the stairs to a height of 63 meters, where they will hear the melodious chimes of the 35-bell carillon in the campanile every 15 minutes.
Additionally, the town hosts the Musée Benoît-De-Puydt, established by a wealthy art connoisseur who collected an impressive array of Renaissance and Baroque paintings by artists such as Pieter Brueghel the Younger, Gerard David, and Henri met de Bles.
12. Ypres
This city exudes historical significance and is encircled by a ring of ramparts.
It also features a World Heritage belfry, which is connected to another medieval marvel.
The Gothic Cloth Hall, completed in the early 14th century, served as a significant commercial hub.
As one of the largest medieval structures globally, it symbolizes Ypres’ status as a trade center.
The building was nearly completely destroyed during the war but was meticulously reconstructed over a 30-year restoration project, finishing in 1967. Visitors should not miss the majestic cathedral dating back to the 14th century, which boasts a spire exceeding one hundred meters in height.
13. Last Post Ceremony in Ypres
The Menin Gate in Ypres serves as the backdrop for a poignant daily ceremony, during which buglers from the local fire brigade sound the Last Post.
This custom occurs nightly at 20:00 and has continued every evening since 1927, with the exception of a five-year hiatus during the Second World War.
This ritual is a heartfelt tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of Belgium’s freedom.
The gate itself was inaugurated in 1927 as a memorial for missing soldiers from the First World War, positioned at a significant location marking the path soldiers would take from the town to the frontline.
14. Lys River Cruise
L’Armentières 2000 is a 100-seater vessel with a glass roof, operated by the town’s tourist office during the summer months.
This boat gently navigates the Lys River, providing access to the activity center at Les Prés du Hem.
From the river, one can enjoy the best views of the local industrial heritage that might otherwise be inaccessible.
Along its banks, there are historic brick mills and warehouses associated with the spinning and weaving industries from the 1800s, in addition to the notable Brasserie Motte Cordonnier.
This former 19th-century brewery, designated as a historic monument, currently stands empty while plans for a potential museum are being developed.
15. Regional Food and Drink
It has been noted that beer plays a significant role in the culture of this region of France.
Not far across the border in Watou lies the St Bernardus brewery, recognized for producing some of the most esteemed beers worldwide.
Within the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, there are 20 breweries, positioning it alongside Alsace as the largest producer in France.
Beer also features prominently in the local cuisine, serving as a key ingredient in dishes such as coq à la bière, Welsch (a Welsh rarebit), and the beloved carbonade flamande, a flavorful beef stew typically served with fries.
