Alsace Coach Tour, 6 Days
An authentic immersion between traditions, vineyards, art cities and exceptional heritage The Alsace coach tour is an invitation to discover one of…
Waterways & chicory root cultivation
Discovering the wateringues
1 day
Fill up on discoveries
Transport
We organize your transport by coach, train or plane
Circuit découverte
Afin de vous permettre de découvrir, une région ou un village, nous vous proposons des circuits organisés
Price upon request
Groups
All-inclusive prices for small and large groups
With guide
You won't miss a single detail - they know their subject inside out.
French
English
Other languages on request
English
Other languages on request
The Audruicq wateringues and Vieille-Église chicory: immersion in a unique heritage of water and know-how
This escapade in the Pas-de-Calais offers an experience as surprising as it is rewarding, combining the discovery of our hydraulic heritage with immersion in an emblematic industrial know-how. From the wateringues of Audruicq to the chicory of Vieille-Église, this day trip plunges you into the history of a region shaped by man and water.
Perfectly suited to groups, this outing combines a guided tour, coach trip and educational discovery.
Wateringues: a unique water management system
The term ” wateringues” comes from Flemish and dates back to the 12th century. It refers to a series of hydraulic structures designed to drain land reclaimed from the sea, known as polders.
In theAudruicq region, part of the land lies below sea level, making water control essential for agriculture and housing.
The wateringues include :
- Canals called watergangs
- Pumping stations
- Hydraulic control structures
This ingenious system constantly monitors water levels and protects land from flooding.
Human conquest of the sea since Antiquity
Reclamation of the marshes in this region dates back to Roman times, but it was not until the Middle Ages that major works were undertaken.
Under the impetus of Philippe d’Alsace, Count of Flanders in the 12th century, major developments were carried out to protect the coastline and exploit the land.
Over the centuries, techniques have evolved to :
- Reclaiming land from the sea
- Prevent flooding
- Optimizing freshwater flows
Even today, this territory bears witness to the constant struggle between man and nature.
A modern system still in operation
The severe floods of 1974 and 1975 in the Marais Audomarois marked a turning point in water management.
In 1977, the creation of theInstitution Interdépartementale des Wateringues enabled the modernization and coordination of hydraulic facilities.
Today, this system is based on :
- Lifting and pumping stations
- Regular canal maintenance
- Constant monitoring of water levels
This organization ensures the safety of local residents and the continuity of farming activities.
An educational coach tour
The visit takes the form of a projection followed by a coach tour, allowing direct observation of the infrastructure in the field.
Visitors include :
- The history of wateringues
- Hydraulic system operation
- The importance of human intervention in the landscape
This immersive approach sheds light on an often little-known regional heritage.
Chicory: a treasure of agricultural heritage
The day continues with the discovery of another regional emblem: chicory, cultivated for thousands of years.
Used since Antiquity for its medicinal virtues, it enjoyed a boom in Europe from the 17th century onwards, notably as a substitute for coffee.
In France, its cultivation is growing strongly:
- At the time of Napoleon’s continental blockade
- In the Nord and Wateringues regions
- With the rise of industrial units from the 18th century onwards
Today, France remains the world’s leading chicory producer.
The Vieille-Église drying plant: a unique industrial site
Just a few kilometers from Audruicq, the village of Vieille-Église is home to an exceptional site: France’s last chicory dryer.
Built in 1921 and closed in 1968, this building has been restored to its original state.
Today, it is :
- A rare testimony to industrial heritage
- A place to remember agricultural work
- A place to pass on know-how
Know-how from root to finished product
The tour takes in all the stages of chicory processing:
- Root harvesting
- Cutting into cossettes
- Dehydration
- Transformation into a consumable product
This process highlights a unique technical and agricultural know-how, deeply rooted in the region.
Immerse yourself in local history and traditions
Today, the local association works to preserve and promote this heritage, passing on the history of chicory and its economic importance.
This tour allows you to :
- Understanding changes in farming practices
- Discover a rare industrial heritage
- Appreciate local traditions
An ideal excursion for groups
This day is perfectly suited to groups, thanks to a structured and accessible program.
It proposes :
- An educational guided tour
- A coach tour
- A variety of discoveries between nature and industry
The wide range of themes will appeal to all audiences.
Why choose this getaway around Audruicq?
Choosing this outing means discovering a territory shaped by human ingenuity.
It enables :
- Understand a hydraulic system that is unique in France
- Discover a rare industrial heritage
- Immerse yourself in farming traditions
- An original and enriching experience
Between water, land and know-how, this day offers an authentic immersion in the Hauts-de-France region.
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Questions fréquentes (FAQ)
What are wateringues and why are they important?
Wateringues are a complex hydraulic system for draining land below sea level, known as polders. They play an essential role in flood prevention and in maintaining agricultural activities. This network of canals, pumps and control structures is indispensable in certain regions of Hauts-de-France.
What is chicory and why is it important to the region?
Chicory has been cultivated for thousands of years, used in particular as a substitute for coffee. In northern France, it played a major economic role, particularly from the 18th century onwards. Even today, France is the world's leading producer, and chicory remains a strong symbol of the region's agricultural heritage.
What do we discover in the Vieille-Église dry farm?
The Vieille-Église drying facility is the last chicory drying facility in France. It allows visitors to discover all the stages of chicory processing, from harvesting to the finished product. This unique site immerses visitors in an industrial and agricultural know-how that has now disappeared, while highlighting local history.
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