Parc départemental du ValJoly
On the Belgian frontier at the heart of the Forêt de Trélon and the Avesnois Natural Regional Parc, the holiday resort of Val Joly is a wonderful place to relax and unwind in beautiful surroundings.
What to do during your holiday at Val Joly ?
In fact, Val Joly is first and foremost the largest man-made lake in the Nord-Pas de Calais, but it is also the name of the major outdoor activity centre beside it.
Val Joly is an ideal place to enjoy fresh air and take things easy, but that does not mean to say that you risk being bored !
Outdoor sports : choose from walking, archery, mountain biking or hybrid biking (6 circular trails start from the resort), horse riding, Nordic walking, adventure trail, scooters, crazy golf, orienteering, etc.
Water sports : catamaran sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle-boarding and kayaking are available. There are also pedaloes and small electric boats for hire.
Fishing : Lac du Val Joly teems with fish – carp, pike, perch, zander and roach. Take the opportunity to introduce your youngster to the joys of freshwater fishing ! Silent electric motor boats can be hired.
Wildlife observation : take some binoculars and follow the bird watching trail where you are sure to sight many species of bird. Information points along the trail tell you what birds look like, their lifestyle and songs.
Swimming : put on your swimsuit and dive into the water at Aquatica pool complex with several pools, paddling pool, flume, jacuzzi, etc.
What to do near Val Joly : Museums, good food, walks in the fresh air…]
Val Joly has an estaminet, a brasserie, an Irish pub, a restaurant and a tea room. Take time to try local beer or a bowl of Avesnois cider and local specialities like ‘flamiche au maroilles’ (a tart made with Maroilles cheese).
Ecomusée de Fourmies
At Fourmies, the Musée du Textile et de la vie sociale (textile museum) is in a textile mill dating from 1863. It houses one of the largest collections of working textile machines in Europe. Reconstitutions and operations plunge visitors into the everyday life of workers.
Maroilles, the cheese village or the village cheese !
The most famous product of the Avesnois area is without doubt Maroilles, a soft cow’s milk cheese with a washed orange rind.
According to legend it originated at the Benedictine abbey of Maroilles, of which several buildings remain including the Tithe Barn. Since that time, Maroilles has made a name for itself and benefits from AOC (PDO) status : it can thus only be made and its milk collected from Thiérache, an area extending from Avesnes sur Helpe to the south to Vervins in Aisne to the north.
MusVerre at Sars Poteries
Discover a rare group of ‘bousillés’ everyday objects full of imagination and colour, created by the glass-makers of Sars-Poteries, as well as a unique collection unique of glass works by contemporary artists from all horizons from all walks of life.
MusVerre holds regular temporary exhibitions, activities and workshops for all the family, discovery visits and occasional glass- making demonstrations.
Avesnois Regional Natural Park
Meadows bordered by trees, leafy forests, orchards in blossom, winding rivers, water mills, ‘kiosques à danser’ (mini bandstands unique to the area) at the heart of villages, little chapels of blue stone … make the Avesnois Regional Natural Park an outstanding area.
Walking at Val Joly
There are over 30 walking and cycling trails around Val Joly for all the family, with varying degrees of difficulty.
http://www.tourisme-avesnois.com/voir-faire/randonnee
Visitor’s comment
« I first came across Val Joly while out on my motorbike. I have been back there many times with my daughter, friends and family, there’s a great choice of fun activities. » Thomas, biker.
How to get to Val Joly
From Paris : Take A1 towards Lille, then A2 towards Cambrai, Valenciennes, Brussels, exit 22A for Maubeuge, then RN2 towards Reims, Laon.
From Lille : head towards Valenciennes, then Maubeuge then RN2 towards Reims, Laon.
No direct access by train
Discover the Nord département and its ‘absolute musts’ with Gites de France Nord : Lewarde Mining History Centre, Cassel, Lille, Roubaix and Villa Cavrois, the seaside resort of Malo Les Bains."
