An emblematic village of Audomarois, Clairmarais is distinguished in particular by its location occupying no less than 519 hectares of the Audomarois marsh.
If we had to describe Clairmarais in a few words, this small village in Pas-de-Calais is both dedicated to vacationing and market gardening. Everyone likes to walk there to buy vegetables, to enjoy a boat trip or to discover the marsh on a guided tour. The walker also appreciates the shaded paths of the Rihoult-Clairmarais forest as well as its popular hiking trails. Discover the Grange Nature in the center of the village and the paths of the Romelaere nature reserve, as well as the path of the basin. The latter makes it possible to appreciate the forest, the marsh and the meadows around Nieurlet, Noordpeene and Clairmarais.
If you are fond of monuments and old stones, you will appreciate the Saint-Bernard church, the Cistercian farm, the ruins of the abbey along the road to Arques and the Cloquette farm.
La Rihoult Clairmarais forest
The Rihoult-Clairmarais forest, known locally simply as the "Clairmarais forest", is the largest forest in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. This national forest of 1200 hectares extends over the two departments (62 and 59) and three municipalities, namely, Clairmarais, Arques and Renescure. Old forest having integrated during Antiquity the immense coal forest spreading over the north of Gaul, the forest of Clairmarais was under the Old regime a seigniorial forest. It will become state property and will be open to all following the French Revolution.
Origins of the name “Rihoult-Clairmarais”
The funny name of the forest of Clairmarais comes to us from two quite evocative terms of the French and Flemish language:
- The term Clairmarais is easily understood by French speakers. It means its proximity to the Audomarois marsh and its waters.
- Rihoult comes from the Flemish term “hoult” meaning “wood” and “ri” evoking hilly land.
Abundant flora and fauna
We find in the forest of Clairmarais many mushrooms, beeches, oaks and a few conifers. It also has a certain wealth of fauna and is known to be rich in game.
The Clairmarais forest includes, among other things, a colony of herons nesting in the trees on the edge of the marsh.
The pond of Archelles
The Archelles pond, also called "Lac d'Harchelles" is the largest of the five ponds in the Clairmarais forest. It testifies to the exploitation of the place during the Middle Ages by the monks, who fished, hunted, traded in wood and extracted peat. "Archelles" once meaning "wicker", it is possible to say that it was also cultivated for winnowing.
The Clairmarais forest, a place of leisure
The Rihoult forest is a popular place for walks in the Audomarois. We appreciate its shaded and landscaped paths, its wild paths, as well as the path surrounding the lake of Harchelles. We walk there, we picnic there, we run and hike there and we have fun with family or friends.
Clairmarais Abbey and the Cistercian farm
Opposite the church stands the remains of Clairmarais Abbey. Founded by the abbot Gonfroi and the tales of Flanders under the impulse of Bernard de Clairvaux in 1140, it was very powerful in its time and had to know a great history. But like many abbeys, that of Clairmarais was destroyed during the French Revolution. Indeed, having become national property, it was bought by a saltpeter who ended up dismantling it in order to resell the stones.
Today, there are only ruins left along the road to Arques.
Near the abbey, you will not fail to notice a huge farmhouse. This is the old Cistercian farm of Clairmarais dating from the 2th century. It now houses reception rooms, the brasserie of the Abbey of Clairmarais and "Les Belles Echappées" where you can rent XNUMXCVs, VW combis and other unusual vehicles to visit the region.
Further towards Noordpeene, we find another old farm occupied by a local company: the Cloquette farm.
La Grange Nature, gateway to Romelaere
On the village square, take Rue du Romelaere. You will arrive 500 meters further on at the gates of La Grange Nature. Ample parking is available.
This facility, managed by the Eden 62 joint syndicate, includes a small tourist shop and an exhibition space on the marshes, the forest and biodiversity from here and elsewhere. It is possible on site to rent an audio guide to visit the nature reserve or an explorer's kit to discover the environment with the family. This small suitcase contains everything you need to appreciate the Romelaere reserve: binoculars, notebook, pencils, maps...
Because the Grange Nature is one of the main gateways to the Romelaere National Nature Reserve. This space of more than 100 hectares spread out between St-Omer, Clairmarais and Nieurlet, presents an incredible richness in terms of fauna, flora and landscapes. Decorated with ornithological observation posts, marked trails and panels explaining the places, the Reserve includes some 2,5 km of paths and 30 hectares of ponds. When one admires the place, it is difficult to imagine that these stretches of water are the product of intensive peat extraction in the XNUMXth century.
Clairmarais church
Enjoying a still very active parish, the church of Clairmarais has recent origins. Indeed, it was not built until 1874 thanks to the conviction and pugnacity of Abbé Limoisin. Wishing the construction of a church in the village, he traveled a long way between France and Belgium in order to collect the donations which allowed the undertaking of the works.
Built in brick, it was naturally dedicated to Saint-Bernard, the founder of the Cistercian order and of the abbey of Clairmarais depending on the same religious order.
Clairmarais cave
At the heart of the Clairmarais forest stands an artificial grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourde. It was built in 1934 following the miraculous healing of the Reverend Father Superior of the Assumptionist community.
The Clairmarais cave, also called the Notre-Dame de Lourde cave, is a place of worship enjoying a certain fervor. Dozens of people come to pray there every day. The August 15 procession is also held there every year.
The hiking trails around Clairmarais
As mentioned above, the village of Clairmarais offers many ideas for hikes and nature walks.
In particular, it is possible to wander in a free circuit on the paths of the Clairmarais forest and around the lake of Harchelles. Lovers of short walks on marked paths will prefer to stroll on the duckboard paths of the Romelaere reserve. The total of these paths does not exceed more than 2,5 km and allow you to walk there for some two hours while appreciating the treasures of nature.
Around the village, experienced walkers and hikers will tackle the basin path. 16,5 km long, starting from La Grange Nature, this 4-hour hike allows you to discover the marsh and its watergangs, the Booneghem area surrounding the Romelaere, the neighboring wet meadows, the village of Nieurlet and the forest of Clairmarais.
Clairmarais vegetables
Clairmarais is renowned in the region for its market gardeners, and also (necessarily) for its vegetables. Located in the lowlands of the Audomarois marshes, Clairmarais has extremely rich loamy soil allowing the cultivation of around fifty vegetables. Many Sunday walkers linger on the village square and along the road to Clairmarais to do some shopping.
Our advice: there are individuals selling the surplus from their garden and real market gardeners offering vegetables from Clairmarais at more affordable prices than in supermarkets. Beware, however, of certain stalls taking advantage of the reputation of the village to sell fruit and vegetables from Rungis or the Lomme Market!
To do around the village
Tourist destination of the Audomarois marshes, the village has several lodgings, BnB, a campsite and two restaurants: La Baguernette and Al'Cabane.
There is also a brasserie which can be visited by reservation (Brasserie de Clairmarais) and the Belles Echappées. Located on Chemin des Murs, along the enclosure of the Abbey farm, this company allows you to rent unusual vehicles to discover the surroundings. You will find mopeds, tandems, Californian bikes, 2cvs, combis from the 60s… so many must-haves!
Finally, it is possible to visit the Clairmarais marshes by boat or on a guided tour on passenger boats thanks to the ISNOR pier (today O'Marais).
The water market
Four times a year, Clairmarais and ISNOR organize their traditional market at the water's edge or on the water. In this last configuration, the producers truly transform the traditional bacôves and escutes into stalls!
These markets are an unmissable local event. You can buy charcuterie, vegetables, cheese, an artisanal knife, books... All in a natural and rural atmosphere.
To learn more, visit the Facebook page here village
All the answers to your questions about the village of Clairmarais
Clairmarais owes its existence to the founding of its Cistercian abbey in 1140 by Bernard of Clairvaux, an emblematic figure of medieval monasticism.
Gonfroi, accompanied by twelve monks, was sent from Clairvaux to establish this new house in a landscape then dominated by a marsh. The name "Clarus Mariscus" (the Clear Marsh) was thus given in reference to this "marsh with clear waters". Over the centuries, the locality has been designated in various forms - Claromaresch, Clarus Mariscus, Cleirmaresc, Clairmarets - testifying to the linguistic evolution between Oiil, Flemish, Dutch and Picard.
The monks of Clairmarais Abbey played a crucial role in the development of the Audomarois marsh. By extracting peat, draining the land and creating canals, they transformed this marshland bristling with forests into a structured space composed of more than 15 plots and 000 km of canals. This engineering work prefigures the landscape organization that still characterizes the region today.
For nearly 600 years, the abbey saw the passage of 59 abbots who contributed to its grandeur and embellishment. However, the French Revolution marked a decisive turning point: in 1790, Clairmarais became a commune in its own right while the abbey, symbol of ecclesiastical power, was destroyed and sold as national property. A hamlet, La Cloquette, was erected as a commune between 1790 and 1801, attesting to the administrative transformation of the territory.
Today, only ruins remain of this magnificent Cistercian abbey, vestiges of a glorious past. The commune is also home to the Rihoult Clairmarais national forest and the Romelaëre national nature reserve, which attract many visitors. The Notre-Dame de Lourdes grotto, a major pilgrimage site on 15 August, bears witness to the continuity of religious fervour in the region. In addition, Flemish, a language once widely spoken, persisted until the XNUMXth century, recalling Clairmarais' deep ties with Flemish culture.
During the First World War, Clairmarais was also the scene of military events. In February 1916, Clairmarais airfield hosted Squadron No. 20 of the Royal Air Force. An incident involving an armed biplane, which crashed near Rexpoëde after hitting a telephone wire, marked this troubled period, although the airmen suffered only minor bruises. This rich past, mixing spirituality, landscaping and military issues, continues to shape the identity of Clairmarais.
The built heritage and historical monuments of Clairmarais include:
- Former Cistercian abbey founded in 1140 by Bernard de Clairvaux. Destroyed during the Revolution, its ruins have been listed as historical monuments since December 2, 1946. The protected elements include: the remains of the entrance to the abbey with the gatehouse and the foreigners' buildings, the farm with its entrance gate, its lodgings and its staircase turret dating from 1680, its agricultural buildings and its dovecote. The remains of the abbey and the farm are located on the road to Arques.
- Cistercian farm of La Cloquette: facades and roofs of the small 27th century pavilion listed as historical monuments since June 1991, XNUMX. This farm is located on rue du Grand-Nieppe.
Other heritage elements
- Memorial
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, an important place of pilgrimage on August 15, located along the departmental road in the forest sector.
- The Rihoult Clairmarais state forest
- Romelaëre National Nature Reserve (formerly regional, became national on February 7, 2008).
- The Saint-Bernard chapel – lost heritage – the chapel was demolished in January 2017 due to its advanced state of disrepair.
- Clairmarais church dedicated to Saint Bernard, dating from the end of the 19th centuryth century.
The history of the church of Clairmarais is closely linked to the history of the Cistercian abbey that preceded it. The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Clairmarais was founded in 1140 by Abbot Gonfroi and the Count of Flanders. It flourished for several centuries before being destroyed during the French Revolution.
After the destruction of the old abbey, the commune of Clairmarais was created and wanted to have a new church. The construction of the Saint-Bernard church began in 1873. This red brick church in neo-Gothic style is topped with a bell tower and a spire, and has pointed arch windows with concrete lintels.
The chapel and adjoining house were blessed in 1877.
The Saint-Bernard institution, also called Alumnat de Jésus-Naissant (now defunct), was built thanks to the intervention of Father Limoisin. It opened its doors on November 6, 1974 before closing less than a century later, in 1960.
Located three kilometers from the church of Clairmarais, the Notre-Dame de Lourdes grotto was built in 1937-38 by Father Vivien and Father Jean Louis Balme, with modest means (bicycle frames, iron bars, stones and cement).
Its origins date back to 1875, when the Assumptionist Fathers established a school for young seminarians, training a generation of schoolchildren, some of whom would become bishops. In the 1936s, Father Superior Gustave Ranson, seriously ill, underwent a partial ablation of the stomach, a first in surgery. The community vowed to build a replica of the Lourdes grotto in thanksgiving if healing occurred. Healing occurred, giving birth to this place of devotion.
Every August 15, the day of the Assumption, several thousand pilgrims gather to pray and recite the rosary.
In a collected, sometimes festive atmosphere, prayers of request and thanksgiving, as well as gestures of fraternal sharing, offer everyone a moment of comfort and healing.
Lake Harchelles, located in Clairmarais in Pas-de-Calais, is actually a pond with a surface area of approximately 3 hectares. It is located in the heart of the Rihoult-Clairmarais forest, a site managed by the National Forestry Office (ONF).
This pond has an ancient history, having been exploited by monks since the 9th century for peat and fish. Today, it is mainly known for its fishing and leisure activities:
- Fishing : The pond is a no-kill fishing site, meaning all fish must be released. It stocks a variety of species including carp, pike, perch, roach, rudd and bream.
- Walk : A path circles the pond, offering an easy walk of about 25 minutes.
- Relaxation : The place is described as ideal for recharging one's batteries, offering a peaceful natural setting.
The name Harchelles comes from the word Harchelles, which, in old patois, means “wicker”.
The Rihoult-Clairmarais state forest, commonly called Clairmarais forest, covers approximately 1200 hectares in Pas-de-Calais, near Saint-Omer. Its history is the result of the union of two separate forests: on the one hand, the Clairmarais forest, formerly the property of the abbey founded around 1140, and on the other hand, the Rihoult forest, a royal domain.
The region, marked by significant prehistoric occupation, was once home to an immense charcoal forest described by ancient chroniclers and Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars. The Clairmarais forest is one of its remains.
In the early Middle Ages, when the forests were in decline since the conquest of Gaul, the region was renowned for its marshes and vast woods, crossed by the Roman road linking Thérouanne to the sea. A warmer, oceanic climate in the Carolingian era (around 800) allowed the sea to reach Watten and salt water to almost touch Saint-Omer. In the 160th century, the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Bertin de Sithiu and the Cistercians drained the Audomarois marsh, creating a network of interconnected ditches, the remains of which can be found in the current XNUMX km of watergangs.
The wood from the forest was exploited to build, under Baldwin VI between 1054 and 1092, the defensive ditch "Noeuf Fossé", which formed the boundary between Flanders and Artois for a long time. In the heart of the forest, the Harchelles pond, exploited since the XNUMXth century for peat, game, and fishing, also bears witness to ancient management of natural resources.
The forest has also served as a refuge and a theatre of combat – from the Vikings to the Franco-Flemish clashes, including the Hundred Years' War – and, during the Second World War, a German airstrip was built on Haut-Arques.
Furthermore, renowned for the quality of its wood, it supported the activity of charcoal burners, lumberjacks and sawyers from neighboring localities, thus permanently establishing its role in the regional heritage.
Clairmarais offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors, from campsites to lodges and B&Bs. Here is an overview of the possibilities:
Campsites
Camping Le Clairmarais : A 4-star campsite with 137 pitches, open from February 1st to December 15th. It offers pitches for mobile homes and caravans, as well as a heated indoor swimming pool. 1 Rue du Romelaere, 62500 Clairmarais – 03 21 38 34 80
Campsite Beausejour : Located on rue Michelet in Arques, near Clairmarais, this campsite is suitable for families with activities for children and hiking trails. 03 21 88 53 66
Guesthouses
The Moulin Rouge : A renovated family gîte that can accommodate 4 people, located in the heart of the Audomarois marsh.
The Clos De Marie : A gîte for 4 people, ideal for a stay in the heart of the marsh.
Reserve : A charming cottage that can accommodate up to 15 people, with a large garden and many amenities such as a sauna. Rue du Romelaere in Clairmarais – 07 86 12 96 43
Bed & Breakfasts
Several bed and breakfast options are available around Clairmarais, including:
- The Nasturtium Farm – 9 Rte de Watten, 59143 Lederzeele – 06 62 33 10 59
- The Abbey enclosure in Saint-Omer – 19 Rue des Moulins, 62500 Saint-Omer – Telephone: 06 98 09 98 90
- The Margueritte Villa in Saint-Omer – 80 Bd de Strasbourg, 62500 Saint-Omer – 06 83 70 78 36
- Caps and Marais Guest House Opal – 11 Quai du Commerce, 62500 Saint-Omer – Telephone: 03 21 93 89 82
Hotels
Although not located directly in Clairmarais, several hotels are nearby:
- Hotel Restaurant Le Chic O Rail in Saint-Omer – Place du 8 mai 1945, 62500 Saint-Omer – Telephone: 03 21 93 59 98
- Mercure Hotel in Saint-Omer – 2 Pl. du Vainquai, 62500 Saint-Omer – Telephone: 03 21 38 25 78
- Ibis center hotels in Saint-Omer – 2 rue Henri Dupuis – 03.21.93.11.11
- Ibis budget hotel in Saint-Omer – Avenue Charles de Gaulle – 33 3 21 11 07 62
- Hotel-restaurant les Frangins in Saint-Omer – 3 Rue Carnot, 62500 Saint-Omer – Telephone: 03 21 38 12 47
- Hotel-restaurant l'Industrie in Saint-Omer – 22 Rue Louis Martel, 62500 Saint-Omer – Telephone: 06 72 42 03 08
For motorhomes, although no specific area is mentioned in the search results for Clairmarais, the campsites in the area generally welcome this type of vehicle. Check with the Clairmarais campsite as well as the Beauséjour campsite.
Saint-Omer also has a campervan area located on rue de Belfort.
In Clairmarais, you have several options for eating and drinking, from traditional restaurants to friendly bars. Here are some recommendations:
- La Baguernette tavern – Address: 3 Rue du Marais, 62500 Clairmarais
- At the Cabin – Address: 39 Rue du Romelaëre, 62500 Clairmarais
- The Piquinettes, open-air restaurant-estaminet of the Faiseurs de Bateaux, located in the Lyzel marsh, on the Clairmarais road in Saint-Omer (2km from the center of Clairmarais). 06 .08.09.94.88
Visitors can also enjoy the many restaurants in Saint-Omer, close to Clairmarais, offering even more choices in terms of gastronomy. These establishments offer a nice variety of options to satisfy all culinary desires during your stay in Clairmarais and the Audomarois marsh.
Clairmarais and its surroundings offer several options for walks and short hikes for nature lovers. Here are some suggestions:
- The Romelaëre Ponds National Nature Reserve : An easy and accessible walk, ideal for observing local flora and fauna.
- The “La Cuvette” trail : A 17,1 km route starting from Grange Nature, allowing you to discover the varied landscapes of Clairmarais and Nieurlet.
- The walk in the Clairmarais forest : A hike through forest trails and around the Harchelles pond.
- The “Discovering the Audomarois marsh” circuit (or Booneghem trail): A 6,86 km hike (about 2 hours) that combines the crossing of the Clairmarais market garden marsh and the Romelaëre Nature Reserve. This route offers the opportunity to observe many birds and includes the attraction of chain ferries to cross the canals (available from March 15 to September 5). Find the route on Video hiking.
These walks offer a variety of landscapes, ranging from wetlands to forests, and are suitable for different levels of walkers. They allow you to fully enjoy the natural and historical wealth of Clairmarais and its surroundings.
The “O”ld Race, rock concerts and a large gathering of American cars at the Clairmarais Abbey – often held in mid-June. In addition to the concerts, the event includes a re-enactment of vintage races on a dirt oval, bar/restaurant stands and activities for the whole family.
There are several ways to visit the Clairmarais marsh:
Boat
In Clairmarais or nearby, two piers offer boats and canoes for hire as well as guided boat tours: ISNOR and Boat Builders (– 43 route de Clairmarais 62500 Saint-Omer – 06.08.09.94.88)This last company, labeled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, is also the last shipyard in the sector to manufacture escutes and bacôves.
Hiking :
Marked trails allow you to explore the marsh on foot, particularly near the Etangs du Romelaëre Nature Reserve (bittern trail, basin trail, Booneghem circuit, etc. see “hikes” section on this page).
Personalized guided tours:
Passionate guides lead tours to discover the fauna, flora and heritage of the marsh. This is particularly the case for group tours within the Romelaere reserve where outings can be led, on request, by nature guides from La Grange Nature (Eden 62). La Grange Nature also presents a calendar of unusual outings each year.
Discovery of the river heritage along the Aa and Neufossé
Departing from the town of Arques, discover the river world and experience crossing the Fontinettes lock on board a boat (contact ISNOR at: 03 21 39 15 15)
The Romelaëre Reserve, located in the Caps et Marais d'Opale Regional Natural Park, has its origins in the exploitation of a peat bog since the Middle Ages. Peat extraction intensified in the 19th century, gradually transforming the landscape into bodies of water and ponds interconnected by channels, and creating a haven for rich biodiversity.
Over the years, the site has become a conservation issue. Classified as a Voluntary Nature Reserve with the support of the Audomarois Regional Nature Park since its first protections, it benefits from sustainable management measures aimed at preserving local fauna and flora. In 2008, it obtained the status of National Nature Reserve, covering an area of 104 hectares. Today, the Romelaëre Reserve is a key place for regional biodiversity and an observation site for the public. This natural space, rich in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, welcomes visitors every year wishing to observe the fauna, admire the vegetation and understand the evolution of this territory, shaped by centuries of exploitation and conservation.
To get to Clairmarais by bus, it is possible to take the bus thanks to the transport service Mouvéo. :
Line 5 serves Clairmarais (Mairie stop) and connects Saint-Omer to Saint-Martin-lez-Tatinghem. Buses run from Monday to Saturday, offering connections with other lines on the network to reach towns such as Arques, Blendecques, and Longuenesse.
Timetables and Information: Bus timetables can be found on the website Mouvéo or at the Clairmarais town hall. It is recommended to check the opening times in advance, as they may vary depending on the day.
