The village of Eperlecques is one of the largest in the Audomaroise region. Located between Audomarois and Calaisis, Eperlecques extends over 2550 hectares! This area includes 750 hectares of forest and 230 hectares of marshes, including old peat bogs recognized for their environmental interest.
The village of Eperlecques also has the particularity of being divided into eight hamlets. Its 3700 inhabitants are divided between: the Mont, the Ganspette, the Contredique, Hellebrouck, the pauverstraete, the Sart, Bleue Maison and Loosthouck.
In addition to the Audomarois marshes where it is good to navigate, Eperlecques is particularly popular with visitors for its forest and its hiking trails, its church and the famous blockhouse of Eperlecques (former base V1 and V2).
History of Eperlecques
Éperlecques, a commune in Pas-de-Calais, has an ancient history deeply rooted in the Audomarois region. Its name, of Germanic origin, appears from the early Middle Ages, testifying to an ancient occupation probably linked to the Franks. The village developed around the Éperlecques forest, which played a central role in local life, both for its timber and for hunting and natural resources. From the 12th century, Éperlecques depended on the castellany of Saint-Omer, which reinforced its strategic and economic importance in the region. Remains of feudal mounds, old farms, and chapels bear witness to this historical richness. Agricultural activity, particularly livestock breeding and cereal cultivation, lastingly structured village life. The Second World War also left its mark on the territory with the construction of the famous Éperlecques blockhouse by the German army.
The blockhouse of Eperlecques
The Eperlecques forest is home to a site from the Second World War: a blockhouse covered with a 7m-thick slab, which represents 130000 tons of concrete! This gigantic structure was built by Nazi Germany, which employed prisoners from concentration camps and French people in the Compulsory Labor Service (STO) for this purpose.
This bunker, also locally called "Watten's bunker", was formerly codenamed Kraftwerk Nord West. Built between 1943 and 1944, it was initially intended as a launch base for V2 missiles. The aim was to bombard London and the south of England, at a rate of 36 shots per day. The Eperlecques blockhouse was therefore designed to house 100 missiles at a time. It would also have hosted a liquid oxygen plant and a small station allowing the delivery of missiles from Germany.
Fortunately, this disastrous plan could not be accomplished thanks to the incessant bombardment of the allies within the framework of Operation Crossbow.
The blockhouse has been listed as a historic monument since 1986. It now houses a museum dedicated to the V1 and V2 missiles. It thus echoes another Audomarois museum dedicated to the occupation and the 1939-1945 war: the Dome of Helfaut, located a few kilometers away.
The church of Eperlecques
The church of Eperlecques, dedicated to Saint-Léger, dates from the XNUMXth century. Its high and wide white stone tower, dating from the XNUMXth century, dominates the village. Gothic in style, it contains some beautiful pieces of sacred furniture, including the organ case from the old church of Lederzeele.
Near the church and the school of Eperlecques, a house bears a plaque recalling that Winston Churchill would have spent two nights there during the Great War, in 1914 and 1917. It was once a former café.
The forest of Eperlecques
The forest of Eperlecques, as its name suggests, extends largely over the town of Eperlecques. More precisely on an area of 750 hectares. Another hundred hectares of forest is located in the neighboring town, Ruminghem.
Mostly private, this forest located on the edge of the Audomarois marsh has 70 hectares acquired by the department. A path crossing it also allows everyone to reach the town of Watten. It is on this path that the Notre-Dame des Trois Cayelles chapel is located.
Composed mainly of oaks, hornbeams and beeches, the forest still bears the scars of the Allied bombings targeting the Blockhaus of Eperlecques during the Second World War.
The chapel circuit
Eperlecques presents a remarkable religious heritage testifying to past devotional practices. A time when we did not hesitate to erect chapels in gratitude for a cure, a found child, or for any other good news associated with a miracle. Here is the list of chapels that can be found on the circuit of the "route des chapels". These are the chapels:
- Saint-Pierre (Saint-Pierre street)
- From the Virgin (rue du Pavillon)
- Our Lady of Lourdes (rue de l'Eglise)
- Our Lady of Miracles (rue du Mont)
- Du Gandspette dedicated to “Our Lady of the Snows” (rue du Gandspette).
Away from the circuit of the chapels, hikers and pilgrims do not pass through Eperlecques without stopping at the chapel known as "Les Trois Cayelles". The latter, located in the heart of the forest of Eperlecques, is still the object of pilgrimage on August 15.
Around the village
Eperlecques is located just north-west of Audomarois. The village is bordered by two communes of the marsh: Watten and Houlle. Other villages, not integrated into the marsh, border this commune: Muncq-Nieurlet, Ruminghem, Holque, Bayenghem-lès-Éperlecques, Mentque-Nortbécourt.
Camping in Eperlecques
The village has three campsites:
- The Château du Gandspette (133 Rue du Ganspette). Pitches for tents and mobile homes on an 11 ha castle estate, 2 swimming pools, gym and restaurant.
- Ranch Car Estate (Rue du Ranch).
- Campsite Le Mont (Route d'Audruicq).
All the answers to your questions about Eperlecques
The history of Éperlecques spans more than a millennium, but it was mainly marked by the Second World War.
Gallo-Roman remains have been discovered in Éperlecques, attesting to an ancient past. Archaeological excavations have in fact found pieces of pottery, coins and other objects from the Gallo-Roman era. Two Roman roads crossed the village: these roads are at the location of the current Grande Rue to the north and the Grande Leulène to the west.
During the Middle Ages, Éperlecques underwent several changes of ownership:
In 821, Count Gerard gave the estate to the monastery of Saint-Winoc.
In 1071, Robert the Frisian, Count of Flanders, ceded Éperlecques to Eustache, Count of Boulogne.
The castle of Éperlecques, for its part, played an important role in the history of the town: taken by the French in 1487, retaken by the Burgundians in 1489, it was captured again by the French in 1542. In 1627, the lordship belonged to Charles Philippe Alexandre de Croÿ. But the castle was definitively destroyed in August 1639 by Marshal de la Meilleraye.
Contemporary period
The Second World War had a profound impact on Éperlecques:
In 1943, the Germans began construction of a huge blockhouse for launching V2 missiles at England. The construction site was bombed 25 times by the Allies between August 1943 and August 1944, fortunately preventing its completion.
Today, the Éperlecques blockhouse has been a listed historical monument since 1985. It now houses a museum.
Local development
The municipality was the first in the region to create gravel and macadam paths.
It was formerly the capital of a district comprising several surrounding communes, from Muncq-Nieurlet to St-Martin-au-Laert.
Eperlecques has a rich built heritage and several historical monuments:
The Eperlecques Blockhouse: Built by the Germans in 1943, the Eperlecques blockhouse was a launch base for V1 and V2 missiles. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1985, it is the largest blockhouse in northern France. Open to the public since 1973, it houses a war museum.
Church of St. Leger
Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows: Founded in 1715 and rebuilt in 1845, it is located in the hamlet of Gandspette. It is built in red-barre (alternating chalk and red brick).
St. Peter's Chapel (Saint-Pierre street)
Chapel of the Virgin (Pavillon Street)
Chapel of Our Lady of the Three Cayelles (in the Eperlecques forest).
Chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua: between Eperlecques and Ruminghem.
Other historical sites
War memorial: Dedicated to the children of Eperlecques who died for their country.
English Cemetery: With commemorative plaques unveiled on August 21, 2016.
Eperlecques has a remarkable religious heritage bearing witness to past devotional practices, notably through its many chapels.
The Saint-Léger church in Eperlecques has a rich history spanning several centuries:
The current building dates from around the 15th century, making it an important example of the region's medieval architecture. In the 16th century, a powerful white stone tower was added to the church, becoming one of its most distinctive features. The organ case, which is said to come from the church of Lederzeele
The church is an example of Gothic style, surrounded by tombs like many other churches in the area.
The Saint-Léger church has survived over the centuries, while other important buildings in Eperlecques have disappeared. Today it is part of the Sainte Mère Teresa parish in Morinie.
The Éperlecques blockhouse, also known as the "Watten bunker", is an imposing vestige of the Second World War located in the forest of Éperlecques, in Pas-de-Calais.
Built by Nazi Germany between 1943 and 1944, its code name was Kraftwerk Nord West (KNW). Its purpose was to serve as a launch base for V2 missiles targeting London and southern England.
It was designed to accommodate over 100 missiles at a time and launch 36 per day! It was also to house a liquid oxygen plant and a bomb-proof station.
The work began in March 1943 and was carried out by forced labourers from concentration camps and French conscripts (STO). Everything was supervised by the Todt Organisation.
Quickly spotted by the Allies thanks to the Resistance, it suffered some bombardments:
- First bombing on August 27, 1943 by 185 USAAF Flying Fortresses
- Numerous bombings between August 1943 and August 1944 as part of Operation Crossbow.
Due to these attacks, the building was never completed. The order to abandon it was given on July 3, 1944, and the bunker was captured by the Allies in early September 1944.
Reconversion and post-war
Today, the Éperlecques blockhouse is an important historical and tourist site, offering visitors a striking insight into the history of the Second World War and the German ballistic program. Open to the public since 1973, it was also classified as a Historic Monument in 1985.
Yes, it is possible to visit and walk in the forest of Éperlecques. The forest is a forest massif of 900 hectares, of which 70 hectares were acquired by the department. A large part of the forest remains private property.
The forest's rugged terrain is the result of World War II bombing raids on the nearby blockhouse.
Several marked trails allow you to discover the forest:
- Salamander Trail (1,3 km)
- Grande Boucle trail (2,6 km)
- Marie-Jo and René Fenet trail (0,8 km), accessible to people with reduced mobility
The forest is home to a diversity of animal and plant species, including deer and owls.
There is no pier to visit the marsh at Eperlecques. However, here are some options in the surrounding area:
- The Boat Builders (in Saint-Omer, 12km away) – guided boat tours, self-guided tours, waterside tavern – 43 route de Clairmarais 62500 Saint-Omer – 06.08.09.94.88.
- Isnor: cruise ships, free visits in Clairmarais (12 km). 03 21 39 15 15
- The House of the Marais: museum and guided tours (11 km) – 03 21 11 96 10
- The Audobarquoise: guided tours 11 km away (Saint-Martin lez Tatinghem) – 06 08 09 65 86
- The Good Welcome: In Salperwick (8km) – +03 21 38 35 14
Hiking around Eperlecques:
- Two short routes near the Blockhaus (1,5 km or 3 km)
- Two circuits marked by the Tourist Office (approximately 10 km and 14 km), starting from rue de la mairie
- Chapels circuit (10 km, not marked)
See the website of the Eperlecques town hall to find out more, and Video hiking
MTB route:
- 18 km circuit “At the edge of the woods”, marked by the Caps et Marais d'Opale Natural Park, departure from the Tourist Office.
Eperlecques offers several accommodation options for visitors:
Gîtes:
Cluse Gite : 89 Rue du Cluse, 62910 Éperlecques. Ecological cottage for 4 people, 2 bedrooms. 06 75 05 06 60
Alex's Clos : Contemporary gîte a few kilometers from the marshes of Saint-Omer. gite-le-clos-d-alex.fr/
Sperleka Forest Lodge : Located in a stud farm, offering spacious spaces.
The Liette: In the centre of the village on a working farm.
Guest rooms :
The Clos Boutenelle : 51 Rue de Gravermesch, 62910 Éperlecques. 06 37 74 22 85
At the Feuillantines Audomarois Marsh: 61 Rue d'Hellebroucq, 62910 Éperlecques. 06 88 87 24 59
Camping:
Ranch Car Estate : 2-star campsite located on the edge of the Eperlecques forest, offering 162 pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Located on rue du Ranch in Eperlecques – 03 21 88 48 84
Gandspette Castle Campsite: located at 133 rue de Gandspette, 62910 Éperlecques – 03 21 93 43 93
Camping le Mont – Located on the Audruicq road – 03 21 93 22 76
Here are some options for eating and drinking in and around Éperlecques:
The Eperlecques Pizza Kiosk : Pizzeria offering take-away pizzas.
At the good ap : pizzeria and chip shop in Eperlecques. Located at 56 Rue du Mont, 62910 Éperlecques – 03 21 98 03 70
Town Hall Cafe : A café that also serves as a PMU bar. Located on rue de la Mairie – 03 21 88 90 89
The Sulky : A PMU bar and café. Located at 60 Rue de la Gare, 62910 Éperlecques – 09 67 43 17 47
At the Artois Rally : Located in Houlle, near Eperlecques, this restaurant offers traditional French cuisine. 31 Rte de Watten, 62910 Houlle – 03 21 93 12 82
Restaurant at the Loisel Farm : Located in Houlle, this restaurant offers traditional and semi-gastronomic French cuisine. 11 Rue d'Hellebroucq, 62910 Houlle – 03 21 95 35 24
To get to Éperlecques by train, you can take a TER Hauts-de-France to Watten-Éperlecques station. This station is served by trains running between Lille-Flandres or Hazebrouck and Calais-Ville. Watten-Éperlecques station is located on the Lille to Calais line, between Saint-Omer and Ruminghem stations.
TER Hauts-de-France trains provide regular connections to Watten-Éperlecques. The journey from Lille-Flandres takes approximately 52 minutes. The station has a passenger building open from Monday to Friday, ticket machines, and parking for cars and bicycles.
Network bus Arc en Ciel: Line 904S of the Arc en Ciel network also serves Watten, near Eperlecques.
