You’ll love:
- The terrace perching the water
- A wild and peaceful place close to the city
- The welcome and attentions of Marie-Pierre, the host
- The gourmet breakfast
- The spa illuminated by candlelight
- The walk in the marshes of Saint-Omer
Perfect for self-catering holidays in France, Lodges de Malbrough are a haven of peace nestled away in the midst of several hectares of greenery and water. Hidden away amidst trees and plants, the hugely comfortable wooden lodges are independent gites created by Marie-Pierre on stilts over a pond. Relax into a deckchair on your terrace and let the sun’s rays warm your face. Listen to the wind rustling the leaves and watch the Japanese fish swim slowly round and round…
Despite being so close to the town centre, the silence is complete, and you’ll feel far from the world – making this perfect for couples looking for some peace and quiet. Your host has thought of everything you need for a truly relaxing break: beds made on arrival, bath towels, bikes, deckchairs, a griddle… In the morning, your hearty home-made breakfast is set up in your lodge or in the garden. Marie-Pierre will even prepare you a romantic dinner (with extra charge).
Forget everyday cares with a lazy session in the 37°c hot tub, illuminated by candlelight –the height of romance! When you manage to extract yourself from this bubble of pleasure, Marie-Pierre recommends a gourmet meal at La Table d’Alice just 15 minutes away, with an upscale but accessible menu featuring 100% local produce. More typically Flemish are the several estaminets (bistros) in the area, such as in Cassel (just 25 minutes away): traditional food and ambiance are guaranteed!
If you’re feeling active, canoe on your own little lake or ride a bike past the Aire-sur-la-Lys nature reserve with its wildlife. Twenty minutes away, you can also follow the walkways of the Marais d’Audomarois – famous for its cauliflowers and its Tilques carrots – or discover its allotments by traditional flat-bottomed barge. The Art Deco city of Béthune is right nearby too. Enjoy a stroll admiring its unusual, colourful facades and its UNESCO-listed belfry (climb it to hear its joyful bell).
Heading back to the lodge, you’ll also be taken by surprise by the charming town of Aire, where the remains of its fort and Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture all rub shoulders on its Grand’Place, in its own UNESCO-listed belltower and in its town hall. Aire is a true feast for the eyes.
Insiders Tips
Get in touch with the locals! They live on site and know how to make the most of your stay. They'll be happy to answer your questions and help you build a tailor-made, off the beaten path itinerary.
The Ring of Remembrance
Close to the battles of Artois, I invite you to take another look at the centenary of the Great War, because in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, it is no longer a question of nations, allies or enemies. With the ring of Remembrance, one of the greatest memorials in the world, it is 500 sheets of metal on which are engraved, in alphabetical order, without distinction of nationality, rank or religion, the names of 579606 soldiers now combined Forever in a common humanity. Here the quiet seizes the visitor. I recommend you climb the hill on foot, from the parking of the memorial 1418 in Souchez, before entering the ring, it takes 15 minutes before arriving on the plateau and when the night goes down, the impression is even stronger.