TOURS OF THE FORTIFIED CHURCHES OF THIERACHE

It is "the work of a people who are hard not to die"; Marc Blanpain's words make sense for the visitor who finds himself in front of one of the 65 fortified churches that hurdles the thiérachien bocage. As a border territory, Thiérache has always resisted the various invasions and waves of looting. The Star competed with ingenuity to build a quasi-military defence system. Flanked by towers, turrets, dungeons, bretèches, échauguettes and murderers, churches were often the only «en dur» building in the village. They served as shelter for men and their livestock. The tours of the fortified churches give rise to these monumental and majestic buildings where ancient, Roman, Gothic and Baroque styles coexist.