Tilques is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department, in the Hauts-de-France region, bordering to the north-east of Saint-Omer.
Its territory, with an area of just over 7 km², has a bucolic and verdant character, covered with cultivated land (71%), meadows (14%) and wetlands (5.5%). The latter, to the north of the locality, constitute one of its specificities. This is the southern part of the marshes of Saint-Omer. These have been shaped by men since the Middle Ages and are now made up of fields and vegetable farms surrounded by canals, small islands that are sometimes inhabited and large ponds with exceptional flora and fauna.
Fief to the lands bitterly disputed in the Middle Ages between the abbey of Saint-Bertin and the local lords, including Guillaume de Billeke, Tilques retained his rights and in the 13th century, Gautier de Tilques became one of the peers surrounding the Bishop of Thérouanne.
Nowadays, the municipality of about 1100 inhabitants which remains turned towards agriculture also highlights its heritage (church, castles) and has developed its tourist offer linked to the marshes (campsites, hiking trails, etc.).
A walk in the form of discovery of the heritage of the town can begin with its parish church of the Sacred Heart. Its existence is mentioned from the end of the 13th century but despite alterations, after having served as a saltpeter's pit during the Revolution, the building is considered to be almost in ruins at the beginning of the 19th century. The bell tower was rebuilt in 1848 and in the 1860s the nave was restored in a neo-Gothic style by the Lille architect Charles Leroy. He chooses for materials red bricks and supports in white stone. Note that a bell dated 1515 is still preserved. Information on +33 3 21 93 64 82.
Next, the Château d'Ecou, whose origins date back to the 13th century. It then belongs to Lord Willelmus of Ekout. Remodeled in the 15th century, it passed to the Lord of Wasquehal in 1595 and shortly before the Revolution the building became the property of the Taffin family of Tilques who kept it until the beginning of the 20th century. Very affected during the Second World War, the castle then benefited from a careful restoration carried out by Joseph Philippe. The old medieval fortress, which had become a pleasure residence, was then freed of certain additions dating from the 19th century according to the fashion of the time, which revisited the architectural styles of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The property is always private. Listed in the Inventory, it is open to the public from time to time, especially during Heritage Days in September. Inquire on +33 3 21 98 08 51.
This heritage overview concludes with the Château du Hocquet, built in 1891 in a style typical of neo-Flemish architecture. It then succeeded a 17th century manor which was the seat of a stronghold originally attached to the bailiwick of Saint-Omer then acquired by the Taffin family until the Second World War... At the Liberation, the estate housed a seminary dedicated to vocations late. Nowadays, a luxury hotel is installed there. If you don't go to the restaurant or the hotel, the castle can be admired from the outside... Information on +33 3 21 88 99 99.
Then make way for "nature" leisure and the charms of the marshes... You can thus visit two traditional market gardening operations established there. These are the Cressonnière de Tilques, specializing in particular in the cultivation of old-fashioned watercress (contact on +33 3 21 12 68 87 or +33 6 86 22 93 19) and La Tilquoise, which produces carrots and fruit in the heart of this unique environment (join +33 3 21 93 24 81).
A specific hike is also proposed to understand this part of the territory. The Lansbergue trail that connects Tilques to Serques is 6 km long (about 2 hours of walking). Along the course of the Lansbergue, one discovers the wet meadows, the crops, the network of canals and some typical dwellings that can only be reached on board age-old boats, the "bacoves". These unique landscapes are also home to specific fauna (birds) and flora... Other hiking trails lead to Saint-Omer and other sites. Maps and information from the tourist office on +33 3 21 98 08 51.
Note that the marsh can also be explored aboard a boat or even by canoe or kayak. The Relais du Marais offers boat rentals, including family boats for picnicking in the heart of this amazing environment… Open Tuesday to Sunday. Information on +33 6 03 37 71 68.
The first weekend of July: garage sale on Saturday and ducasse (traditional local festival) on Sunday with fun and musical entertainment.
The second weekend of October, wedding fair at the Château du Hocquet.
