Petite-Forêt is a town in the North, in the Hauts-de-France region, a few kilometers north-west of Valenciennes, which it borders on.
Despite its name, its territory of 4.5 km² only has a third of agricultural land, meadows and forests for 45% of urbanized areas. In fact, the demography of the locality, boosted by the proximity of the long industrial poles of Valenciennes and Raismes, steadily increased in the 20th century, reaching now nearly 4,900 inhabitants.
Until the beginning of the 19th century, Petite-Forêt was only a hamlet dependent on Raismes, to the north-east, then became the municipality of Petite-Forêt de Raismes in 1801 and quite simply Petite-Forêt in 1865.
Des brasseries® are then established, but despite exploration of the subsoil, there will be no mining in the locality.
Place of pilgrimage from the 17th century after the construction of an oratory and the arrival of the Jesuits and the founding of a Carmelite convent, now disappeared, Petite-Forêt is nowadays a small town within the framework of preserved life and the offer of extensive "nature" and cultural leisure activities.
In terms of heritage, the current parish church dates from 1897. The previous one had been destroyed during the Revolution. As for the Carmelite convent founded in the 17th century, it was dismantled. However, the church still preserves the small terracotta statue of the Virgin which was the object of pilgrimages after the foundation of a modest oratory by young college students led by Jesuits in the aftermath of the Reformation. First nestled in the hollow of a tree, then sheltered in a real church (17th century), Our Lady of Good Hope would then have caused miracles. Throughout the Ancien Régime, thousands of pilgrims flocked to Petite-Forêt every year.
Other heritage testimonies from the quite recent history of the town, the first schools, the town hall and some old houses in the center of the town (19th century).
More astonishing, during a walk, one can always observe here and there "swallows", indicated by terminals or plates: these are mining wells which were not exploited probably because of the difficulties encountered. 'would have generated the extraction of minerals.
On the leisure side, Petite-Forêt's major asset is undoubtedly the Espace Barbara, a cultural center that programs high-quality shows throughout the year (theater, concerts, dance galas, cinema screenings) attracting a public from all over the Valenciennes region, but also hosts music and dance schools, artist residences and exhibitions. Festivals are also organized. Information on +33 3 27 34 86 53.
The site also houses the Denis Diderot media library where activities are frequently offered (readings, workshops, meetings): information on +33 3 27 33 58 40.
For athletes, a futsal club is located in the town (information on +33 6 82 69 62 19). It is also possible to join the outings of the cycling club (contact +33 6 28 73 66 05) or the walks offered by the association of local walkers (join +33 6 99 58 15 71).
For hikers, if the forest of yesteryear has receded on the surface, routes crossing the green areas of the locality are nevertheless available, not to mention larger loops to go south towards Valenciennes or to the north towards the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park. Maps and information from the agglomeration tourist office on +33 3 27 28 89 10.
