Recques-sur-Hem is a town in Pas-de-Calais, in the Hauts-de-France region, 25 km south-east of Calais.
Crossed by the course of the Hem, its territory of 5.4 km² presents some relief on its northern part, ensuring the transition between the last slopes of Artois and Flanders.
Offering a still very rural face with 85% of agricultural land, the locality which has been occupied by man since prehistoric times has come from the end of the first millennium to the county of Guînes. In the Middle Ages, there are no less than three castles in Recques which experienced varying fortunes during the Hundred Years War, and only that of Cocove, which was rebuilt in the 18th century, is still visible today. It must also be said that during the Thirty Years' War, which opposed the French and the Spaniards, the village was still very affected.
Nowadays, the town has some 630 inhabitants and we will make a pleasant stopover to discover its heritage and take advantage of its green environment, suitable for hiking, within the Regional Natural Park of the Caps et Marais d'Opale.
Regarding religious heritage, the parish church of Saint-Wandrille of Recques-sur-Hem was rebuilt after the Wars of Religion and the Thirty Years. The vaulted nave and the choir thus date from the second half of the 17th century, the bell tower having been added in 1881. Inside, in addition to the processional banners, we notice the high altar in painted wood and the side altars with 19th century varnished wood altarpieces, works of a local craftsman, the baptismal font in veined marble and a glass chandelier in the center of the nave also dating from the 19th century. On the other hand, on the black marble font, the mention "Recques 1697" was inscribed.
Another element of interest, the Notre-Dame-des-Bois chapel, which is the subject of a pilgrimage on August 15. The current building dates from the 19th century and replaced a chapel destroyed during the Revolution keeping a marble statue of the Virgin which originally, according to legend, was simply sheltered in a tree trunk. It is a wooden replica which is now presented…
Besides the monument to the fallen of the two world wars and the graves, in the cemetery, of Commonwealth soldiers recalling how much the region suffered in the 20th century, it is then the castle of Cocove which is worth mentioning. It was built in 1741 for Jacques Becquet de Cocove, lord of the place and magistrate in Calais, no longer having anything to do with the medieval fortress of this former stronghold... It is an example of the neoclassical style of 18th century, overlooking an 11 hectare park. When troops were gathered around Boulogne for a hypothetical invasion of England, under the First Empire, Marshal Ney gave large receptions here… Then, at the beginning of the 20th century, a distillery was established on the estate. However, this industrial unit did not withstand the Second World War. The whole (castle and park) was bought in the 1980s and restored according to the rules of the art. The site, protected as historical monuments, now houses a luxury hotel establishment. Without being a client, the noble silhouette of the castle can be seen from the outside. Information on +33 3 21 82 68 29.
On the cultural side, storytelling readings are offered regularly on Saturdays at the library: information on +33 3 21 35 60 53.
You can still enjoy the bucolic landscapes of the countryside: after the An orchard planted in the center of the village, a number of paths allow you to explore the gentle reliefs of the territory, the meadows and the banks of the Hem for example. Knowing that larger loops can lead to the coast... Maps and information on +33 3 21 10 34 60.
In addition, the Regional Natural Park of Caps et Marais d'Opale regularly programs themed hikes, exhibitions and workshops: contact +33 3 21 87 90 90.
