Geocaching and hiking

Geocaching

From the Bonavis farm, come and discover geocaching

This hobby consists of using the satellite geopositioning system (GPS) to search for a specific location called a "geocache" or "cache" in various places around the world.

On foot, using your phone, you will set off in search of these unusual caches throughout your walk, and you will discover our beautiful countryside.

It's great fun for young and old.

It's easy, fun and exotic.

Hikes departing from Ferme de Bonavis - Tours on request

1- Hike around Vaucelles Abbey: 10 km: easy level

2- Riqueval underground tunnel hike: 22 km: easy level

1 - HIKE AROUND THE ABBEY OF VAUCELLES: 10 KILOMETRES ROUND TRIP

On foot from the Ferme de Bonavis, turn left to reach the village of Banteux then go to the town hall, cross the bridge and turn left onto the right bank. You will arrive at the hamlet of Vaucelles. Pass in front of the Abbey. A visit is a must. This Cistercian abbey, listed as a Historic Monument, is located in the Haut-Escaut valley in the commune of Les Rues des Vignes, 10 km from Cambrai and 24 km from Saint-Quentin. This monument is one of the most prestigious in the North of France. The Vaucelles Abbey, as it appears to you today, remains an extraordinary construction both in terms of its dimensions and the quality of its restoration and its cultural influence. Stroll through the magnificent gardens.

Continue the hike along the D96 departmental road then, when you reach the woods, turn left towards the village of Les Rues des Vignes. Take the left bank of the canal to return to Vaucelles then take the D96 departmental road which goes up to Bonavis

2- HIKE ON THE UNDERGROUND CANAL OF RIQUEVAL

From Bonavis Farm on foot: When exiting, turn left for 100 meters then turn left and go down towards the village of Banteux then cross the road and take the small path which leads to the canal and turn right along the right bank of the canal.

From the Farm to the tunnel entrance on foot 22 kilometers round trip

CANAL CREATED BETWEEN 1801 AND 1810

This oldest tunnel preserved in Picardy is today the only place in the world where the towing system (towing barges by chain) is still practiced.

The Saint-Quentin canal at its entrance into the tunnel.

The Saint-Quentin Canal was inaugurated in 1810. From Saint-Quentin to Gauchy, from Saint-Quentin to Cambrai, it linked the Oise, the Somme and the Escaut, before the opening of the Canal du Nord. It had a remarkable feature. To join Riqueval and Vendhuile, Napoleon imposed the digging of a 5.67 km underground passage. This passed under the villages of Bellicourt and Bony and made it essential to tow or tow barges by chain.

Made between 1801 and 1810 under the direction of engineer ANGayant, the Riqueval tunnel was inaugurated by Napoleon I in April 1810. The tunnel was crossed using towboats. It is the oldest preserved tunnel in Picardy and is, today, the only place in the world where the towage system (towing barges by chain) is still used.

What is a toueur?

From the beginning of the 19th century, the question of towing the boats that used the canal arose. The winch boat system, or tug, was therefore adopted. Initially, it was powered by horses arranged in a riding arena on its deck, then a steam engine was installed on board, before an electric motor was installed in 1910. This tug – 25 m long and 5 m wide – was capable of towing 32 barges, loaded with coal for example.

At an average speed of 2.5 km/h, the tugboat pulls itself along a chain – 8 km long and weighing 96 tonnes – which is wound around a capstan located on the bridge. This rests at the bottom of the canal and is fixed at each end of the tunnel. The tugboat pulls in its wake a "row" of boats, whose engines must be turned off for the crossing of the underground canal.
Each crossing of the tunnel lasts more than two hours, a moment of conviviality at the time for the boatmen who frequent the place.

At the time of its bicentenary, the Riqueval tugboat, which has become a living museum, still hauls two oars of barges and other pleasure boats per day. Since the opening of the Canal du Nord and the drop in traffic on the Saint-Quentin Canal – 1,600 barges in 2002 – Voies navigables de France has discussed the project of installing a mechanical ventilation system in the tunnel, allowing boats to cross it using their engines in the tunnel.