Solesmes

Solesmes is a town of about 5000 inhabitants which preserves a noteworthy patrimony. Its history had been for a long time linked to the church one. In fact, from the VIII to the XVII centuries, Solesmes and its surroundings belonged to the St Denis royal abbey. It is a little corner of France placed in Empire land. Its rich and fertile lands crossed by the “Selle” had been parcelled out during the French Revolution and had been sold in 1605 at the archbishop of Cambrai. Formerly, the economic activity of the region was linked to the river. During the winter, its inhabitants worked the linen and weaved in the cellars of their houses. During the summer, this textile activity was replaced by the fields works.

Throughout the Selle, we still notice the former curved apertures named “blocures” which opened in the cellars. Today, the water is still present in the town notably in the Abbey street where fountains are transformed into wash-houses. On the square, The St Martin church of 1782 offers a  beautiful façade of a classical style in freestone whereas we notice in the interior, the stoop of the XVI century was used before  as basptismal fonts.

On the side, there is the Town Hall with a neo-Flemish style surmounted by a campanile. The ceremony room which managed to preserve its original decoration, presents a serie of 14 impressive paintings of the painter Henri Eugene Delacroix who came from Solesmes. These paintings recall ages of the life and show the fields works. Walking in the town, you will discover also the bandstand always used by the municipal harmony and former facades over its narrow streets.

Solesmes is also known by its “Seringeux” which risk to spray you at the carnaval’s day!