Nature
Féron is part of the 8,144-hectare Natura 2000 protected area “Forêt, bocage, étangs de Thiérache”. This area includes forests, wetlands, ponds, and meadow and bocage landscapes. Among other species, it is home to black storks, red-backed shrikes, kingfishers, ospreys, eagle owls, and black kites.
History and Architectural Heritage
The first written mention of Féron dates back to 1095, in a deed of donation from Thierry d’Avesnes to Liessies Abbey.
The tower of the fortified Saint-Martin Church was heightened in 1614 and fitted with loopholes. The church became a parish church around 1627, and its choir was rebuilt in 1784. Since 10 February 1948, Saint-Martin Church has been listed as a historic monument.
At the hamlet of Pont-de-Sains, Philippe de Lallis from Glageon founded a forge in 1581. Liessies Abbey developed the forge industry in connection with Féron; in 1791, it still owned a blast furnace at the hamlet of Rue Heureuse. Talleyrand acquired the Château de Pont-de-Sains after the confiscations during the French Revolution and had a wing added in 1808, followed by another storey in 1829.
The Chapelle Lejeune has been listed as a historic monument since 23 February 1951.
Things to Do
The “Route du lait bio” route in Féron offers treasure-hunt elements, quiz questions, puzzles, and local stories as an interactive experience for families or friends.
The route description indicates the car park at the ESAT Ferme du Pont-de-Sains equestrian centre as the starting point. The route includes a stop at Ferme du Piopot, where visitors can read explanations via the Baladavesnois app.
At the ESAT Ferme du Pont-de-Sains cheese dairy, visitors can enter the viewing corridor when the cheese dairy is open and discover how Maroilles is made. When the cheese dairy is closed, the workshop can be viewed through two external glass doors.
Regional Products
In Féron, a producers’ market organised by “Marchés de l’Avesnois” takes place in the village square on the second Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ferme du Pont de Sains produces organic Maroilles and Flamiche and sells the farm’s own products as well as regional products directly from the farm.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Féron can use this to focus on choosing their own accommodation.
Other places to compare: Annœullin, Maresches, Socx, Aulnoye-Aymeries, Éclaibes, Hondschoote, Villeneuve-D'ascq, Artres.
