Azincourt is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region, 30 km east of Montreuil-sur-Mer.
Its territory of 8.5 km² is green and slightly hilly, presenting a landscape that evokes the grove. However, composed of a small town and a hamlet, Bucamps, in the south, it is for the battle that took place on October 25, 1415 that the locality remained famous.
That day, during the Hundred Years War, French troops with more than 10 to 15,000 men wanted to block the Calais road to the English army commanded by King Henry V who landed in August in Harfleur and renounced to advance on Paris. The English resigned themselves to cross the English Channel to return to their island. Surprised by the French, they resist on a muddy ground where horsemen and knights of the French nobility are not at ease. Thanks to the skill of their archers, the English finally defeat the French army...
Since 2001, a museum space has helped to understand the context and the unfolding of this historic battle.
A walk through the now peaceful countryside surrounding the village of about 300 inhabitants will complete the one-stop program at Azincourt, which is also close to major tourist sites in the region (seaside resorts on the Côte d'Opale, Louvre Museum -Lens).
In terms of heritage, outside the museum, one will like to discover in Azincourt the beautiful church Saint-Nicolas erected from the end of the XVIIe century to the first years of the XVIIIe century (the date of 1702 is visible on the steeple). It was built with materials from one part of the previous church, affected by fire, and the remains of the seigniorial castle. Gothic Revival style (openings and vaults in broken arch), the church has a bell tower porch with four levels beautifully crafted: the first is pierced by a portal semicircular, the second by a rose. Note that it was planned in the nineteenth century to build at the level of the brick transept a Gothic chapel honoring the memory of French soldiers who fell in 1415, but the project was abandoned. A sundial and a columbarium (which is rare) are located on the south side.
On the hamlet of Bucamps, an eighteenth century church modest bill is nevertheless worth a look, and we also distinguish many crosses, calvaries and oratories on the territory. The very particular history of the locality probably explains this abundance...
It is then time to visit the medieval historical center, opened in 2001, which allows to plunge back more than 600 years back, and to understand thanks to a modern museography (interactive map, 3D video) the unfolding of the battle which lives the English to defeat the French. It is explained how, in spite of their numerical inferiority, Henry V and his men, better armed, more dexterous, composed with the geography of places and were able, with their long-range bows, to surprise the French knights. Armaments and period armor are on display.
An observation tower was also erected to visualize the different stages of the battle.
The Medieval Historic Center is currently closed for work and must reopen before the end of 2019. During the construction, a temporary museum is accessible, housed in the former school of the town.
In the usual period, the historic center will be called "Azincourt 1415" and is open every day (except Tuesdays from November to March and from December 23 to the first weekend of January). Price: 5 and 7.50 euros. Information on +33 3 21 47 27 53.
It is also possible to go to the site of the battle, that historians are located halfway between the village of Azincourt and the towns of Tramecourt and Maisoncelle, to the northeast. Panels are located there.
These places full of history and bloodshed, whether French or English, can punctuate a hike in a setting, however, now green.
Other circuits are possible to enjoy landscapes soothed and evoking the grove, typical of Montreuillois. Maps and information on +33 3 21 86 19 19.
