Saint-Josse is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region, 10 km south-east of Le Touquet resort.
The village was once lined by the coast, until the seventh century, which explains why it is sometimes called Saint-Josse-sur-Mer, but the coast is now about 5 km away.
The town owes its name to the Breton prince Josse who retired in the seventh century on the territory and lived there as a hermit, thus refusing to be designated sovereign of the northern part of Brittany. A monastery was erected on the place of his death which became a high place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. Already abandoned during the 18th century, the abbey was destroyed during the Revolution. However, the church of the town keeps the relics of the saint.
Saint-Josse now has over 1150 inhabitants. Its heritage and its picturesque character (colorful houses), its rich environment (moors, marshes) make it an interesting stop near the main tourist sites of the Opal Coast.
If the medieval abbey erected after the beatification of Prince Josse, who had returned sight to a young blind man returning from a trip to Rome, has completely disappeared, St. Peter's Church dates for its most interesting part of the sixteenth century. century.
In fact, a Gothic chapel even Renaissance was at that time erected, contiguous to the abbey church. It housed the hunt containing the saint's relics. The abbey demolished, a nave was added to the chapel.
In 1866, a new brick building replaced the nave, the old chapel becoming the choir of the current building. There are graffiti on the outer walls of the choir: they are due to fishermen Etaples and Berck who engraved the registration of their boat during pilgrimages...
The saint's relics are still kept in the church. On the other hand, the shroud which was also enclosed in the shrine, made of oriental cloth, was transferred to the Louvre Museum.
Still architecturally, the picturesque appearance of the town, where many facades of houses are colorful, can be the subject of a pleasant walk.
In terms of natural heritage, the town is close to several areas of ecological interest. This is the case of Sorrus wood, preserved fauna and flora (amphibians), but also the moors of Moulinel, rich in heather. Part of this ensemble is managed by the conservatory of the natural sites of Nord-Pas de Calais.
For hikes integrating or approaching these protected areas or lined with wood and green spaces, including possibly incursions towards the coast, it is possible to join the exits of the local club by contacting +33 3 21 94 60 75.
For autonomous outings, maps and information on +33 3 21 06 72 00 or +33 3 21 06 04 27.
