River cruise Aire Flandre Lys (departure from Haverskerque)

• Departure from the Flandre Lys nautical base: 10:00 a.m. (mandatory presence 15 minutes before boarding).
• Duration of the cruise: 1h30 (arrival expected around 11h30-12h00).
• Itinerary (towns crossed, locks and/or structures): Haverskerque, Saint-Venant, Haverskerque/St-Venant red footbridge, Cense lock in Witz, Thiennes drawbridge, Fort Gassion lock, Four Faces basin .

Description of the cruise

In the company of the captain, you will sail on the Lys from Haverskerque towards Aire-sur-la-Lys, for a duration of 1h30 with cruise . Departing from the Haverskerque/St-Venant marina , you will set off to discover the natural riches of the Lys, a cross-border river, and its waterside heritage .

During the navigation, you will be able to observe the biodiversity of the river . The fauna abounds with all kinds of birds living in this ecosystem: kingfisher, duck, heron, moorhen, etc. The flora is also very diverse: reeds, water lilies, water irises, willows, birches, alders, ... During this cruise you will cross the town of Saint-Venant (town with a rich heritage - Manoir de la Peylouse and its park & garden, old fortifications - Porte Vauban -, listed town hall, beautiful 18th century houses, etc. and cross the Thiennes drawbridge to reach Aire-sur-la-Lys , nicknamed the Belle du Pas -de-Calais.

On the route, you cannot miss the red footbridge of Saint-Venant/Haverskerque . Rehabilitated and repainted, it connects the two towns. Nearby you will find an old house (the "house with blue shutters"), typical of Flanders . In addition the commune of Haverskerque has many Flemish houses, also visible on the banks of the Lys.

The river cruise will end at the Bassin des Quatre Faces in Aire-sur-la-Lys, a former trading basin at the crossroads of the Lys, the Aire-La Bassée canal and the Neuffossé canal . The city is currently carrying out work on this site in order to transform it into a real marina.

Free visit to Aire-sur-la-Lys

As soon as you arrive at the Bassin des Quatre Faces , you will be invited to pick up the electrically assisted bicycles made available at the Lys municipal campsite. You will therefore be free to visit the town of Aire-sur-la-Lys via its 16 km of cycle paths in the town center or in Ballastières (ZNIEFF area). Many restaurants, cafes and shops are at your disposal to eat and stroll in the town.

Heritage treasures

The commune of Aire-sur-la-Lys, which is said to have been founded by the legendary hero Lydéric, cultivates a rich folklore. You will find many local specialties there, including andouille sausage (a festival is also dedicated to it in September) and mastelles (biscuits).

The city has preserved remarkable architectural elements dating from the period from the end of the Renaissance to the beginning of Classicism. You cannot miss the Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre and the Bailliage, a former gathering place and garrison located on the Grand'Place and listed since 2005 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chapelle Baudelle, located on the banks of the Lys, and its equipment will allow you to understand all of the heritage of the Air region and to concoct your own visit on foot or by bike.

A real link in the second line of the square meadow established by Vauban (1678), the defenses of the city will be reinforced in particular by the use of valves and locks: in the event of a siege, the city's ability to flood the surrounding countryside was to stop the assailant. The previous century (16th century), Aire-sur-la-Lys became a veritable hub of river trade on the Lys and experienced its golden age: its commercial vocation, supported by its geographical location and the presence of the water, allow it to experience real development.

• Duration by VAE: 1h to 1h30 journey via the banks of the Lys (EuroVelo 5, about 15 km).

After a free visit to the town of Aire-sur-la-Lys, which will also have allowed you to eat, you can take the start via a small detour via Les Ballastières, in order to reach the Flandre Lys nautical base along the towpaths and banks of the Lys. The route followed is the EuroVelo 5 , for which the Department of Pas-de-Calais took charge, during the year 2017, of the progressive development between Aire-sur-la-Lys and Saint-Venant. Under the name of “ Véloroute des Marais ” between La Belle du Pas-de-Calais and Béthune, it integrates the European route named EV5 and links London to Brindisi, in Italy.

On the towpaths and the banks of the Lys, you will follow paths with low gradients, allowing you to fully enjoy the landscapes crossed over the Lys. You will be advised to watch your speed in order to control it as well as possible and avoid any discomfort with other users of the towpaths (pedestrians, other cyclists , fishermen, etc.). Also, you will be asked to respect the paths taken (disposal of prohibited waste, etc.).

The collection of bicycles at the 'La Lys' campsite in Aire-sur-la-Lys can be done between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the latest . Bikes must be dropped off at the Flandre Lys nautical base, in Haverskerque, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the latest .

For the rental of the VAE, you must provide yourself with a deposit* of €300 (check payable to the Public Treasury or cash) or a certificate of legal and financial responsibility; you will be asked to submit a photocopy of your identity document (identity card, passport, driving licence) before your departure by boat; in the event of a family outing (adults-children), only the identity document of the “head of the family” will be requested. This document will be given to you when you return by VAE to the Flandre Lys nautical base. In the event of deterioration of the equipment, the repairs will be invoiced to you. (Online payment by credit card can allow you to be insured for any damage caused to the bike. Please contact your bank to find out if you have this cover.) An inventory will be carried out on collection and return pedelecs via an electrically assisted bicycle rental contract .

*The purpose of the deposit is to guarantee: damage, loss, theft of the VAE or its equipment, which are not covered by the insurance; the insurance deductible and related costs of the owner, as well as any damage to the electric bicycle and its consequences. The amount of the security deposit is €300 for claims, to be deposited before the departure of the VAE.

The safety instructions concerning the use of bicycles will be explained to you on site by an agent from the nautical base. By reserving your place for river cruises, you agree to respect these instructions .

Further information

Aire Flandre Lys river cruises are reserved for adults and/or teenagers. The rented bikes, with a size of 27 inches, are ideal for people between 1.50 m and 1.90 m. The following are available (free): a child seat (≤ 4 years old) and a child trailer (≤ 50 kg); if you need this equipment, please let us know in advance to ensure the loan. In the event of the presence of a child ≤ 1 year old, contact us to benefit from a free place.

The price of 16€ includes

• the 1h30 cruise aboard the boat Flandre Lys (one way with a sailor),
• rental of an electrically assisted bicycle (for the return to the starting point).

Places are limited to 10 people for each Aire Flandre Lys river cruise.

Pets are not allowed to travel on board the Flandre Lys; moreover, the latter does not have toilets on board (toilets are available at the start - nautical base - and on arrival - municipal campsite 'La Lys').

We reserve the right to cancel a cruise in the event of bad weather or a technical problem related to the boat (postponement or refund). In addition, any customer cancellation for weather or other reasons will not give rise to a refund (possibility of postponement depending on available places).

The legal withdrawal period is 7 days after purchase. For any cancellation or postponement, it will be necessary to notify at least 15 days before the cruise date initially reserved; an amount of 5€ will be retained for administrative costs in the event of a refund being requested.

Dates of cruises proposed in the calendar

• June: Saturday 17
• July: every Saturday, i.e. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
• August: every Saturday, i.e. 5, 12, 19 and 26
• September: every Saturday, i.e. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

Access points

Flandre Lys boat : Flandre Lys nautical base (municipality of Haverskerque)

• Postal address: Impasse route Nationale - 59660 HAVERSKERQUE
• GPS coordinates: 50°37'37.6"N 2°32'57.9"E

Withdrawal of bicycles : municipal campsite 'La Lys' located at the Bassin des Quatre Faces in Aire-sur-la-Lys

• Postal address: Rue du Fort Gassion - 62120 AIRE-SUR-LA-LYS
• GPS coordinates: 50°38'37.9"N 2°24'23.5"E

Bicycle depot : Flandre Lys nautical base (municipality of Haverskerque)

• Postal address: Impasse route Nationale - 59660 HAVERSKERQUE
• GPS coordinates: 50°37'37.6"N 2°32'57.9"E

Tourist information

Aire-sur-la-Lys tourist information point (Pays de Saint-Omer tourist office)

• Contact: The Bailliage, Grand'Place / 03 21 39 65 66 / website / airesurlalys@tourisme-saintomer.com