ROUTE DES EGLISES FORTIFIEES DE THIERACHE – ANTHENY

History and wars have forced the inhabitants of Thiérache to fortify their buildings. On this soft and hilly land, the churches are fortified castles, the farms are bastions and the noble residences are citadels. The wealth of heritage here is exceptional. History has given the population no choice but to fortify churches and houses to protect themselves from the troops who scoured the region during the Hundred Years War in the 17th century. Today, the fortified churches with corner towers, dungeons, loopholes and watchtowers bear witness to this tormented history. The steelings of battle died down and gave way to an atmosphere of age-old calm and peace.