The not-so-stupid question: what is the highest point in Pas-de-Calais?
By Florian Brassart
Published on
the highest point in Pas de Calais is neither in Loos-en-Gohelle despite the presence of large slag heaps, nor in Cap Blanc-Nez. It is well located at Alquinas, a small village located between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Saint-Omer. Her ” pyramid ” amounts to 212 meters from above.
212 meters high
This is transformed into hamlet of Bullescampssummit of the department which brings us to the foot of an imposing chimney which has always intrigued motorists taking the national 42.
According to official city website, this chimney served as a landmark for 19th century surveyors. Some thought it was a brickyard, a mine easel or even a chicory dryer…
It was built on flat or wooded ground to observe and manifest itself over obstacles and “to overcome atmospheric turbulence at ground level”. These so-called geodesic chimneys were – in a way – the ancestors of satellites and GPS.
Today, there are five chimneys of this type in Pas-de-Calais: Fresnicourt le Dolmena Harrya Stasha Saulchoy and to Alquinas. There was a sixth Beaumerie-Saint-Martin but it collapsed in 2017.
A great anecdote to know!
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