A geological site recognized as a patrimonial interest
Dug in the chalk landscape of the North of the “Boulonnais”, Mimoyecques’ Fortress is not only a Memorial but also a remarkable protected site in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais .The entrance of the site is surrounded by an incredible chalkface of 150 meters long up to 20 meters high.
You can clearly see several levels of rocks (chalk, flint, marl…) which reveals part of the history of the region, 88 million years ago when the sea covered the area.
Up to 500 bats are recorded on the site:
The underground galleries where each winter an average of 350 bats is registered represent one of the most important sites of hibernation to the North of Paris. On the 22 species known in the surroundings, 10 are regularly observed in hibernation, 4 of them are particularly remarkable ( The pond bat, The Greater horse shoe bat, The Geoffroy’s bat ,The grater mouse-eared bat ).As the site is close in the winter bats find favorable conditions for their hibernation : peace- moisture- stable temperature( 10 to 12 ° C).
This remarkable natural wealth is the source of the regional Nature Reserve of Mimoyecques ‘Fortress.
Owner and manager, the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels du Nord et du Pas-de-Calais works to preserve this unique heritage.
The tourism development of the site, provided by la Communauté de Communes de La Terre des 2 Caps, helps a lot of visitors to discover its natural and historical heritage.