Maisnières

Maisnières (French pronunciation: [mɛnjɛʁ]; or Maisnières-en-Vimeu; Picard: Mainniére-in-Vimeu) is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France.

In 879, the Normans were pillaging the Vimeu region, but were defeated in 881 by Louis III of France at the Battle of Saucourt, at the very gates of Maisnières.

During the Second World War, the Germans occupied homes, the old presbytery and the château, which served as the Kommandantur.

Only a small part of the motte wall still stands, 35 m long by 25 m high, on the flat top of the hill near the church, dominating the neighbourhood to the south and the west.

[7] A small 16th / 17th château in brick and stone adjoined by a 16th-century chapel with a classical garden covering three hectares (7.4 acres).

There are water features and an English garden and also a flower collection including ferns, narcissus and poppies.

Agriculture is the main occupation within the commune, though in earlier times, sawmills (brought in by the Spanish) and sewing gave work to many of the inhabitants.

[8] Production was principally dedicated to the famous Camembert L'Oiseau bleu, known throughout Picardie and even exported from France.

Dovecote at the Visse watermill
Château of Harcelaines
The church after the V1 fell
The church from the motte
Harcelaines church.