Billy-Berclau (; ) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France.

Geography

A small town east of Béthune and southwest of Lille, at the junction of the D163 and N47 roads. It is situated at the junction of the Canal de la Deûle and the Canal d'Aire. Light industry and a little farming have replaced the coal mining of the past.

History

The town was completely destroyed during World War I. On 27 March 2003, an explosion at the dynamite factory killed four people.

Population

Sights

  • The church of Notre-Dame, rebuilt, as was most of the town, after World War I
  • The remains of a Prévôté building (once belonging to an abbey)
  • The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery
  • A German World War I cemetery

See also

  • Communes of the Pas-de-Calais department

References

  • Official website of Billy-Berclau
  • Website about Artois
  • The CWGC at the communal cemetery