South of Maubeuge there extends an undulating landscape of bocages, where prairies alternate with ponds and orchards. The River Helpe Majeure and River Helpe Mineure wind through the meadows and slate-roofed villages. The abbeys of Maroilles, Liessies and St Michel set up mills and forges at every body of water. Industry developed here in the 18C and 19C: glassworks at Sars-Poteries and Trélon; woodturning at Felleries; spinning mills at Fourmies. Today these workshops are outposts of the Avesnes Ecomuseum.