Throughout Picardy, a fascinating reflection of surface life exists. Scores of villages are mirrored underground by ‘villages’ which include houses, stables, stores and streets. Locally they are known as Muches from a regional word meaning ‘hidden’. Because of their defensive importance, they are often undocumented but enthusiasts are recording what they know and learning more each year. Evidence points to the Muches being constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries as refuges during the Franco-Spanish Wars. During these wars, the Spanish occupied the Low Countries and attacked France from the north east. Soldiers and mercenaries roamed the area and stole their food from local farmers. The Muches are within the area where the battle lines of the war ranged over the period of the conflict.
Most of the sites are located under or very close to Churches as these would be the strongest buildings. In addition the Church Tower could be used as a lookout. Livestock and foodstuff as well as the residents were hidden underground when conflict came near. If the enemy were to gain access, they would find darkness, twisting passages and low ceilings, putting them at a disadvantage to those who knew the layout. The Muches are constructed under streets and common ground as in France landowners own everything underneath their own property.
Sub Brit visited Hiermont in 2002, by kind permission of the Mayor. The muches are entered from just outside the church - it’s possible that at one time the entrance point lay inside the church building itself. There is a stepped descent, mirrored by a stepped ceiling. The lining of the entrance passage (lower levels are in native rock) are thought to have been re-used from nearby Aumale Castle.
Local records show the muches were completed in 1648 and around 75 small rooms lead off two main corridors after the descending passage levels out. The shelter was used by the Allies in World War II.
Even today the muches are in active use but by roosting bats. The site is home to two species of bat - the greater mouse-eared and the notch-eared bat. For this reason the site is securely gated and entrance strictly controlled.