The village was created by a private collector who rescued abandoned historical buildings from the surrounding region to prevent their destruction.
The collection includes functional vintage machinery and tools from the early 1900s.
The site acts as an open-air conservatory for traditional rural architecture specific to the Pas-de-Calais region.
Many of the items on display are original items donated or collected from local families over several decades.
Saint Joseph Village is a reconstructed 1900s-era rural French village located in the countryside of Pas-de-Calais. The site serves as an open-air museum and amusement park, featuring a collection of authentic historical buildings relocated to the premises. Visitors can explore various traditional workshops, including a bakery, schoolhouse, forge, and pharmacy, all furnished with period-appropriate artifacts. The site emphasizes local heritage and the lifestyle of the early 20th century in Northern France. It functions as an immersive educational park rather than a conventional thrill-ride amusement park. The grounds are expansive and include recreated streetscapes that allow for self-guided historical tours. It is situated in the commune of Guînes, near the Opal Coast.
The central village square, which captures the architecture of the recreated storefronts in one frame.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the village features cobblestone paths and uneven historical flooring.
Plan your visit for a sunny day, as the experience is primarily outdoors and walking-intensive.
Bring a camera, as the period-accurate interiors and storefronts provide unique historical photography opportunities.
Do not attempt to touch or handle the historical artifacts inside the buildings, as many are fragile original pieces.
The park is seasonal; it typically remains closed during the winter months and reopens in the spring.
