4 © Lœil de Iannick. 5 SAINT-OMER’S REGION: 6 A LAND OF HIDDEN WONDERS elcome to the Saint-Omer region, a meeting The human adventure began here with the Celtic people of point… Morini who bravely stood up to Caesar. A Gallo-Roman city W Where the chalk hills of the Artois blend into the was founded in Thérouanne, later to become the seat of one plains of Flanders and the coastal plains reclaimed from of the most powerful bishoprics before being abandoned the sea. With its many springs, rivers and wetlands, water and left uninhabited. Its neighbour Saint-Omer took up is ever-present here. It is what gives the countryside its lush the torch around 1000 AD and became one of Europe’s greenness and rich variety of wildlife. main trading towns around 1300 then an important seat of learning from the 16th century. It is also a land of Over the centuries, men have tamed the Its central place industrial adventures, and the anti-chamber of waters of the rivers and marshes, thus forging in history is the hostilities of two world wars. many different landscapes to be enjoyed on illustrated by the foot, by bike, by boat or even by steam train! richness of its Its central place in history is illustrated by the heritage. richness of its heritage: from Gothic architecture The old Roman roads from England, Flanders to its monumental 20th century bunkers, from the treasures and France have converged here since ancient times, when of its museums and libraries to the folklore of the wetlands merchants, pilgrims, scholars and priests flocked to the region and the rich interiors of its churches, not to mention its forests, which has also been the scene of many a battle. heathlands, riversides and marshes. 7 A LAND OF (HI)STORIES There would be many legends in this land of art and history. © Lœil de Iannick. here is a special atmosphere in Pays de Saint-Omer. with it, and that the famous composer Monsigny was born in Legends seem to stop curiously at the corners of the Fauquembergues. The inhabitants say that from the UNESCO- T streets inspired by Flanders and England. It is often said listed Belfry in Aire-sur-la-Lys you can see a collegiate church that Thérouanne is where this land was born, and many say with a vault still decorated with stars. Historians would also that it first arose fourteen centuries ago with the arrival of agree that the legendary Royal Air Force was created here in four monks appointed by the good king Dagobert. It is even 1918 and that this is where the legendary pilot Douglas Bader whispered that one of the signatories of the United States was captured during the Second World War. From the road, Constitution came to study here, that a Shakespearean you could also see strange sites that could have changed treasure lies dormant at the library, that an astrolabe clock the course of the war with the V2 rocket: La Coupole and the - with one of the oldest mechanisms in the world - is hidden Eperlecques bunker. Yes, there would be many legends in this in Saint Omer Cathedral and that the Marseillaise has a link land of art and history, if they were not quite simply the truth. 8 © Lœil de Iannick. 9 A (WET)LAND Setting foot on a boat or a “bacôve” barge is… © Lœil de Iannick. t is hard to describe a journey for which the words watching the carp, and finally get the rest that you need, lack the magic. Setting foot on a boat or a “bacôve” feel the power to slow every second to take the time to I barge, the traditional vessel of the marshland, is like think. You get back in touch with nature, come close to the taking a step towards a promise, into a fabulous labyrinth small “islands” that are still inhabited, meet the postman - which has been recognised by UNESCO - where market doing his morning rounds by boat, shiver when you hear gardeners work to produce their famous cauliflower. You the legend of Marie Groët, and then step off the boat and find yourself stunned as a majestic heron flies overhead, continue your dream on foot or by bike. you watch the swans watching the fishermen who are 10 A LAND OF EXPERTISE © Lœil de Iannick. Here industry opens its doors and small producers welcome you to share their passion. he marshland is man’s work and water has done the Saint-Omer and take a tour of the Goudale brewery. A work of man. In the Pays de Saint-Omer, humans have few kilometres away, discover the last traditional Genièvre T lived with water to make paper and glass from Arc, at distillery where the famous Houlle is made. Here industry the home of the world leader in table decoration. Mankind opens its doors and small producers welcome you to share has transformed water to make this one of the biggest their passion. brewing areas in France. Come and taste the beers of 11 A LAND OF CULTURE his marshland has always struck me as a wild Venice. that evokes the Shakespeare Days in May or the “Sous les In the town of lovers the gondoliers sing out: the Pavés, l’Art” Festival during Pentecoste. It is the rhythm that T Barcarolle. This gentle music has given its name to the stops at Espace 36 before continuing at Sandelin Museum establishment that manages live performances in the Pays then skips a beat in all of the exhibitions across the region. de Saint-Omer. Culture is a melody, but it is also a play, It is a hit heard at the Scénéo complex, in the AREA space a circus performance, a dance or a tale. It is a couplet or at the beautiful Salle du Manège in Aire-sur-la-Lys. This marshland has always struck me as a wild Venice. © Lœil de Iannick. 12 A LAND OF LEISURE © Lœil de Iannick. There are even rides for the youngest children. hen our area is like an enormous theme park. of wind turbines at Enerlya, visit the Planetarium area of The Pays de Saint-Omer is like an enormous La Coupole or watch the shows at Bal Parc. Come and W theme park. Come and pedal on rails, get away discover the capital of this area: Dennlys Parc where more from it all on a Solex bike, a 2CV, a Segway, by plane, than 30 attractions offer the whole family a day they on horseback, swimming, on the Trotti-Trail, try go-karting will never forget. There are even rides for the youngest or take a ride on a steam train. Come and take control children. 13 A LAND OF SPORT This land has boundless energy. © Lœil de Iannick. his land has boundless energy. It has chosen its tribe: complex and the Brockus rink where Rink-Hockey is an the sportsmen and women. They began settling in institution. They created their champions like Adrien Van T Lumbres, its surroundings at the “Maxi-Verte” Trail Beveren, three-time winner of the Touquet Enduro. And station for mountain bikers then formed the famous Aa finally, as was bound to happen, they achieved two major Saint-Omer golf club, the best in France. exploits: hosting two major sporting events in 2017: They walked the magnificent footpaths, often as a family, - The French road cycling championships from 22 to 25 ran the Chti Délire, Hungry Color and one of the Fontinettes June. or the Marais races, took a Ch’TyranoTour… - The European Kayak Polo championships from 22 to 27 They then took over the sports fields, the horse riding August. 14 © Lœil de Iannick. 15 A LAND OF HOSPITALITY All of that is waiting here for you… © Lœil de Iannick. iscover the odour of the dish cooked in a French mere joy of being there. Bask in the odours of coffee and family on Sunday, the taste that mixes with the baking bread, and feel dew drops on grass with your D laughter of guests. Find a room where you can bare feet. Discover the market with its never-ending stalls, revel in the sound of silence, where stars are too numerous tasty vegetables and the smell of roasting chicken. Step to count. Wrap yourself in white sheets, on a soft pillow through the door of the restaurant where the smiling owner ready to gather your dreams. Be awakened by the garnishes your dishes. Meet the people who stop to say gentle caress of a ray of sun that slips through the barely hello and offer you information or just for a chat… All of parted curtains to wish you good morning. Get carried that is waiting here for you… away by a magical view. Listen to birds singing with the 16 A LAND OF EVENTS © Lœil de Iannick. The year itself is a continuous event. ettle in a deckchair to watch the sun set over the Cortège Nautique and its amazing water parade. In a beautiful marsh, then cast your eyes down to the Pays de Saint-Omer, even the andouille sausage is S discover the greatest jazz musicians playing free celebrated in Aire-sur-la-Lys. This event in September is a of charge for your entertainment. Welcome to the Jaaz real institution with the “jet d’andouilles” (when the Mayor Festival de Saint-Omer, a unique moment when music tosses sausages to the crowd) and when a huge concert is becomes as one with magical places in mid-July.