1 The Cathedral: 5 The Saint-Omer Municipal Library: 9 The Moulin à Café Theatre: "It's certainly the emblematic building of our city. Like all Saint- “This is the finest library in the Pas-de-Calais department, and one “This is the old Saint-Omer town hall, built in 1834. It has a the ENriCH team Omer natives, I am very attached to our Cathedral of Notre- of the oldest. I love going, because its “private club” atmosphere theatre under its dome. I regularly come here to watch the Dame. My favourite part is its astrolabe...how its mechanism works feels timeless.” - Anaïs performances.” - Laura is a mystery.” - Laura SAiNT-OMER 6 The Sandelin Museum: 10 The Saint-Omer Brewery: Laura Schrive, 23 SAiNT-OMER th 2 The ruins of Saint-Bertin: “This is a converted former townhouse from the 18 century. In “The Saint-Omer brewery was founded in 1866 and markets its I come from Saint-Omer. A big fan of “This is the old heart of the city, as Saint-Omer was built around summer, I like strolling through its French formal gardens.” - Anaïs beers all across the world. You can even visit it at certain periods. history and architecture, as well as it almost 1000 years ago! I like coming here when the weather is - Marie a lover of good beer. In life, I want... 7 The Maison du Marais: nice to enjoy the gardens.” - Laura Favourite place: the Duchenot tavern, #paysdesaintomer “There is an exhibition area about the history of the marsh and a 11 The Jesuit Church: the perfect place for lovers of local beers. 3 The Station: tasting area where you can sample local products. You can also “An impressively large church that will make you look up! A sacred “Saint-Omer’s railway station was built in 1904 and restored in take a tour of the Saint-Omer marshes on board a traditional local architectural gem in the city of Saint-Omer, freshly restored in 2019. I often go there with friends to attend workshops and digital boat known as a bacôve.” - Sarah 2017. I often go there to see exhibitions and events.” - Valentin Marie Louchart, 25 training courses.” - Laurette 8 The Motte-and-Bailey Castle: I’m from Helfaut. I like travelling and 4 The Public Park: “During the 18th century, this was a military prison. Today, the castle discovering new cultures! “It’s the green lungs of the city! Saint-Omer residents regularly go has become an artists’ residence and a cultural location. Festivals there for a stroll. This park was created after the city’s ramparts and events are organised here.” - Sarah Need to take a little break? Try the best th pancakes and waffles in town atLa Fringalette. were dismantled at the end of the 19 century.” - Valentin You can also have a meal, with pizzas, pasta, chips and more on offer. Valentin VANDENBERGHE, 18 I am a student in Saint-Omer. I like learning new things and travelling. I love new technologies and music. The Spey River is the perfect spot for having a Some key dates in good time. It has a wide choice of drinks and a friendly atmosphere typical of the North of the history of Saint-Omer France. Sarah Singer, 23 7th century AD: 1792: 7 I live in Saint-Omer. I like sport and The Abbey of Saint-Bertin is Abbey of Saint-Bertin destroyed. creative activities, especially sewing and founded at the initiative of This is a consequence of the scrapbooking. Bishop Audomar (also known as French Revolution, which Aux Merveilleux sells meringues garnished St. Omer). At this time, the city is forbids religious orders. The with whipped cream. The ‘Merveilleux’ is a known as ‘Sithiu’. ruins become a quarry for the traditional sweet pastry from the North of th construction of new buildings. France, the recipe for which was perfected by 10 century: Fred Vaucamps in 1985. A real treat! The city of Saint-Omer adopts its modern name, in homage to 1834: Bishop Omer, its founder. Town hall with on-site Italian- 3 Laurette Royer, 22 10th-13th century: style theatre built. This building, I’m from Nordausques. I love going to the designed by the Parisian The city thrives and grows restaurant in Saint-Omer, and photographing architect Lefranc, is built using thanks to the cloth trade. the countryside in Clairmarais. stone from the former Abbey of 1214: Saint-Bertin. The Maison du Marais is one of my favourite Following the Battle of Bouvines, places. I love going there to try out local 13 May 1943: Saint-Omer, which had been products, take a boat trip in a bacôve through Shelling in rue d’Arras causes the Flemish, becomes for a while a 2 the marshes and admire the scenery, and above death of 115 people. French city. all to spend time with my family or friends there. 9 July 1340: 5 September 1944: Anaïs Bouchez, 18 Siege and battle of Saint-Omer. The city of Saint-Omer is This battle is one of the first in I come from Saint-Omer. I am very fond liberated from German the Hundred Years War, which of discovering new cultures and occupation thanks to Polish raged between the French, the new countries. troops and local resistance English and the Flemish. 6 groups. My favourite: the Jesuit Chapel, not only 4 for its historic beauty but also for the wide 1477-1677: range of activities it offers for all ages. There March 2000: The city of Saint-Omer is the are exhibitions, shows and even concerts! The Regional Natural Park of the subject of several struggles for This Chapel has a new surprise in store every Caps and Opal Marsh is created its possession between France 5 weekend! to protect the region's natural 1 and the Netherlands. and cultural heritage. 1553: 28 May 2013: The Abbey at Thérouanne is The Saint-Omer marsh is 8 destroyed by Emperor Charles V. labelled by UNESCO, thus becoming the first biosphere 1677-1678: reserve north of Paris. Siege of the city of Saint-Omer 15 July 2018: The 3 squares and shopping streets of Saint- by Philippe of Orléans, younger Saint-Omer residents take to Omer city centre have restaurants, bars, shops, a brother of King Louis XIV place Foch to celebrate the (March-April 1677) and Treaty of cinema, the Tourist Information and Convention victory of the French side in the Nijmegen signed (1678), Saint- Office and more. football World Cup. Omer officially becomes French. CARTE ENRICH UK.indd 1 21/08/2020 12:37:49 Londres 6 Éperlecques Getting to The Blockhaus Canterbury “This was built by the Germans during the Second World War and Cultural calendar was intended for use as a base for launching V2 missiles.” - Laura Saint-Omer Bruxelles Saint-Omer 7 Helfaut February-March: La Coupole Funfair: By plane/By TGV Lille “This major museum is devoted to the Second World War and is There are a host of different rides for thrill-seekers and plenty of located in a bunker from the period. I go there often, especially The closest airports are Lille (Lesquin), Brussels (Zaventem), sweet stalls. to watch films at the Planetarium.” - Marie Charleroi (Brussels South), Beauvais, Paris (Charles de Gaulle) April: and London. 8 Houlle “Hungry Color”: Amiens There are fast trains (TGV, Eurostar, Thalys) or shuttles that run The Persyn distillery This event is a festive and colourful expression of solidarity and to the train stations of Lille (coming from Brussels, Charleroi, “This distillery was founded in 1812 by the Decocq family and features artists and DJs! Paris or London), Arras (coming from Paris) or Calais Fréthun has survived in our region for over 2 centuries. It keeps local (coming from London or Brussels). know-how alive and can be visited by anyone wanting to get a May: glimpse behind the scenes!” - Laura “Sous les pavés l’art”: The eccentric and zany street arts festival in Saint-Omer. By TER regional train 9 Thérouanne Paris June: From Lille, Arras and Calais, there are regional trains (several The Archaeological Museum trains run every hour at peak times) to Saint-Omer station. The “This museum was built recently to house some of the Music Festival: journey takes around 50 minutes from Lille, 30 minutes from archaeological digs into the rich past of Thérouanne, which A large number of small concerts, DJ sets and open stages in the Calais and 1 hour 20 minutes from Arras. Saint-Omer train can look back on over 2000 years of history and 1 century of different town squares of Saint-Omer. station is close to the city centre (10-15 mins by foot). archaeology. The archaeological site itself is a little further on and is packed with fascinating treasures from the past!” - “L’été en Fête”: Valentin Every year, a French star comes to Longuenesse to give a free show By car to an appreciative audience! Saint-Omer is close to several major motorways: the A26 (Calais- 1 Aire-sur-la-Lys The Saint-Omer “Ch’ti délire”: Reims), the A25 (Dunkirk-Lille) and the A16 (Dunkirk-Amiens-Paris). 11 km of madness, with a course dotted with natural obstacles or Aire-sur-la-Lys town centre ones created by the organisation. It is a real “obstacle course” that is “The town’s central point is the Grand’Place, which is in fun and friendly to run, climb and crawl your way through! the same architectural style as the town hall and the Belfry, which will make you look up in wonder!” It is also a town in the July: countryside, with its borrow pits forming a beautiful natural Jaaz Festival: setting.” - Laurette 6 This festival's programme is aimed at bringing jazz culture to the Getting around 2 Arques general public.