Attractions and Places To See around Elnes - Top 20

The Saint-Omer theatre, also known as Théâtre Le Moulin à Café, is located in the former town hall on the central square of the city. Built in a beautiful Italian style, this theatre was restored between 2016 and 2018. It offers a unique and charming venue for small-scale musical, lyrical and theatrical productions.

The brick façade with layers of white natural stone is five stories high and decorated with sculptures. The layout of the ambulatory and the window design refer to the Gothic style. The church was designed by Du Blocq, a Jesuit from Mons, and completed in 1629. It is notable for its high interior, the volutes on either side of the nave, and the narrow square towers on either side of the choir, a Tournai tradition. The chapel is home to the Centre d'Interprétation de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine (CIAP) du Pays d'Art et d'Histoire de Saint-Omer

The Hôtel du Bailliage is a former royal court outside the power of the aldermen. It is an elegant Louis XVI building, decorated with pilasters, Doric capitals, ironwork and floral garlands. Four statues on the balustrade symbolize the cardinal virtues.

The town hall was built between 1834 and 1841 with materials from the church of the Abbaye de Saint-Bertin. At the heart of the building is an Italian-style theatre. The Hôtel de Bailliage is a former royal court that was outside the power of the aldermen. It is an elegant Louis XIV building, decorated with pilasters, Doric capitals, ironwork and floral garlands. Four statues on the balustrade symbolise the cardinal virtues.

This cathedral, the former "Cloître Notre-Dame" of the canons, is the most beautiful religious building in the region. The shape and dimensions are impressive. The choir dates from 1200, the transept from the 13th century, the nave from the 14th-15th century. The 50 m high facade tower is decorated with vertical blind arches and crowned with watchtowers (15th century). On the middle buttress of the southern portal there is a statue of the Virgin Mary (14th century), and on the tympanum a Last Judgement with very few chosen ones. In the corner next to the choir there is an octagonal Romanesque tower.

You will see the tomb of St. Audomarus and the mausoleum of Eustache de Croy, chapter provost in Saint-Omer and bishop of Arras, a moving work by Jacques Dubroeucq (16th century). He shows the deceased kneeling, in bishop's robes, but also lying down and naked, as in classical antiquity. Note the 15th-century tombstones with inscriptions and the Descent from the Cross by Rubens (first bay of the right aisle). The tombs are 15th century, the alabaster statues 16th and 17th centuries. Other eye-catchers are the Madonna with cat (right aisle), the statue (13th century) of Notre-Dame des Miracles that attracts pilgrims every September, a Nativity of Christ from the 13th century and the tomb (8th century) of St. Erkembode, abbot of Saint-Bertin - here they leave shoes of children who have difficulty learning to walk. Above the astronomical clock (1558) a jaquemart tolls the hours (transept left). Above it is a rose window in flamboyant style. The statue group Grand Dieu de Thérouanne (13th century) stood 20 m above the portal of the cathedral of Thérouanne, which was destroyed by Charles V. The figures seem distorted, but the artist foreshortened them so that they had the correct perspective from below (transept left).

The town hall was built between 1834 and 1841 using materials from the church of the Abbaye de Saint-Bertin. At the heart of the building is an Italian-style theatre. The Hôtel de Bailliage is a former royal court that was outside the power of the aldermen. It is an elegant Louis XIV building, decorated with pilasters, Doric capitals, ironwork and floral garlands. Four statues on the balustrade symbolise the cardinal virtues.

The sundial at St. Omer Cathedral is an impressive astronomical instrument that tells the time based on the position of the sun. It is one of the largest sundials in France and is located on the south wall of the cathedral. The sundial is made of stone and has a diameter of about 3.5 meters. It was built in 1561 and is still in good condition. The design of the sundial is very detailed and includes several circles and lines that indicate the time at different times of the year. It is a beautiful example of the astronomical knowledge of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.