The town of Saint-Omer is found to the south-east of Calais, in northern France.
Historically a region of marshes, these were in part drained to create a fertile environment for growing produce and there are now many market gardens in the area.
Explore Saint-Omer
Saint-Omer has an attractive town centre, with numerous impressive 17th century houses and buildings, many in the Flemish style typical of the region, to be admired.
At the heart of the town you will find the large main square, the Place Foch, dominated by the neo-classical style Town Hall. In total contrast, inside the town hall there is an Italian style theatre with a decoratif mix of colours, paintings and sculptures.
Around the square the other buildings are typically tall and narrow with heights, width and colour varying enough to be interesting without spoiling the harmony of the square.
Heading east to the Place du Vieux Marché you will find the Museum of the Hotel Sandelin. The museum has an interesting collection of paintings, ceramics and items of historical interest relating the history of Saint-Omer. The museum is housed in one of the most outstanding 18th century houses in Saint-Omer.
Close to here you can see the Cathedral of Notre Dame, in gothic style and the principal monument in Saint-Omer. Built on the site of an earlier chapel in the 14th-15th century, the cathedral is now one of the most imposing monuments in this region of France.
Inside the cathedral you can see an important painting by Rubens, the shrine for saint Erkembode and an imposing 18th century organ.
Over the road from the cathedral you can visit the large public gardens, which include a section of the original Vauban fortifications of the town. The gardens are well maintained and with a good range of interesting plants and are definitely worth a visit.
The rest of the fortifications were destroyed to create the space for the fashionable wide 19th century boulevards that you see around Saint-Omer today.
Heading north in the town, other important buildings in Saint-Omer include the Jesuits College chapel with its unusual tall, narrow facade and the imposing Jesuits College which is housed in a 17th century mansion. The prestigious college has an excellent reputation and attracts students from around the world.
Further north are the evocative ruins of the abbey of Saint Bertin, dating from the 14th century.
Saint-Omer built its prosperity around ships that sailed up the Aa River to carry out their trade, and the canal de Neuffossé and the Quai du Commerce is a very pretty part of town lined as it is with attractive Flemish-style houses.
Attractions nearby
Nature lovers will enjoy a visit to the protected natural reserve of the 'étangs du Romelaëre', a wildlife area of lakes and ponds that forms part of the Audomarois marshes and is well known for its varied birdlife including herons and cormorants. There is a marked trail through the reserve.
The town of Aire-sur-la-Lys, a few kilometres south-east of Saint-Omer, also has a historic centre with some interesting buildings to see. Fans of the lovely Flemish architecture should be sure to visit the wonderful town of Arras to the south-east of Saint-Omer.
To the west families may want to visit the impressive Nausicaa sea-life centre which is now one of France's top 10 attractions.
Explore elsewhere in the North East France. You can find more travel ideas in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais guide.
Photos of Saint-Omer
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Map of Saint-Omer and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Omer with France This Way reviews
Aire-sur-la-Lys
Now officially listed as a 'recommended detour' town, the highlight in Aire-sur-la-Lys is the bailliage, an ornate renaissance style building built in 1600
Aire-sur-la-Lys guide
Cassel
The town of Cassel is built on the highest hill in the Flanders region and has extensive views
Cassel guide
Esquelbecq
At Esquelbec you can admire the Flemand style town centre with its Chateau and church, and visit an important war cemetery
Esquelbecq guide
Gravelines
The principal attraction at Gravelines is the fortifications, built by the Spanish in the 16th century and reinforced by Vauban in the 17th century
Gravelines guide
Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez
The Cap Blanc-Nez and the Cap Gris-Nez are classified as Grand sites de France for their beauty.
Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez guide
Wissant
Wissant is a small seaside town in the north of France which is very popular for surfing and kitesurfing.
Wissant guideTourist classifications for Saint-Omer
Saint-Omer is classified as a listed town of Art and History
Address: Saint-Omer, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, 62500, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 50.7461, longitude 2.26167
Plan your visit to Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Réserve naturelle nationale des étangs du Romelaëre: site of natural beauty (4 km)
- Réserve naturelle nationale des grottes et des pelouses d'Acquin-Westbécourt et des coteaux de Wavrans-sur-l'Aa: site of natural beauty (11 km)
- Beffroi d'Aire-sur-la-Lys (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (15 km)
- La ferme du mont des Récollets: remarkable garden (17 km)
- Caps et Marais d'Opale: regional natural parc (25 km)
- Bergues: recommended detour (28 km)
- Beffroi de Bergues (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (28 km)
- Loon-Plage: ville fleurie 4* (28 km)
- Gravelines: recommended detour (28 km)
- Beffroi de Gravelines (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (28 km)
- Grande-Synthe: ville fleurie 4* (30 km)
- Réserve naturelle du Platier d'Oye: site of natural beauty (32 km)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Omer (Francais)