The local what's-on guide for the Opal Coast
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Points of interest
← Back to the agendaBeaches, cliffs, museums, walks and good addresses to visit all year round.
Saint-Aubin
A covered wayside shrine made of brick, featuring a small gate with blue wrought-ironwork. It is set within a small enclosure containing two other shrines and a tree. A remarkable tree stands opposite it, marking the crossroads.
Gravelines
The chapel stands proudly amid the dunes of Petit-Fort-Philippe. Built in the 18th century and destroyed in 1789, it was rebuilt on the seashore in 1829. The 18th-century statue of the Virgin Mary is brought out onto the forecourt—an exceptional occurrence—for a Mass in memory of those lost at sea and for the Icelanders every September.
Saint-Aubin
A square-plan chapel built of brick and blue stone (base and facade).
Wisques
Located in the small village of Wisques, 7 kilometers from Saint-Omer, Saint-Paul Abbey offers a fascinating tour, both historically and architecturally. The abbey, also known as “the great castle,” was built on the site of the former Wisques Castle, which was constructed after the Hundred Years’ War. All that remains from that period is the keep, crowned by two turrets and four towers (late 15th century), a small courtyard to the west, and the large Saint-Bertin Tower (early 15th century). The building was later expanded in the 18th century with a residence and a porch that are quite characteristic of the region. The Benedictine brotherhood settled there in the 19th century. In 1930, a series of modern elements were added. The “poet of brick,” Dom Bello, a Dutch architect heavily influenced by the Amsterdam School, added a cloister and a refectory with elegant proportions, making subtle use of the building materials. Joseph Philippe completed the complex with a chapel (in 1957) and then a guesthouse (in 1968). Originally intended to be a monastic library, Joseph Philippe’s chapel is remarkable for its choir, which features a magnificent brick drapery. In addition to guided tours, visitors can admire the ceramics crafted by the monks and sold in the shop located near the pottery workshop. Finally, visitors can attend Masses sung in the Gregorian chant tradition.
Calais
Having survived bombings and several construction projects, Calais’s oldest building now stands on Rue de Croy. When construction began in the 13th century, Adrien de Wissant had the church built on the site of the current transept. Extensive expansion projects were then undertaken through the 16th century, and it was during the English occupation that the upper sections of the nave, the choir, and the bell tower were built. Built in the Tudor style, this church drew on its British influences to reach its final form in the 17th century; a chapel and a Baroque altarpiece were added at that time. A testament to medieval architecture, the Church of Notre-Dame de Calais also features a massive tower supporting the bell tower at the intersection of the transept and the nave. As you head toward the north side of the nave, you’ll notice a cistern with a capacity of 1,800 m³ that was used to collect rainwater; it was built by Vauban in 1691 to meet the population’s needs in the event of a siege. It was in this building that General de Gaulle and Yvonne Vendroux were married in 1921. Nothing could prevent the Allied bombings during World War II, which occurred one week before the city’s liberation; as a result, the bell tower collapsed onto the transept, and the altarpiece sustained severe damage. Since then, the church has undergone extensive restoration, which will allow visitors to appreciate the full originality of its architecture.
Bourbourg
Built in the Gothic style, construction of this church began in the 13th century on the site of the former convent. Altered several times, it collapsed following a fire during World War II. Its restoration took a long time and remains unfinished. The best-preserved part is, without a doubt, the trefoil-arched portal, its small columns, and its 12th-century Romanesque nave. The decorative elements of the 13th-century Gothic choir, such as the sculptures on the capitals and the keystone bearing the effigy of Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of the parish, are exceptionally delicate. The pointed-arch choir was designated a Historic Monument in 1920. Located at the crossing of the transept, the massive tower houses a carillon. The church also features magnificent stained-glass windows by Art des Gobelins. The large stained-glass window at the rear of the church, located above the portal, depicts the baptism of our Lord by Saint John the Baptist. Twelve stained-glass windows depict events from Bourbourg’s religious history, such as the attack on the statue of Our Lady of Bourbourg in 1383, the fire at the church on May 25, 1940, and the founding of the St. John Hospice to welcome pilgrims to Notre Dame de Bourbourg. You can explore all of these features during a guided tour.
Dunkerque
Built in the 13th century to serve as a watchtower, the belfry also served as a landmark for fishermen in the town of Dunkirk. In 1440, the Lord of Dunkirk, Robert de Bar, decided to raise the tower to its current height of 58 meters and turn it into the bell tower of Saint Eloi Church, which was built at the same time. The current carillon dates from 1962; the previous one was lost in 1940 during the massive fire that destroyed the city and the floors of the belfry. It consists of 48 bells with a total weight of approximately 16 metric tons; the largest bell, “Jean Bart,” weighs 7 metric tons on its own. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the belfry consists of six stories and tapers gradually: it measures 15 meters wide at the base and 8 meters at the top. You’ll find the city’s tourist office at its base, and by taking the elevator, you’ll be able to discover Dunkirk’s most important landmarks thanks to the panoramic view. The Cenotaph, located at the base of the belfry, pays tribute to all victims of war. Built in the 15th century, St. Eloi Church was designed in the shape of a Latin cross with a transept. In 1558, during the Spanish occupation, French forces, led by Marshal des Thermes, invaded the city, burning and devastating everything in their path; only the tower escaped destruction. A new church was rebuilt in a different style (Gothic). Only a vault connected the church to the belfry, providing a passageway for pedestrians. It was not until 1787 that the church was permanently separated from the belfry. It therefore had to be adorned with a façade. The first was designed by the Parisian architect Victor Louis. The current façade dates from 1894 and was designed by Van Moë. This church sustained extensive damage during both world wars and was restored after each one. It has been designated a historic monument since 1916.
Boulogne-sur-Mer
In 636, a boat containing a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus was discovered in the Liane estuary. It was placed in a chapel in the upper town, built on the site of a Roman temple. In 1100, in order to accommodate more pilgrims coming to pay homage to the Virgin, Countess Ide of Boulogne decided to have a Gothic-style church and crypt built in place of the chapel. After Louis XI granted her suzerainty over the County of Boulogne in 1478, the Virgin and her cathedral suffered extensive damage due to the wars with England and the religious wars of the 16th century. In 1793, the revolutionaries burned this ancient image of the Virgin Mary; all that remains today is a fragment of her hand, preserved in a reliquary. Five years later, the cathedral was completely razed. It was thanks to Father Haffreingue that the basilica was rebuilt between 1827 and 1857, modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. In 1866, it was consecrated as the Cathedral of “Notre Dame and St. Joseph,” and a new statue of the Virgin Mary, carved from oak, was created. Since 1854, from the Feast of the Assumption to the last Sunday in August, the annual pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Boulogne—which concludes with a grand procession through the city streets—has continued to attract many pilgrims from the region and beyond. During a visit, it’s hard to miss the 88-meter-high dome, the carved oak pulpit in the Louis XV style, the Crowned Virgin, and the Chapel of the Sacred Heart with its marble work. The cathedral’s crypt is one of the largest in France, measuring 128 meters long and 42 meters wide; it is also a must-see during your visit.
Saint-Omer
This former collegiate church dedicated to Saint Omer became a cathedral in 1561. Listed as a historic monument since 1840, this cathedral is shaped like a Latin cross. It is 105 meters long, 51 meters wide, and 22.9 meters high at the vault. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful intact Gothic monument in northern France. Saint-Omer Cathedral offers a comprehensive overview of Gothic art and its evolution. Upon entering, you can admire the naves dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as various works of art such as the organ case from 1717—a masterpiece by the Piette brothers, considered the most beautiful and original of its generation. Another masterpiece of the Basilica of Notre-Dame is the astronomical clock, dating from the mid-16th century. As for funerary art, you can admire the tomb of Saint Omer (13th century) or that of Saint Erckembode (abbot of Saint Bertin), who is deeply venerated for his healing of children—which explains the many small pairs of shoes placed on the tomb. A multitude of small chapels situated around the nave are also worth seeing. The Descent from the Cross, dating from 1620, is Rubens’ fifth and final Deposition. This work showcases the artist’s genius. The statue of Our Lady of Miracles stands in the center of a gilded wooden altarpiece located in the cathedral’s south transept. Finally, you’ll notice engravings on the floor slabs depicting various subjects, such as the signs of the zodiac and different trades.
Dunkerque
Commonly known as the “little chapel,” it was built in 1815 on the site of a 15th-century oratory, in honor of a miraculous Virgin Mary whose wooden statuette had been found near a freshwater spring during the construction of Dunkirk’s ramparts. A rare testament to Dunkirk’s origins, the chapel later became a place of worship and devotion for seafarers, particularly fishermen. After undergoing numerous expansions and renovations, the chapel today consists of a main nave with two wings running perpendicular to it, as well as a magnificent vaulted ceiling well known for its constellation of stars. Today, every August 15, the Blessing of the Sea ceremony takes place. During this ceremony, the statue is carried in procession by the Bazennes (the wives of fishing boat captains). Inside the chapel are numerous ex-votos and model boats suspended from the ceiling, in gratitude for the Virgin’s protection. In addition, a fountain was dedicated in 2004, symbolizing the freshwater spring that was miraculously discovered at the time.
Aire-sur-la-Lys
To replace the Romanesque church of the Chapter of Canons, a collegiate church was built in Aire-sur-la-Lys in the 16th century. Construction on this building spanned nearly a century and a half. Built in the Flamboyant Gothic style, this impressive structure is primarily made of brick and stone. Despite its considerable size, the tower collapsed shortly after construction was completed in 1624. It was not until 10 years later that the reconstruction was finally completed. The collegiate church was subsequently severely damaged by the sieges it endured from 1641 to 1710. The transept, the chapter house, and some of the chapels were destroyed and burned. The vaults of the nave and the tower collapsed, and in 1944, the choir could not withstand the bombings. Designated a historic monument in 1862, this building bears witness to numerous restorations, as evidenced by its various architectural styles. Indeed, on the ground floor, the nave, the choir, and the high vaults are still in the Gothic style with their ribbed vaults, while the upper floor and the decor reflect the passage of time, evolving into a classical and Baroque style. In addition to its architectural splendor, the collegiate church features a rich collection of furnishings, such as an organ case dating from 1633, the statue of Our Lady of Panetière, who watches over the town with a protective eye, the rood screen, and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament with its Virgin and Child.
Saint-Omer
In the year 640, a chapel was built in the upper part of the town of St. Omer, only to be later moved to the lower part. Upon his arrival, Bertin deemed the oratory too small and had a monastery built; the final structure was constructed between 1326 and 1520. From then on, the monastery hosted a large number of illustrious figures; for example, in 1395, Charles VI stayed there for a few days, followed by other visitors such as Charles V and Louis XIV. Toward the end of the 18th century, the monks were expelled from the abbey; the buildings, sold to private individuals, were soon abandoned. In 1830, the monastery was demolished; only the tower remained. During World War II, a shell struck the left buttress, causing its collapse. As a result, the tower collapsed, and all that remained of the abbey were ruins. This building, a fine example of Gothic architecture, was one of the few monuments of such scale to be constructed at the time. Its dimensions are colossal: total length is 120 m; width including the transept is 45 m; the tower is 58 m high; the nave is 23 m wide; and the height under the vault is 28 m. Opposite the abbey, which was designated a historic monument in 1840, stands a statue of Abbot Suger, originally from the gardens of Versailles and installed in the second half of the 19th century, which highlights the ruins of the monastery.
Watten
Located on the heights of Watten, at an elevation of 72 meters, the remains of the 17th-century fortified walls still surround the 15th-century abbey tower and the mill known as “La Montagne.”This listed site is open to the public only on certain days and during the second weekend in August for the abbey festival. The mill bastion is freely accessible to the public year-round and offers superb panoramic views of the coastal plain and the Audomarois region.The other bastions are not open to the public but can be viewed from the outside. Signage and educational panels placed along the Sentier de la Montagne (connecting the fortification to the town) help visitors understand the history of the site and the surrounding landscape.