The Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saint-Omer, in Pas-de-Calais, was built from the 13th to the sixteenth century. Classified Historic Monument As early as 1840, it is considered a perfectly preserved example of the Gothic style of the region.
Always aimed at its original enclosure, it has architecturally a bedside reminiscent of the novel models, but the rest of the elements (radiant chapels, chapels in angle, tower porch) are loyal to the cannons of Gothic.
This beautiful building is however as famous for the richness of its furniture and works of art it houses.
The most singular is an astronomical clock of 1558 unique in France.
In addition to the original decorations and the materials used (marble chapel, pavement slabs of the thirteenth century, element of cabinetmaking), an organ buffet of the eighteenth is also classified.
On the artistic level, it is a painting of Rubens representing the descent of the cross that constitutes the most remarkable work, but from the low or high reliefs are also to admire, not to mention the triptych says of the great God of Thérouanne (13th), a limestone sculpture appearing between the Virgin and Saint John.
Open all year. Free tour or with audio-guides available at the Tourist Office. Guided tour (coupled with the discovery of the city center): from 3.50 and 5.50 euros. Information on +33 3 21 98 08 51.
