Discover Saint Omer in Pas de Calais, France, Saint-Omer, France (B)

There is so much to see and do in Saint Omer in the Pas de Calais department of Northern France where do I start? At the beginning – with Saint Omer himself.

During the seventh century when Saint Omer (also known as Audomar) was bishop of nearby Thérouanne he was sent to a place called Sithiu to bring Christianity to that area. He was assisted in this task and the local language by Saint Bertin. Both were to leave their mark on the town that was subsequently named Saint Omer.

They were quick to establish the Catholic area and by 649 had erected the Church of Our Lady of Sithiu on land donated to the church by a wealthy citizen. A small monastery was added to the church and it was known as the Abbey of Saint Peter, named for its first abbot. Saint Omer gave this monastery to the Benedictine monks of Saint Bertin on condition that he would be buried at the site and that the church would serve as a burial place for the monks. By the eleventh century this abbey had become famous as centre of holiness and education. Around this time the name was changed to the Abbey of Saint Bertin. It continued to develop and by the fourteenth century had evolved into a fine Gothic building. The monks were expelled in 1791 during the French Revolution and the abbey and is church were sold at auction in 1799. Today this abbey lies in ruins But enough of it remains for visitors to appreciate its former grandeur. A magnificent statue of Saint Bertin stands by the entrance to the abbey. It is not known exactly where Saint Omer was finally laid to rest but it is most likely it was in the cathedral of Saint Omer. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).