St Omer (pop. 16,595), formerly belonging to the County of Flanders, lies in Artois, between Calais and Lille. The town grew up around a Benedictine monastery founded in the seventh century. In the west of the town, on Place du Maréchal-Foch, is the modern Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), which also houses the Municipal Theater.
On the east of the town are the ruins of the abbey of St-Bertin, founded in 1640. Northeast of the Town Hall is the church of St-Sépulcre (13th-14th century).
La Coupole was built in 1943-44 by the Nazis as the base and launch against London during World War II. The enormous dome of concrete was constructed above the site to protect it. In 1987, it was transformed into a place of education and remembrance. In early 1997, the Historic Centre of War and Rockets was linked to La Coupole.
Address: La Coupole, BP 284, F-62504 Helfaut, France
To the south are the Henri-Depuis Museum of Natural History and the former cathedral of Notre- Dame (13th-15th C.), with a 50 m/165ft high tower, a fine south doorway and a richly decorated interior; in the church is the tomb of St Omer.
Northeast of Notre-Dame is the Musée des Beaux-Arts, with prehistoric and Roman remains, weapons, medieval objets d'art, faience, furniture, Flemish tapestries and a fine collection of pictures.
Address: Musée des Beaux-Arts, 14 rue Carnot, F-62520 St-Omer, France
Hours:
am-am; Closed: Mon, Tue
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), 1945 Victory Day (May 8), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Assumption Day - Christian (August 15), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday) - Christian, Ascension Thursday - Christian
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
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