St. Omer is a picturesque commune in northwest France. It is the closest land to England (from Dover) and tourists coming to the area usually use the Calais Ferry Port. It’s one of the best places to visit for the weekend because it’s relatively small but offers more than just a picturesque setting for a quick getaway.
Historical Structures
The commune takes its name from a mock that came to the place to preach Christianity. With its deep religious affiliation, one of the commune’s main attractions is their 13th century cathedral which is also the home to other objects made a century or two after the cathedral’s completion. The cathedral also features an astronomical clock and a painting of Sir Peter Paul Rubens.
Complementing the cathedral is the town hall and its surrounding houses. Most of the structures around the town hall still stand even though it was built as early as 16th century. Visiting the town hall is a must for every tourist because of the documents, theater and gallery that depicts the past of St. Omer.
The Waterways
St Omer is not just a monk known for his preaching. He is also known for setting up the intricate waterways that help support the merchants inside and outside St. Omer. The waterways are still fully functional and a boat ride is the best way to appreciate the setup.
Beer and Shopping
St. Omer is also the home of one of the oldest breweries in the country. The commune is still the brewery for St. Omer Beer and has been in operation since 1866. The town square is also known as a shopping destination especially because of its numerous boutiques.