Saint Omer and Marais Audomarois

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Marais Audomarois – getting back to nature

A holiday in the Audomarois is a holiday close to nature. The Marais Audomarois is a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Site, a maze of 160km of « watergangs » (small drainage channels) which criss-cross 3,400 hectares between crops and pastureland dotted with typical houses. An integral part of the Parc Naturel Régional, the Marais is exceptionally rich in wildlife. Birds and animals flourish in total freedom among lush vegetation – you will love it !
In the middle of the Marais lies the Réserve Naturelle Volontaire de Romelaëre. Among the lakes, ditches, meadows and reed beds live market gardeners who farm and maintain the area : this is the last cultivated marshland in France, and the main market gardening centre of the region.
By choosing the Marais Audomarois, you are guaranteed a unique area to explore with plenty of activities for all the family : boat and canoe trips, bike rides, fishing, animal parks. Let yourself go with the flow surrounded by unspoilt countryside. Alone, with family or a guide, follow the rivers and meet the market gardeners to understand this extraordinary environment and its history going back to the Middle Ages, the time of the monks of the Abbey of Saint Bertin.
Don’t hesitate to hire an ‘escute’ to get as close as possible to nature and see the Marais from a different angle. These traditional wooden boats made of oak were used for centuries by the market gardeners. Two local men, Rémy and Vincent, are the last builders of these craft in the traditional way.
To know more about the history of the Marshes, its biodiversity, the life of its inhabitants and local legends, visit the Maison du Marais discovery centre.

The Art and History town of Saint-Omer, its cathedral, Musée Sandelin and Coupole d'Helfaut

Just next to the Marais, visit the town of Saint Omer with its Cathedral of Notre Dame, a Flamboyant-Gothic masterpiece which has kept watch over the Aa Valley for over 800 years. The Art and History town has charming harmonious façades of yellow brick and stone, the Grand’Place with its lively pavement cafés and the Musée Sandelin which is housed in a magnificent 18th century mansion.
History enthusiasts can round off their day by visiting the Coupole d’Helfaut, 5km from Saint-Omer, one of the most impressive remains from the Second World War in Europe. This centre of history and remembrance explains the major historic and scientific role of the bunker complex during the Occupation and the hidden side of space exploration. Complete your understanding by visiting the Blockhaus d'Eperlecques, the largest bunker in Northern France, a massive 100,000m ³ ! This huge construction traces the dark days between 1939 and 1945 and is a truly unforgettable place, well worth visiting !

Finally, stop off to visit the world leader in tableware, Cristallerie ARC France at Arques, before tasting THE local speciality, the celebrated Genièvre de Houlle eau-de-vie during a tour of the distillery where this renowned drink is made in true Flanders tradition.
Sports facilities here include St Omer Golf Club, rail biking on the Rando-rail du Pays de Lumbres and many different walking trails.
Discover the destinations recommended by Gites de France Pas-de-Calais : La Côte d'Opale, Grand Site National des 2 Caps.
How to get to Saint Omer : TGV train and A26 autoroute. Saint Omer is a 40 minute drive from the main towns of the Nord-Pas de Calais region : Lille, Dunkerque, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais and Arras. From Calais take A16 towards Paris/Reims.