Aire-sur-la-Lys, FR

Collégiale Saint-Pierre d'Aire-sur-la-Lys

Église Catholique Collégiale Saint-Pierre d'Aire-sur-la-Lys has been a parish church since 1802.

About this building

Classified as a Historical Monument since 1862, the collegiate church has impressive dimensions (105 meters long; 40 meters wide ; and a vault height of 20 meters – to which must be added the 65 meters of the tower), because it has welcomed pilgrims over the centuries who have come to honour an important relic of Saint James. The base of the pillars, visible in the choir, bear witness to the remains of the primitive church consecrated in 1166, and destined to be the collegiate church of the chapter of canons founded by the pious count of Flanders, Baudouin V . The construction of the actual church of Saint Peter took place throughout the 16th century, which makes this monumental building one of the major testimonials to flamboyant gothic, and Flemish Renaissance styles in the region. As for the tower, which collapsed shortly after having been built, it was rebuilt in 1634.

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Monuments
  • Interior features
  • Links to national heritage
  • Famous people or stories

Visitors information

  • Parking within 250m
  • Café within 500m

Other nearby buildings

Sauvegarde de l'Art Français
White church with slate pinnacle and roof

Church of Saint-Martin

The Church of Saint-Martin of Clarques was built from the chalk stone native to the region at the end of the XVIIe century. Facing a slate pinnacle surmounting its gable west, it has a set of three quadrangles joined respectively forming the nave, the choir and the sacristy. The church has rich furniture, mainly from the eighteenth century, and some classified objects taken from neighbouring Abbey of St-Augustin.

Wikimedia Commons

Church of Saint-Omer

The chapel Saint-Omer was built in 1230. In the 16th century, the body of the church was added, giving the buildings its current structure. The plan of the church is simple: a bell tower, a stone nave covered with a paneled vault, a choir, two chapels and a sacristy (seventeenth century). You can notice the cross vaulted transept ogives (sixteenth century) complex drawing.

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