Saint-Pol-sur-Mer can be explored through several specific cultural themes: the belfry with its carillon, art to take home, and the visible remains of the Jean Bart lock. The offerings vary in format. The Maison du Patrimoine offers guided tours and exhibitions; the Rallye MĂ©moire uses historical panels and questions. This gives you a choice of local history, visual art and different ways to engage with the area.
Belfry, Maison du Patrimoine and Art
The Maison du Patrimoine is located in the belfry on Place du Chevalier de Saint Pol. It offers guided tours of Saint-Pol-sur-Mer’s heritage; check the current schedule in advance. Exhibitions are also part of its programme, which may change. The belfry has a carillon with thirteen bells. Its four Jacquemarts are each 1.80 metres tall. The building and cultural interpretation come together in one place: the carillon and figures are features of the belfry, while tours and exhibitions are offered by the Maison du Patrimoine. Also check the current access arrangements for the Maison du Patrimoine before your trip.
The Médiathèque Emile Zola adds an art library with more than 400 works of art to the cultural offerings. These include prints, screen prints and framed photographs. The works can be borrowed or viewed on site. A visit can therefore take in both the heritage at the belfry and visual art at the Médiathèque.
Jean Bart Lock and Parc Jacobsen
The remains of the Jean Bart lock can be seen in Parc Jacobsen. The lock was built in 1715 at the mouth of the Canal de Mardyck. The belfry, by contrast, was inaugurated in 2003. The dates refer to different events: 1715 is the year the lock was built, while 2003 is the year the belfry was inaugurated. This also distinguishes the two sites by their historical context. Access to the lock remains may change; check current access arrangements before your visit.
Rally and Other Activities
The Rallye Mémoire “La Balade d'Edmond” follows in the footsteps of a railway worker and takes you through the Cité as it used to be. Historical panels help you answer the questions. You can do the rally alone, with family or with friends. The question booklet is available from the Maison du Patrimoine in the belfry on Place du Chevalier de Saint Pol; check in advance whether the booklet and rally are currently available. Unlike a guided tour, the rally uses questions and historical panels, while the tours focus on the heritage of Saint-Pol-sur-Mer.
An orienteering course is also offered in Parc Jacobsen. Check the current schedule and availability of this activity in advance. This means the activities in the park can be considered separately from the historical rally.
Landscape and Getting There
Saint-Pol-sur-Mer is located in the natural region of Blootland, characterised by very flat landscapes and numerous canals. This adds a landscape perspective to the historic sites: the belfry and lock remains point to specific building history, while Blootland is the natural setting in which Saint-Pol-sur-Mer is located.
The Médiathèque Emile Zola can be reached on DK Bus route C2, getting off at the Mairie stop. Check the route before travelling, as bus routes may change.
Discover more destinations: Lecelles, Ramillies, Beauvois-En-Cambrésis, Villers-au-Tertre, Lesquin, Somain, Taisnières-en-Thiérache, Grande-Synthe.
See the full travel overview: Nord.
