Saint Pol sur Mer Belfry

After long centuries of traditions in the North of France, the town of Saint-Pol-sur-Mer has a belfry. Originally, these high towers were erected on the initiative of the Shrine, a sign of their independence from the seigniorial and royal power.

Suffice to say that for centuries, they stand proudly to the sky, carrying one or more bells to warn of danger and chant the rhythm of everyday life.

Building such a tower is not a decision without consequence because a belfry is an imposing mass, which, like the church steeples, is seen from afar. It must be judiciously placed, it must also be beautiful. Taking up this multisecular tradition, the City of Saint-Pol-sur-Mer inaugurates in 2003 the first belfry of the third millennium, heir to its neighbors Bergues, Dunkirk, Douai, Lille and many others .

Work of Daniel Cacheux, architect D.P.L.G., it stands above the City, from the height of its 33 meters. The brick here recalls the most used material in the region and watches over a new square, on the edge of the Rue de la Republique, the main artery of the city.

The newly created place bears the name of the Knight of Saint Pol Hécourt, successor of Jean Bart at the head of the squadron of North and whose name is chosen for the commune (the original hamlet was called "the Dornega" or "Tornegat" "or Burrowing Hole").

Faithful to other traditions, the belfry bears a chime of thirteen bells and four Jacquemarts. Together, they evoke the history of the city and its inhabitants.

The carillon of the Belfry of the City of Saint Pol sur Mer is exceptional. In addition to its thirteen bells, it includes, in fact, the four largest Jacquemart in Europe, which punctuate the lives of residents by hitting the bells over the hours.

Each Jacquemart measures 1.80 meters. They represent striking or symbolic characters of the city. They are a real tourist attraction and bring many visitors in downtown Saint-Pol-sur-Mer.