Saint-Omer, ville d'art et d'histoire...
Les Monuments - Aéroclub de Saint-Omer - L'USSO
		The Suburb of the High-Bridge The Suburb of the High-Bridge had a significant place in the history audomaroise. It would draw its name from the first bridge of the very high Middle Ages spanning Aa and making it possible the boats to pass under its arch. The district was connected jusuqu' in 1890 to the city by an at the same time terrestrial and river access: the gate of the High-Bridge. The two principal streets stretch channel on both sides, thus marking the importance of the water way: the suburb always had a harbour and commercial vocation significant. The bélandres, old boats of flat-bottomed transport, then the barges accosted per thousands along its quays; but the creation of the channel with large gauge in 1958 put fine at its activity. The High-Bridge was, during centuries, a popular and animated district, gathering various trades; as testifies some toponymy: street of the Makers of boats, the Fish shop, the Faience manufacture. The river is bordered, of each dimensioned, brick houses, joined and aligned. Still sometimes inhabited by market-gardeners, they reflect the importance of the agricultural activity of the district. One finds there the residences of the market-gardening owners, cossues, on floor and with carriage gate, and the small low houses where logaient the farm labourers. On right bank, is the place of Ghière which was used as quay of unloading. At the bottom, the church which goes back to 1860. The bell-tower was rebuilt in the Thirties, to replace that which had broken down, following a storm, a few years earlier. Because of the marshy and moving ground, the foundations moved and it is not completely any more vertical. Being next to, the old convent of the sisters clarisses.