Collégiale Saint-Pierre d'Aire-sur-la-Lys, Gothic church in Aire-sur-la-Lys, France.
The Collégiale Saint-Pierre d'Aire-sur-la-Lys is a Gothic church in this northern French town with substantial proportions and construction from stone and brick materials. The building rises beneath a 65-meter tower and contains noteworthy organ and artwork inside.
This structure rose after an earlier Romanesque church from the 12th century had deteriorated and was begun in 1492 following the Gothic style. Completion came in 1634, ending more than 140 years of building work.
The church preserves the tradition of Notre-Dame Panetière, commemorating a grain delivery during a siege that is still celebrated through annual processions today. This local devotion shows how the community keeps its past alive through religious practice.
The interior displays a well-preserved organ from the 17th century along with artwork such as a reconstructed statue. Visitors should allow time to explore the furnishings in detail and can typically view the building during posted opening hours.
During restoration work in 2018, a cannonball from the 18th century was discovered beneath a stained glass window. This find is a reminder that the building survived multiple military periods in the region's history.
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