Église Saint-Christophe, Church building on the Grand-Place, Tourcoing, France

Église Saint-Christophe stands on the east side of the Grand-Place, not the Place de la République. Its stone facade, inspired by Rayonnant Gothic with Flamboyant tracery, is symmetrical across three bays: a central gabled portal with a balustraded accolade arch, flanked by two smaller doors, above which rise tall lancets and a rose window. The bell tower reaches 80 m, its upper section pierced by two lancets crowned by a clock and capped by a slate-covered spire.

The church is first documented in the 11th century, when it was dedicated to Saint Vaast of Arras. A transept was added in the 13th century, and in the 15th century the bell tower was moved from the crossing to the porch. Thomas-Joseph Gombert rebuilt the choir in 1722. From 1857 to 1865 the Lille architect Charles Leroy raised the central nave; Louis Croïn enlarged and heightened the tower between 1895 and 1898.

The church was first dedicated to Saint Vaast of Arras before taking the name of Saint Christopher; worship depends on the Diocese of Lille. Its 17th-century carillon of 62 bells, including a 6-tonne bourdon, is played from the tower, and the 1730 confessionals carry carved wooden statuettes. In 1998 the Crick-Sicks sang a concert there for its reopening.

The church stands on the east side of the Grand-Place, near the town hall. A spiral staircase of 255 steps leads up to the carillon museum and then to the 62 bells and the clock, with a view over the Lille metropolitan area. The building was closed for restoration for years, reopened for worship in 2001, and work finished in 2011.

The carillon has 62 bells and a 6-tonne bourdon, in place since the 17th century. A spiral staircase of 255 steps, dating from the 16th century, leads to a museum of bell-founding and then to the bells and clock, with a view over the Lille metropolitan area.