Attractions and Places To See around Blessy - Top 20

The belfry of Aire-sur-la-Lys (in Dutch: Ariën-aan-de-Leie) is a historic, baroque belfry in the French department of Pas-de-Calais that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2005. The striking tower is attached to the town hall and dominates the skyline of the historic town.

Many centuries ago, our ancestors discovered the possibility of harnessing the power of the elements—which, on the one hand, were helpful and useful, but on the other hand, as untamed forces of nature, could also be a threat—for various purposes, thus eliminating the need for human or animal muscle power. Mills such as these are a good example of the human engineering skills of earlier generations: The heavy millstones used to grind grain or press oil, for example, could be powered by wind or—as in this case—water.

The Pont de Thiennes is a traffic bridge located on the Leie, connecting the municipalities of Thiennes and Aire-sur-la-Lys. The bridge was inaugurated in 2014. It is built of Soignies granite and was financed by the state (33.9%) for war damage, by the department of Pas-de-Calais (33.05%) and by the department of Nord (33.05%). The bridge is equipped with a lifting system to allow the passage of boats.

This Spanish mill was built around 1635, on the banks of the Lacquette River. It produced flour until 1938, then milling for livestock. It was bought in 1974 to be transformed into a home. It is built with brick and stone (white limestone). All that remains of the original building is the north gable (17th century), and also a porch. The water wheel is still in place but it no longer turns. The dam forms a pretty waterfall. A turret was added on the river side. It is a very beautiful private home with a beautiful garden in which you can see a stone fountain.

The Beffroi d'Aire-sur-la-Lys is a monument that is part of the heritage of Aire-sur-la-Lys. It was first built in 1355 and rebuilt between 1716 and 1724 by the architect Hérogue. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1947 together with the adjacent town hall1. The beffroi is 45 meters high and rests on four large pillars of brick and stone, two meters thick, which demarcate an interior space of six meters wide. It is of Baroque style and is part of the list of 23 belfries inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005 as part of the list of "Belfries of Belgium and France".

This is one of the finest examples of the Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance in French Flanders. The imposing tower (62m) resembles that of Notre-Dame in Saint-Omer. Inside, the pattern of the ribs of the vaults has been transferred to the floor. The choir is closed by a beautiful rood screen; on the left is the gilded statue of Notre-Dame Panetière. The oak organ case comes from the abbey church of Clamarais. Choir and apse suffered from a bombardment in 1944. In the back you can see a beautiful Virgin and Child (15th century)

The Moulin des Invalides is a watermill on the Laquette, located in the city of Aire-sur-la-Lys, part of the French department of Pas-de-Calais. The mill functioned as a flour mill. The mill was built in 1682 for Count De Robelin, who was an engineer for the French king. The builders were soldiers who were no longer fit for military service due to their injuries. In 1790 it was reported that the mill had two paddle wheels, but the current was too weak to turn both wheels. In 1840 the mill was partly rebuilt and enlarged. A winch was also installed to hoist the bags of grain. Mechanization followed in the course of the 19th century and the current building was erected in 1878. Electric propulsion arrived in the 20th century. In 1979 the company was closed down. In 1996 a new water wheel was installed, which had the same diameter of 5.2 meters as in 1790.

The Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre is a former collegiate church in the town of Aire-sur-la-Lys (Pas-de-Calais, France). The monument impresses with its dimensions, and is an emblem of the city of Aire. The collegiate church is considered one of the most important Flamboyant and Renaissance monuments in the Southern Netherlands. It was built between 1492 and 1634. The tower of the collegiate church collapsed in 1569 and was rebuilt between 1569 and 1624. The Saint-Pierre collegiate church was classified as a historic monument in 1862. The dimensions of the building are considerable : Total exterior length: 105 m, total exterior width: 40 m, Width of the central nave: 10 m, height of the large vaults: 20 m Height of the side vaults: 10 m, height of the tower: 65 m