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The press correspondent is inexhaustible, the human contact instantaneous. “Always meeting people, that’s the way it’s always been”. Bruno, who admits his sin of gossip, is quick to get involved in the service of others. Sports clubs, local fairs, helping out here and there – the young man spares no effort. Was he programmed to become a shopkeeper in his native village of Racquinghem before settling in Aire-sur-la-Lys, in the middle of the old route linking Calais to Arras? “I’m something of a great traveler of the Aire region, on foot or by bike,” smiles our incorrigible chatterbox. As a Greeter, Bruno couldn’t pass up such an opportunity. Indeed, he satisfies his passion for explaining and helping visitors discover the town sometimes referred to as the “Belle du Pas de Calais”, on the border between Flanders and Artois.

With a population of 10,000, Aire-sur-la-Lys, the 3rd largest commune in Pas-de-Calais, is also remarkable for its heritage and cultural treasures. The Saint-Pierre collegiate church is listed, as is the magnificent bailliage or the elegant belfry listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Twenty-three historic monuments in the town! The whole area, which bears the hallmark of Vauban, is bathed in a unique atmosphere of water and old stones, and is full of little secrets. Andouille, celebrated in September, is in the pantheon of the best local restaurants, produced by all the charcutiers of Aix-en-Provence. Our friendly Greeter makes your mouth water. Just talking about it! He invites you to discover his corner of life as you stroll along the river Lys, mother of a city more than a thousand years old.

Denis has lived in Saint-Omer for (almost) his entire life, and he knows the town like the back of his hand! To discover the medieval city with its rich heritage, cobbled streets and lively squares, all you have to do is follow him.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the public gardens, the Moulin à Café, the remains of the Abbey of Saint-Bertin… the jewels of Saint-Omer hold no secrets for him, but the most exciting part remains to wander the little-known streets and passages of the town in his company, where you sometimes come across treasures.

You’ll learn to recognize typical Audomarois houses, discover an 11th-century Romanesque church in the old quarters, notice the architectural details of the various buildings… With Denis, great history mingles with little neighborhood anecdotes. At every street corner, you can relive the Saint-Omer of his childhood, which he evokes with tenderness and humor. He likes to say that it would take him several days to show you the town!

Philippe Fayeulle is more the adventurous type. With his wife, he travels around Europe in his camper van. In other words, he’s used to meeting strangers and adapting to the situation. Although he’s always on the move, his home base is in the small village of Vaudringhem, not far from Saint-Omer.

Gifted with a caustic sense of humor, he’ll be happy to share one of his passions: vertical-pole archery. “This Flemish tradition established by the Duke of Burgundy is little known. For thirty years, we’ve been part of the Archers de la Société Saint-Georges de Watterdal. I offer an initiation and baptism. Get off the beaten track and come and trample our green ‘pastures’ dotted with ‘bousats’.”

As for walks, Philippe has “twenty-five thousand of them”. A small panorama above Lottinghen is well worth the detour. The Nielles-lès-Bléquin rando-rail will delight children: pedal go-karts have been installed on disused rails, offering two original rides. The Blockhaus in Eperlecques and the Coupole in Helfaut will interest history buffs. The Maison du papier will arouse the curiosity of the whole family. You have to go to Mont Hulin, overlooking Desvres, to see the Highland cattle,” says Philippe. And why not take the opportunity to visit the Maison de la Faïence.”