Saint-Quentin

Diocesan website

Surprising, original, avant-garde, the church of Saint Quentin in Wirwignes, in the rolling hillside behind Boulogne, is a curiosity that is not to be missed. In effect, the church is a unique example of popular art in the Naïve Art strain of Douanier Rousseau at the end of the 19th century.
It is the work of Father Lecoutre (1830-1906) who, returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, created this unusual decoration of his church in the Pas de Calais. It is an astonishing décor mixing oriental colours and accents with western marbles and stone. He used an art that was free of the classical codes, multiplying the furnishings and statues, and inserting Biblical quotations in the walls and vaults. The building became a catechism for the partially illiterate population at the time. The priest wished to help  his parishioners to absorb Bible teachings.

A highly coloured church which you can visit with Monsieur Louchez , a local historian who is very interesting and informed…..