Saint-Gilles Church
"According to some meager historical sources, the church of Saint-Gilles would have succeeded a first edifice present at the beginning of the thirteenth century.
The new building was built between 1485 and 1528 in a flamboyant Gothic style, like the collegiate church of St. Vulfran, begun three years later.
However, the edifice remained fragile and the eighteenth century brought its share of misfortunes. In 1729 two pillars collapsed. The vault, above it, collapsed and was rebuilt thanks to the gifts of the parishioners.
In 1764, two soldiers fought a duel in front of the church and continued in the cemetery. One of them was mortally wounded. The cemetery was closed, and a solemn ceremony was then to be cleared of this defilement and rebirth. In 1765, it was lightning striking the building, damaging the bell tower and breaking the clock.
During the Revolution, the church, closed to worship, serves as a forage store. Thanks to the dynamism of its priest and the donations of the inhabitants of the district, the building was completely restored from 1860.
In neo-Gothic style of course, very in vogue at that time. The interior will end up completely covered with painted decorations of which almost nothing remains today.
Finally, on the 20th of May, 1940, during the riding of the Panzer of Guderian towards the sea, the German artillery destroyed the town of Abbeville and, in large part, the church of Saint-Gilles. Only the Gothic facade and some walls could be saved.
Restored - the interior in contemporary style -, the church was returned to worship in 1967."
Sources : The Church