Dunkirk is a fairly large city on the northern coast of France, forty kilometers from Calais. The history of the city is closely connected with the events of the Second World War: first of all, Dunkirk is known as the place of historic evacuation of British troops in 1940. Later in the war, Dunkirk was destroyed by almost three quarters, so in terms of old buildings it is not too rich. But this is one of the most important multifunctional ports in the country, where there is also a beach suitable for swimming.
How to get to Dunkirk
The nearest international airport is in Lille, a little less than 80 km away. You can fly to Lille from Dusseldorf, Brussels, Frankfurt am Main. Another suitable airport is in Bruges, from where you can get to Dunkirk an hour and a half.
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A bit of history
The first mention of Dunkirk how the city belong to the 11th century. Since then, it was destroyed many times, but the city was rebuilt again. Over the centuries, the right to own the city and its environs was challenged not only by the British and the French, but also by the Dutch and even the Spaniards. Accordingly, for some time the city belonged to the Netherlands and in this capacity was a legal pirate base; in the 17th century, the English were the hosts, who then sold the city to the French.
The events of the Second World War danced Dunkirk with dubious fame. In 1940, under the onslaught of the Germans, the British-French troops retreated and were immediately surrounded by British and French troops. If it were not for the Germans' refusal to continue the persecution, most of the British army could be destroyed here, trapped between the enemy and the sea. In the course of the hastily organized emergency evacuation, more than 300,000 people were able to take out the sea from Dunkirk, but many soldiers were left here killed and captured.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Dunkirk
The central point of the city is Jean-Bar's Square, one of the most characteristic urban attractions: a powerful gothic tower-beffroy . This tower, almost 60 meters high, was built in the middle of the 15th century as a bell tower for the Church of St. Eligia . In the 18th century the tower with the church was divided, and oday Belfort represents an isolated building of brick, square in section, with decorative turrets at the corners and windows lancet . On each of the four sides Belfort a clock, and has 48 bells Belfry .
The Church of St. Eligia, which is separated from the Beffrea road, was built in the 15th century. After the occupation of the city by the Spaniards, who burned and destroyed everything that came across their way, the former church was destroyed - only the bell tower remained from it. A new beautiful white building was built in the late Gothic style; it stands near the city market. At the end of the 19th century the church acquired a beautiful neo-Gothic façade, which you can admire today. Inside you can see the grave of the very Jean-Bar, the corsair
The city's Dunkirk Town Hall is especially noteworthy. It was built on the site of several successively destroyed Ratusha at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. A solemn opening was attended by the Russian Emperor Nicholas II. In 1940, bombing severely damaged this Town Hall, which was then rebuilt for ten years. Today it is a bright and noticeable red brick building with a high tower, which largely forms an urban silhouette - especially when viewed from the sea.
The Legener tower built in the 15th century is also interesting. It is associated with a specific urban legend, whose roots go back to Dunkirk as a pirate city. According to legend, the tower almost 30 meters high played the role of a false lighthouse. Focusing on its wrong lights, the ships that passed near the shore inevitably confused this place with the harbor and met their end on sharp rocks.
- Take a photo of the monument to corsair Jean Baru and look at his tomb.
- Get herring on the head from the mayor.
Chapel of Our Lady of Dune outside looks quite modest, although her interior decoration is much more colorful. The chapel was built on the site, where, according to legend, one of the workers who built the fortifications in 1403, found the image of the Madonna and the baby. In the 18th century, the chapel, turned into a powder depot, flew into the air, but already in the beginning of the 19th century it was rebuilt anew. For a long time to this day it is considered a chapel of sailors and fishermen who asked for protection and protection from the Mother of God here
Since the city was so badly damaged during the war, there are not many ancient buildings or historical monuments here . That is, There are enough monuments here, but mostly they belong to the military history: the monuments in honor of the fallen in the First and Second World Wars, in the Prussian campaign, the monument to the Polish defenders of the city . Therefore, for many tourists, the most interesting is not the city center, but harbor beach Dunkirka . In the port, the third largest in the country, one can still see the pillboxes of war time and the memorial plaque . There is also a large yacht marina, and those wishing to learn about the work of the port services can take a sea excursion on board a special ship .
Several historical ships were moored: for example, the boat "Sandetti", the task of the team was to maintain the lighthouse. By the way, the operating snow-white lighthouse Risban (in Dunkirk is still others) is considered the northernmost lighthouse of the country. And the beach of Dunkirk is, especially at low tide, an amazingly smooth and wide strip of dark sand, ideal for romantic walks.
Near the harbor is one of the most famous museums of the city - the port . Here on a huge area are all kinds of ship models , books and photographs . Part of the museum is the schooner "Duchess Anna" 1901 . . Of course, in Dunkirk there is also a military museum dedicated to the Second World War; he occupies the former premises of the Allied Staff . Also of interest are the Museum of Fine Arts with a rich collection of Flemish, French, Dutch and Italian paintings and sculptures and a modern art gallery, whose collection includes works of art since the 1950s .
Book popular Dunkirk hotels at the best prices
| Hotel Borel from 4 958 rubles Dunkerque 6 Rue L Hermitte | ||
| Hôtel Welcome - Dunkerque Center from 3 650 rubles Dunkerque 37 rue Président Poincaré | All Suites Appart Hôtel Dunkerque from 3 512 rubles Dunkerque Quai Freycinet, 1 Avenue De L'université | ibis Dunkerque from 3 856 rubles Dunkerque 13 rue du Leu ghenaer |
| B & B Dunkerque Center Gare from 3 443 rubles Dunkerque 15 rue Belle Vue - Place de la Gare | Les Gens De Mer - Dunkerque from 4 063 rubles Dunkerque Quai Du Risban | Hôtel Restaurant l'Hirondelle from 4 682 rubles Dunkerque 46, 48 Avenue du Général Faidherbe |
Events of Dunkirk
The most famous event in the cultural life of Dunkirk is the annual carnival, which is held here at the end of winter - early spring. It is called the umbrella festival and is reasonably considered the most fun and crowded in the whole country. The Dunkirk carnival is a costumed procession, street ensembles, dances in squares, the fish the city head throws from the beffrua, and a sea of fun in the cafe on the embankments: the history of the carnival is associated with the old fishermen's holiday.
Dunkirk neighborhood
In 20 km from the town of Burbur, famous for its Chapel of Light . Created by the modern British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro, this amazing sculptural group consists of 15 figures placed in the church of John the Baptist . The creation of the statues was entrusted artist by the Ministry of Culture in the framework of the project for the restoration of the Gothic church choirs . In addition, during the restoration of the church in 2008 . at its bell tower a magnificent carillon of 50 bells was placed, which are beautifully illuminated in the evening . Every Tuesday in the mornings the carillon ringing spreads over the market square: the tool is equipped with an automatic system, although it can also be operated by a bell ringer .
Gravlin, which is 25 km from Dunkirk, is a quiet small town surrounded by medieval walls . Surprisingly, During the great wars, you can admire the fine examples of French architecture. . As a pleasant entertainment it is worth to take a ride on the city channels or on the so-called promenade of Vauban . The famous marshal-engineer has well strengthened the city from the water, and today along its structures can also swim on a catamaran, a boat or a rowing boat - all these types of transport are hired on a pier near the gate, which is at the entrance to the fortified part of the town . In addition, there is also its own beffrua in Gravlin - not a table pretentious and just 27 meters in height, but also an interesting . The tower was rebuilt in the first half of the 19th century on the site of an old, 17th century, and today is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites .