Summary
Dunkirk, the northernmost Francophone city, is situated mere minutes from the Belgian border. The city’s maritime history is rich, marked by whaling, fishing, and trade; the port continues to facilitate passenger transit across the channel to Dover today.
The coastline invites recreational activities, from beach enjoyment to invigorating excursions in the dune landscapes. Dunkirk is historically notable for the evacuation of Allied forces in 1940, with a museum dedicated to this significant event located where operations were coordinated. Additionally, visitors should explore the UNESCO-listed belfry and the port museum housing historic vessels.
Let’s delve into the top attractions in Dunkirk:
1. Musée Portuaire
This 19th-century tobacco warehouse is one of the few historical structures that survived the war and provides an insightful narrative of the port’s enduring legacy.
Exhibits focus on the city’s historical whaling and cod fishing industries in the 19th century, which involved voyages lasting six months around Iceland.
Three heritage vessels are docked adjacent to the museum, with the Duchesse Anne, a three-masted ship constructed in Germany in 1901, being the largest. It is also the only tall ship accessible for tours in France.
2. Beffroi de Dunkerque
The belfry of Dunkirk is part of a group of Flanders belfries recognized by UNESCO.
Constructed in the 15th century as a replacement for an old watchtower, it originally served as the campanile of the adjacent Saint-Eloi church.
The church was destroyed in a French assault during the 1500s, leaving only the tower intact.
Standing at nearly 60 metres tall, visitors can ascend for a splendid panoramic view of the city.
Accessing the summit requires a climb of 60 steps, even after taking the elevator five floors up.
At the top, one can appreciate the carillon of 48 bells and their mechanics, which chime every 15 minutes and play a segment of La Cantate à Jean Bart on the hour—a piece of particular significance to Dunkirk.
3. Plage de Malo-les-Bains
To the east of the port lies Dunkirk’s vast sandy beach, among the finest in the northern region, attracting visitors throughout the summer.
Malo-les-Bains, once a separate town, has been integrated into Dunkirk since the 1960s.
Adjacent to the promenade, a variety of ice cream parlors and restaurants serve dishes such as mussels and French fries, with stunning beach views stretching out to the horizon.
Families can enjoy pedal-kart rides along the waterfront, available in four-seater versions, making it a delightful family outing.
4. Dunkirk 1940 Museum
Bastion 32, constructed in 1874 after the Franco-Prussian War, was developed to reinforce France’s defenses.
This structure served as the coordination center for Operation Dynamo in May and June of 1940, during which more than 330,000 soldiers were evacuated from France.
The museum presents detailed accounts of the planning and execution of the operation, alongside an array of historical artifacts from this pivotal moment in the Second World War.
Exhibitions include a 15-minute film documenting the evacuation, along with authentic military items such as weapons and uniforms, and detailed scale models.
5. Parc Zoologique de Fort Mardyck
Although not the largest zoo, it provides an engaging experience for children by introducing various animal species without becoming overwhelming.
The park features 40 species, including brown bears, lynxes, seals, flamingos, macaws, beavers, dwarf goats, and griffon vultures.
One intriguing resident is the collared peccary, a South and Central American mammal related to pigs and capable of enduring bites from venomous snakes.
6. LAAC
Situated opposite Dunkirk 1940, this modern art museum resides in a striking building adorned with white ceramic tiles amidst a landscaped sculpture garden.
With over 1,500 artworks on display spanning from the 1940s to the 1980s, the emphasis is on pop art, including works by Andy Warhol, and contributions from CoBrA artists of the 1940s and 1950s.
Notable works include vibrant sculptures by Karel Appel, a prominent figure in this short-lived artistic movement.
The Cabinet d’Arts at LAAC is a highlight, providing drawers containing approximately 200 prints and drawings for guests to peruse.
7. Tour du Leughenaer
The oldest monument in Dunkirk, this octagonal tower stands 30 metres tall along Quai des Américains, originally constructed in 1450 as a maritime beacon and later modified over centuries.
In the 1700s, the brick tower was adapted into a viewing platform for the harbor, and in the early 19th century, a lantern was added, transforming it into a lighthouse.
The name derives from old Dutch, meaning “liar,” a moniker attributed to the numerous ships that ran aground under its guidance, allegedly leading to town plundering.
8. Dunkirk Carnival
The infamous Dunkirk Carnival boasts a reputation that extends well beyond the city limits.
This vibrant festival occurs from mid-January to late March, peaking during the three days preceding Ash Wednesday.
Known as the “Trois Joyeuses,” this celebration draws around 40,000 participants donning outrageous costumes, often featuring humorous drag attire for men. On Sunday, the “visscherbende” band parades through the city, adorned in yellow rain hats, inviting everyone to join in their musical festivities.
This representation of the fishermen who historically ventured to Iceland for herring culminates in the mayor tossing nearly half a ton of wrapped smoked herring into the eager crowd on Sunday afternoon.
9. La Dune Marchand
Adjacent to the Belgian border lies an 83-hectare nature reserve protecting one of the coastal dune systems in Flanders.
This dynamic ecosystem is home to over 400 plant species, such as marram grass, buckthorn, and dunegrass.
During springtime, the melodies of nightingales can be heard, while autumn brings migratory birds nesting in the tall grass, shrubs, and woodlands.
The beach, Plage à Bray-Dunes, is breathtaking at low tide when the expanse of sand seems limitless.
Visitors can enjoy windy walks in winter or timeless family enjoyment during sunny summer days.
10. Gravelines
In the 17th century, Gravelines marked the boundary between France and Flanders, then under Spanish rule.
After undergoing capture and subsequent liberation, the town was heavily fortified, with much of its architecture still fully intact today.
The notable engineer Vauban was tasked with enhancing the town’s defenses, shaping Gravelines into a star-like citadel through the creation of bastions and a network of moats.
A walk along the ramparts provides an engaging experience, while the current museum for drawing and engraving located in the former arsenal is worth exploring.
The town’s belfry is recognized as one of the 23 listed by UNESCO.
11. Bergues
Located just under ten kilometers south of Dunkirk, Bergues is a charming town fortified by ramparts designed by Vauban, which incorporate remnants of earlier medieval defenses.
Visitors will enjoy leisurely strolls along the picturesque banks of the winding moats and canals, although sharing the space with flocks of geese may be common.
The primary attraction in Bergues is its 47-meter tall belfry, constructed from yellow sandstone and listed by UNESCO.
This tower has undergone multiple iterations since its inception in the 12th century, with the current design established in the 16th and 17th centuries.
12. Platier d’Oye
Located en route to Calais, the Platier d’Oye natural reserve features a complex system of wetlands recognized as the primary feeding zone for migratory birds heading to their winter habitats.
The area is nourished by the River Aa, and tidal conditions can occasionally inundate the park with seawater.
This variance in soil salinity fosters a remarkable diversity of plant life within a relatively compact area.
Throughout the year, a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds can be observed, with winter strolls offering the chance to spot choughs, snow buntings, and skylarks.
13. Jardin du Mont des Récollets
In the summer, a pleasant drive south leads to Mont des Récollets, a gently rolling hill offering views of a landscape characterized by windmills, cereal fields, and hedges.
From Thursday to Sunday, the Jardin du Mont des Récollets opens its doors for visitors to explore topiary boxwoods, orchards, flower beds, lawns, and precisely trimmed avenues of yews.
The gardens are surrounded by a charming farmhouse featuring a crow-stepped gable, a testament to its restoration from total ruin just 25 years ago.
14. Saint-Omer
A visit to Saint-Omer, situated 40 kilometers from Dunkirk, reveals a city with evident affluence.
The city center showcases Flemish-style mansions and neo-classical townhouses adorned with pilasters.
The museum within the 18th-century Hôtel Sandelin illustrates the wealth accumulated by the merchant class and nobility, through an extensive collection of paintings and historical ceramics.
The notable gothic cathedral, recognized as one of the most ornately decorated in France, features an astronomical clock with a mechanism dating back to 1558, and an organ crafted by the esteemed organ-maker Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in the 19th century.
15. Cuisine
The traditional cuisine in Dunkirk carries a Belgian influence, enhancing its regional flavors.
Beer is a common ingredient in many dishes, such as coq à la bière (chicken prepared in beer) and carbonnade flamande, a cherished braised beef and onion stew.
Potjevleesch, a terrine made from pork, rabbit, and chicken set in jelly, is commonly served cold.
Mussels, either simmered with onions and white wine or in a Provençal sauce, are a local favorite.
Each of these dishes pairs delightfully with French fries, served with a generous portion of mayonnaise.
