We spent a few days exploring this vastly beautiful and historic area from our campsite base in the little town of Verchin in North-west France. Learn more about this campsite here.

North-west France
Camping in Verchin, France

Dunkerque (or the English spelling Dunkirk) and Calais were particularly important beaches in World War 2.

Dunkirk
Dunkirk, quaint and quiet.

Dunkirk was the site of Operation Dynamo in which 338 000 British and French soldiers were evacuated in early June 1940 as the Germans bore down on Flanders.

Dunkirk
Swimming in the sea off Dunkirk, site of Operation Dynamo.

Ships of all sizes made the trip across the channel time and time again braving Luftwaffe strikes in what is known as the Miracle of Dunkirk.

Dunkirk
Dunkirk WW1 and WW2 memorial.

Both towns have various memorials commemorating the dead of WW1 and WW2, indeed almost all French towns do.

Originally founded by Saint Eloi in the 7th century the Church of St. Eloi burned down in the 1500s and this edifice was built in the 18th century in a Neo-Gothic style. Dunkirk’s most famous son, Jean Bart, is buried here. He was a great soldier and sailor in the 1600s and is credited with saving his country from starvation by capturing Russian ships laden with wheat.

Dunkirk
St. Eloi’s Church, Dunkirk

The French towns in this rural area are largely agriculturally orientated and are almost all Medieval in appearance.  Calais has a watchtower built in the 13th century – the only remaining aspect of medieval Calais.

Calais
13th century watchtower in Calais.

South-east of Calais, the town of Boulogne (used by the Roman Emperor Claudius as his base for Roman invasions of England) has a 53-meter high monument to Napoleon called the Colonne de la Grande Armee.  The other popular landmark of this town is the Basilica Notre Dam de Boulogne.

North west France
Basillica Notre Dam de Boulogne

St. Omer lies inland south of Dunkirk and Calais and dates from about the 7th century.

North west france
Cathedral at St. Omer.

The Cathedral was built between the 13-14th centuries.  

North west France
Ruins of the St. Bertin Abbey, St. Omer.

The hauntingly beautiful ruins of the Benedictine St. Bertin Abbey, built in the 14th century, are also a great tourist attraction in this town.

North west france
Looking out over the Channel at Cap Gris Nez.

Between Calais and Boulogne is Cap Gris Nez with its 70-meter high lighthouse (visible from 30 miles away) and radar and German bunkers.

North west France
Radar outpost at Cap Gris Nez.

The south coast of England is visible on clear days from here and has been a watch-point for centuries of war-fare across the channel.

North west France
German bunkers were built into the cliffs.

Thoughts and Things

The story of Dunkirk has been told in many ways, in many mediums, for many years. Operation Dynamo is regarded as one of the greatest escapes of all time.