Bourbourg

History

In the second half of the 3rd century AD the North Sea broke through the sand dunes to the Flemish coast in an event known as attributed to the second Dunkirk Transgression. Then in 7th century siltation of the sea intrusion created a vast coastal swamp with some dry areas. This enabled local residents between the 7th and the 12th century to begin to use the areas resources base on the polder model.

The first mention of Bourbourg is in 1035AD although the settlement is probably older, possibly even from the end of the 9th century. The oldest part of the city is located immediately southwest of the parochial St. John's Church, and the town was proabably part of Flemish defensive line against the Normans.

The Church Saint-Jean-Baptiste was founded by Clementia of Burgundy, Countess of Flanders, in 1100AD and just south of the city a Benedictine monastery, (St Mary's Abbey) was established by her husband Robert II of Jerusalem. After a while it became the custom in that monastery that only nuns of noble descent could join, which gave it the name "Abbey of noble ladies". In 1104AD, the city was named as a fortress and become the Centre of a Castellan domain of the same name. The Castallans domain was approximately 12,700 ha in 1071AD and had 10 villages in a triangle between the North Sea, the Aa river and the Lemonades-Loon line.

The city was important in the wars against the Normans and later in the French-English wars. Following the Armistice of 1375 Bourbourg changed to French hands and carried in that capacity to the decline of Flanders. In 1382 troops from the city fought in the battle of Westrozebeke on the side of the French conquerors. The following year The English took the city before being repulsed by the French.

From then until the 17th century, the city underwent a period of economic and cultural prosperity, and in 1458 the city was granted authorisation to hold weekly and annual markets. This prosperity lasted until the Franco-Spanish wars, when the city was in the front line and repeatedly exchanged between occupying forces.

Historical sites

There are a large number of historic sites to see, such as the former jail. Originally built in 1539 under Spanish rule, the three-storey 18th-century prison building in the main square includes several dungeons and strongrooms. Above the entrance door is a sundial with the motto Qua hora non-putatis, part of a verse from the Bible, Luke 12:40, Et vos estote parati quia qua hora non-putatis Filius hominis venit ("Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not the Son of man will come.").

Other interesting old buildings include the Gothic church (Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste), parts of which date from the thirteenth century, and whose choir shelters a huge installation by Anthony Caro called "The Chapel of Light"; the old Fishmarket (halle au poisson) which dates from 1587 and has twice-weekly fresh fish markets; and a 16th-century fortified farmhouse, the Manoir du Withof.

Places of interest

The town is crossed by the canal that goes from Dunkirk to the Aa. You can walk along the canal which skirts the old town walls built by Spanish king Philip II as part of his border defences for Flanders. There are also footpaths and cycle routes out into the attractive flat countryside typical of the coastal area between Calais and Dunkerque.

A new boat-stop quay provides facilities for leisure boaters touring the region's canals and waterways to stop here. The 18th-century canal was once important for carrying agricultural produce to Dunkirk, avoiding the hazards of the North Sea coast.

The town's market day is Tuesday morning; fish markets are on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and there is a Christmas market in the Fishmarket.

Residents