Bourbourg

The ancient town of Bourbourg, which grew up on an area of drained marshland over a thousand years ago, seems to huddle beneath the imposing Gothic choir of its 13th-century church. From its early days as a stronghold protecting the coastline, it was to become, in turn, a major religious centre, a fertile agricultural area and a major manufacturing site.

Little industrial activity remains in Bourbourg ; today, this town of 6500 inhabitants, located at the centre of the triangle formed by Saint-Omer, Gravelines and Dunkirk, is known for its vast open landscapes and its sprinkling of architectural treasures. Since 2008, Bourbourg has been home to the sculptures created by internationally renowned British artist Anthony Caro in the town's church, which was restored after the bombings of the Second World War. This ancient fortress is now entering a new chapter of its history, one that its visitors - lovers of nature, art and heritage - will help to write.