River tours to Gravelines, Watten or
along the Bourbourg Canal
Building boat-stop quay facilities by the canal as part of
an adult training scheme
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Historic fortified town
Bourbourg is a now a quiet small town on the Canal de
Bourbourg which runs parallel to the coast between the River
Aa, Dunkerque and the Belgian border.
Canal
A new boat-stop quay provides facilties for leisure boaters
touring the region's canals
and waterways to stop at the town. The 18th century
canal was once important for carrying agricultural produce
to Dunkerque, avoiding the hazards of the North Sea
coast.
Country Walks
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.
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Visit Bourbourg's 18th century jail
16th century Manoir du Withof
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Town Jail
Originally built in 1539 under Spanish
rule, the three-story 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" - "no-one knows the time."
Other interesting old buildings include the gothic church
(Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste), parts of which date
from the 13th century; 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 , now renovated as a Gite de
France B&B (ref.:1123)
- see 'where to
stay'.
Details of places of interest and walks from the Tourist
Office.
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Bourbourg's "giants" lead a festive processions in the town
square
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Town Giants
Gédéon, Arthurine and new
Florentine lead the procession of visiting "giants"
from other towns in their annual festival each June, when
locals and visitors join in the festivities.
Weekly markets
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.
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