Bourbourg

French commune
nomcommune=Bourbourg
Location of Bourbourg in the arrondissement of Dunkirk
région=Nord-Pas-de-Calais
département=Nord
arrondissement=Dunkerque
canton=Bourbourg
insee=59094
cp=59630
maire=Francis Bassemon
mandat=2008-2014
intercomm=Dunkerque grand littoral
longitude=2.198611
latitude=50.947222
alt moy=3 m
alt mini=0 m
alt maxi=10 m
hectares=3,849
km²=38.49
sans=6,675
date-sans=2006
dens=173
date-dens=2006

Bourbourg ( _nl. Broekburg) is a commune of the Nord department of France. It is situated in the maritime plain of northern France, at the heart of a triangle formed by Dunkirk, Calais and Saint-Omer.

Historical sites

Rich in history, there are a large number of historic sites to see, such as the former 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 - this is 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 manwill come).

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.

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 Dunkerque, 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.