Exploring Dunkerque In A Weekend
For a weekend of fun, fine cuisine and culture, you can easily get to Dunkerque on the coast of France near the Belgian boarder. The city is a 40-minute drive from the Calais terminal of the Eurotunnel.
There is lots for you to do in Dunkerque. You can stroll around this beautiful seaside town and enjoy the fine cuisine. There is even a gourmet weekend allowing tourists an opportunity to sample the local food. The offer includes a night in a bed-and-breakfast.
The town has a vibrant night life, with a variety of bars and nightclubs, as well as a casino.
The city itself is quite beautiful. Dunkerque is known for its churches. Visitors can take in the quaint architecture in this small sea-side city while shopping and sight-seeing. There are numerous shops in the city which stock local wares and produce.
Shopping In Dunkerque
Those who love shopping will enjoy a trip to Dunkerque. The town centre has 400 shops, and there are a number of malls around town. The Malo les bains has several shops, and has outdoor markets every Saturday at the Place du General de Gaulle. There is also the Marine shopping centre, and the Pole Marine on Place du Minck.
Both of those malls offer free parking.
Dunkerque is one of many day trips to France you can take via the Eurotunnel.
There are numerous fine restaurants around town. There are a few museums to visit.There are, as well, opportunities for such activities as golf and horseback riding.
Lots of Accommodation Choices For The Weekend Visitor
There is a wide selection of accommodations available for the weekend traveler. Tourists can find suitable accommodations in everything from hotels to bed-and-breakfasts. Beautiful seaside homes and lets and gites are available for weekends as well. There are accommodations for all budgets.
Directions To Dunkerque
Getting to Dunkerque is simple for British tourists. Get on the M20 and take exit 11A near Folkstone to enter the Eurotunnel. At the Calais terminal, turn right on the Avenue to France, and take the right fork to merge onto the A16. Then drive east and take Exit 62, which leads to Dunkerque’s city centre.
There is also a ferry crossing between Dover and Dunkerque.
Remember to have your passport ready, as well as your driver’s licence. French law also requires that you carry a Norme Francaise-approved breathalyser, a warning triangle and a reflective jacket in case of breakdown. Alternately, you can take the train. Dunkerque is about 45 minutes from Calais by train.
History
The town sustained heavy damage during World War 11. But Dunkerque remains rich in history. Most recently, when Germany invaded France in 1940, the British and French armies tried in vain to repel the armoured onslaught. But they were unsuccessful, and retreated to Dunkerque.
With their backs to the English Channel, the retreating armies, helpless against the German troops, had nowhere to go. British High Command responded by quickly assembling a flotilla of military and private craft of all sizes. The force managed to evacuate 330,000 men from Dunkerque, and the British population rejoiced at the success. But Winston Churchill injected a note of sobriety when he observed that wars are not won by evacuations.
If you are going to the War Museum, remember to check the hours first.
