Seniors Enjoy Dunkirk

Dunkirk, a commune in northern France, lies only 6.2 miles from the Belgian border. Why the name, seniors ask? The name of Dunkirk derives from West Flemish “dun(e)” and “kerke” (church)= Flemish: “Church of the Dunes”.

Until the middle of the 20th century the city was situated in the French Flemish area. Today the local Flemish dialect, a variety of the Dutch Language, can still be found but has been largely replaced by French. The town was besieged and sacked six times during the Middle Ages.

The third port of France and the first seaport of the North Sea, it is a haven, a tourist destination of unusual beauty with 600 acres of preserved sand dunes. Dunkirk has a ferry connection with Dover in England and is the liveliest of the three big English Channel ports, plus it’s a university town with fewer empty shops than central Calais and busy streets that out hustle modest Boulogne.

It has an appealing, boat-filled inner harbor, the Bassin du Commerce, and an attractive beachfront suburb, Malo-les-Bains, from whose vast sandy beach the evacuation of Allied troops took place in 1940. Here you will find many interesting specs on Dunkirk.

Senior History Buffs Drawn to Dunkirk

Dunkirk is one of the few places in Europe that seamlessly combines a wealth of history with fabulous boutique shops, hypermarkets, delightful restaurants, a stunning golf course and miles of sweeping sandy beaches.

Dunkirk has a number of restored buildings that are worth visiting, including the 15th-century church of St-Éloi, the Flemish Hôtel de Ville and the medieval red-brick belfry, the town’s main feature. Dunkerque has not one, but two belfries classified as World Heritage Sites. The Port Museum has a rich collection of maritime history of the territory.

A little history: During World War II, more than 300,000 Allied troops who were cut off from retreat on land by the German breakthrough to the French Channel ports were evacuated (May 26–June 4, 1940) from Dunkirk. The retreat was carried out by all kinds of available British craft, some manned by civilian volunteers, and was protected by the Royal Air Force. It is considered one of the epic actions of naval history.

 Seven hundred hectares of dunes,15 kilometers of beaches, and a recognized sailing resort make the Flanders coast an increasingly popular seaside resort for senior tourists who can find quality activities and entertainment all year round.

And food. Thanks to it’s proximity to the sea, the food in Dunkirk is an interesting fusion of Flemish cuisine and seafood. I’d recommend the Moules-frites with a bottle of local beer or some chilled white wine that make for a popular meal enjoyed by many locals. I’ll depart today with a “full wiki” on Dunkirk, with pertinent information for senior visitors. Enjoy the site as well as the city. jeb