As part of our road trip through Europe, Boulogne-sur-Mer happened to be our first stop in France and it was a surprisingly pleasant one. As it turned out, Boulonge was not only located by the sea as indicated by the addition sur-Mer, but it had also been quite an important harbor town throughout the centuries. Initially founded during Roman times, Boulogne became known as the major port used by the Romans to conquer and rule Britain.
After a brief period of Germanic presence and an alternating occupation of French and English kingdoms during the Middle Ages, Boulogne finally ended up as an imperial city of France. At some point William the Conqueror passed through this port town to invade Britain and even Napoleon once attempted to do the same with Boulogne-sur-Mer as the base. During the First World War it became the major port for the British troops to land in France and WW2 saw Boulogne-sur-Mer once more as a strategic and war decisive harbor city.
Nowadays Boulogne-sur-Mer seemed to be split in two. On the one hand there was the lower new town with the port which unfortunately had made a comeback as concrete city after its complete destruction at the end of WW2, while on the other hand there was the beautifully preserved old town. This walled old town of Boulogne-sur-Mer consisted not only of nice historical buildings, but also a complete city wall, a medieval castle, a Notre-Dame Basilica with a tall standing dome and even a UNESCO inscribed belfry from the 12th century. Exploring this old town with its little alleys and shaded ramparts on foot was definitely the perfect thing to do…
Impressions of Boulogne-sur-Mer Old Town
City Wall and Ramparts
City Gate of Walled Old Town Boulogne-sur-Mer
Watch Tower of the Boulogne-sur-Mer City Wall
Shaded Ramparts of Port City Boulogne-sur-Mer
Chateau and Castle Museum
Entrance to the Chateau Castle of Boulogne-sur-Mer
Castle Museum and City Wall of Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer Castle Chateau and Basilica Dome
Basilica of Notre Dame Cathedral
Dome of Notre Dame Basilica in Boulogne-sur-Mer
Our Lady Basilica of Notre Dame in Boulogne-sur-Mer
Inside the Basilica of Notre Dame in Boulogne-sur-Mer
Main Street Rue de Lille
Rue de Lille and Basilica Dome in Boulogne-sur-Mer
Main Street of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Rue de Lille
Shops and Restaurants of Rue de Lille in Boulogne-sur-Mer
Houses of the Side Streets
Quiet Side Alleys of Boulogne-sur-Mer in France
Historical Stone Houses of Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer Side Streets with Stone Houses
Blue Doors and Stone Architecture of Boulogne-sur-Mer
Prominent Buildings
Building at Place de la Resistance in Boulogne-sur-Mer
UNESCO inscribed Belfry of Boulogne-sur-Mer
TIP: There was a caravan camp site just north of Boulogne-sur-Mer and the splendid sunset views over the sea actually make up for the lack of facilities. Arrive late and leave early if you like to avoid payment.
Do you enjoy exploring walled old towns like Boulogne-sur-Mer as well?
This post is part of Travel Photo Mondays and Sunday Traveler above.
Dear Mr Dennis
Nice to go through your blog after a gap of almost one month.There is no necessity of subscribing to a travel mag, if one gets a continuous travel inputs from you!
How did you spend time during the period you were not traveling? Working I suppose to build funds for the future travels!
All the very best for the future travels!
Thank you very much dear Srinivas! It is great to hear that you are following my adventures so closely. Yes, I do spend my time sometimes travelling and sometimes working. Lately I have been working a lot on my van as well, with which we actually drove down to Boulogne-sur-Mer…
What a charming little french town! Great photos x
Kelly recently posted…Days Out in England: The Making of Harry Potter
Thank you very much Kelly, I am glad to hear that you liked the little visual tour of Boulogne-sur-Mer…
The photo of the quiet side alley is my fave! Thanks for linking up to #SundayTraveler again.
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Travel to Croatia: Colours of Dalmatia vacation inspiration
It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the little side alleys of Boulogne-sur-Mer, SJ. They were in fact what made the old town perfect to get lost in…
Wonderful looking old French town.
Charles McCool recently posted…Virginia Wine is For Lovers
Thanks a lot Charles, I am glad to hear that you liked this old French town of Boulogne-sur-Mer…
It’s been too long since I’ve visited this area, what a gorgeous city and historic district, I love visiting places like this.
noel recently posted…The Belvedere at twilight – Travel Photo Mondays
It’s great to hear that you also enjoy historic towns like Boulogne-sur-Mer, Noel! If it has been a while since you visited this part of France, then I would highly recommend to visit again, ideally by road trip to explore all the other little town along the way…
Wow, what a quaint little town. I love all the stone buildings!
Adelina // Pack Me To recently posted…Shipwrecked at Fort Steven’s State Park
Great that you enjoy seeing the stone buildings of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Adelina! They really were worth visiting, as was the entire old town to be honest…
I love exploring places like this – the main street looks lovely! Great photos
Molly S recently posted…Paris la Nuit
Thanks a lot Molly! It’s great that you also like to explore old towns like Boulogne-sur-Mer. The main street was nice and lively while the rest was really relaxed and enjoyably quiet. Overall a really great place to visit in France…
Hi Dennis,.thanks for introducing me to Boulogne-sur-Mer. I have not heard of it before. I love exploring Medieval walled town. Bologne looks remarkably well preserved and I find its history fascinating. I hope to make it there next time I’m in France. Your photos are beautiful.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted…Jewels of Tuscany: Siena and San Gimignano
Thank you very much Marisol! It’s great to hear that you also love exploring old towns that are nicely preserved and give one the impression that time stood still for centuries. Boulogne-sur-Mer is definitely such a place and to my greatest surprise the entire city was not only complete but in really good condition. Definitely check it out when you make to France again…
Awesome photos and read! Thanks for sharing.
Shaun
Shaun recently posted…Areoplan Travel Hack – Earn a Whack of Miles Through Shop.ca
I am glad you enjoyed it Shaun! Boulogne-sur-Mer is definitely a great place to visit when in France…
What a classic European town … too bad more of it could have survived the bombs of WWII, but that’s life!
Caroline recently posted…Three Ways to Protect Your Home While Youâre away Travelling
You are right Caroline, it seems often quite a shame that not more historical architecture survives through time!But either way, the old town of Boulogne-sur-Mer is still well worth the visit…
What an impressive old city … can’t wait to see it when I get to France!
James recently posted…Breathtaking lakes in Canada