Three Museums in Dunkirk, France

We've covered the Beaches and Cuisine of the ABC's of Dunkirk.

Today it's time to cover the Art.  We visited three very different museums in Dunkirk.

Memorial du Souvenir - Dunkerque War Museum

Obviously after playing such an important role in WWII, there has to be a War Museum in Dunkirk.  It's a small museum but definitely worth a visit for just a few euros.  It focuses on the Battle of Dunkerque and Operation Dynamo.  It's run by very knowledgeable volunteers who are eager to tell the stories of the collection.  There is a film in both French and English that tells the story of the massive evacuation from the French perspective which was really interesting.

FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais

Dunkirk was once a busy shipbuilding port but until recently many of the docks and industrial buildings sat empty and derelict.  This massive structure built in the 1940's became known as "the cathedral" and was selected to become the new home of this contemporary art museum.  The cavernous building has been cleaned up but still sits open and empty.  Alongside of it they've built a new lightweight structure made of concrete, steel beams, corrugated sheeting and air filled layers of plastic that mirrors the old warehouse perfectly.  The contemporary art collection was interesting but the new building was truly amazing.  It's open and airy, massive and stark with wonderful views into the beautiful older structure that was its inspiration and the sea on the other side.

The Port Museum

This was my favorite.  It's one of the most well-presented museums I've visited.  It's located in a 19th century industrial building in the historic Citadel area and encompasses the extensive maritime history of Dunkirk. The museum is also home to three amazing ships that you can explore.  We went aboard the Duchesse Anne which was once a naval training vessel that was given to the French as part of the war reparations in 1946.  She's been entirely refurbished and is beautiful.   There were men climbing up the ropes to make some repairs.  I could just imagine the ship in her heyday with sailors clamoring about.  It's between 3 and 10 euros depending on what you visit.  We also had a few more Jean Bart sightings. Can you spot him?

Dunkirk is also home to the LAAC Contemporary Art Museum surrounding by a sculpture garden overlooking the beach and the MBA Museum of Fine Arts with an extensive and eclectic collection.  We didn't have time to visit during this trip but hope to get back soon.

We had a great evening and day exploring Dunkirk.

It was nice to experience more than just the war history of the area.

There is certainly more to offer.

On Sunday we were off to visit the neighboring town of Gravelines where we 

joined a Giant's Parade.   More on that to come.

What is your favorite type of museum?

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We were the guests of Dunkirk's Office of Tourism for our stay in Dunkirk.
  All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

The Cuisine of Dunkirk, France

We're covering the ABC's of Dunkirk completely out of order.

I've showed you the Beaches and today I just had to jump to the Cuisine.

You're not likely to have a bad meal in France.  I've heard that it happens but highly unlikely.
 Here are four of the places in Dunkirk that made our tastebuds sing.
I hope you enjoy the #foodporn.

 Fromage!

Yves Bouclet is the master of the over 300 cheeses that you will find at the crèmerie “la Ferme”.  So much cheese, so little time.  We tasted several wonderful options, each one yummier than the previous.

 

Market Day

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the city center of Dunkirk is transformed into a massive market.  I'm dying to try this rotisserie chicken.  The drippings fall all over potatoes and the smell is heavenly.  The strawberries in France taste like they've been dipped in sugar.  Gorgeous! In a port city like Dunkirk, the seafood is so fresh it's still moving.  My camera and tummy were so happy.

Comme Vous Voulez

We had lunch on the promenade at this lovely restaurant overlooking the beach.

The name translates to "as you wish" and the menu is everything that a French menu should be.  Exciting and a little scary for a picky eater like me. The wine helped to bring out my more adventurous palate.  The dessert was my reward for trying the mushrooms.  It was a glorious combination of fresh oranges, tart, caramel, creme, sorbet and cocoa.  I will never forget that dessert.  (Wiping away a tear.)

Aux Doigts de Jean-Bart

I mentioned the town hero Jean Bart was quite the rascal.  You'll see signs of him brandishing his sword all over the city.  My very favorite sighting of the swashbuckler came in the form of chocolate.  A stop at a patisserie is a must when you're in France. Aux Doigts de Jean-Bart is a superb example. Over that past 100 years, four generations of the Vandewalle family have been making pastries in Dunkirk.  Their specialty is this pastry which translates to Jean Bart's fingers.  It's a secret recipe but involves an almond biscuit, coffee cream and chocolate.  I should have brought a dozen or more home.

My mouth is watering like crazy right now.  Is yours?

What's your favorite French food?

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We were the guests of Dunkirk's Office of Tourism for our stay in Dunkirk.
  All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

The ABC's of Dunkirk, France

If you are a WWII history buff, then you know all about Operation Dynamo in 1940.

It's an amazing story of bravery and courage.  Over 300,000 British, French and Belgium soldiers were evacuated across the English Channel by an unlikely fleet of 800 boats.  That amazing fleet included military ships as well as the 'little ships',  lifeboats, fishing boats and pleasure crafts, vessels of all shapes and sizes.

The setting for this miraculous rescue that changed the course of the war was Dunkirk, France.

The 'Miracle of Dunkirk' is a story that is very close to Matthew's heart.

His grandfather was in Dunkirk in 1940 and became separated from his command.

He was one of the many soldiers that were captured, marched to Poland to spend

the next five years as a prisoner of war.

Operation Dynamo is an epic moment in the story of Dunkirk.

But, we were invited to spend the weekend in Dunkirk to experience everything else that

this city in Northern France has to offer

 Matthew and I both have a passion for visiting coastal cities.

There is just something special about how that water winds its way through every aspect of life.

Dunkirk is the third largest port in France and has a rich maritime history.

So, it's only appropriate that we arrived by sea.

A two-hour ferry ride from Dover and it was time to explore Dunkirk and the surrounding area.

Dunkirk is located on the Northern Coast of France, just miles from  the French- Belgium border in an area known as Flanders.  It started as a fishing village in the middle ages and has been in the hands of the French, Spanish, English and Dutch at one time or another.  The story of this port city is full of kings and pirates, battles and intrigue.

 

Remember that movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, The Man in the Iron Mask?

It's based on the true story of a political prisoner who was arrested in Dunkirk.

The town hero is a man named Jean Bart who was an infamous corsair with quite a colorful reputation. 

On our first morning, we took a walk through Malo Les Bains, the seaside resort of Dunkirk

that was established in the late 1800's.  The architecture was lovely and a nice surprise.  Wealthy families built the most beautiful homes as they discovered the many joys of living near the sea.

  

Our stroll led us straight to the beach promenade that runs along the water.

There are terraced restaurants and outdoor dining along the way.

The weather was a bit chilly but can't you just imagine this place in the summer?

I fell in love with these adorable beach huts.

Dunkirk is known for it's watersports; sailing, sand yachting, canoeing, and kite surfing.

Longe côte was founded in Dunkirk and looks like quite a work out.

You walk through the surf with water up to your waist using a paddle to help propel you.

Wide, clean, sandy, white beaches are just waiting for the sun lovers to show up.

 A visit to the city center was next on the agenda.  It's not a European city without a gothic church at it's center that been rebuilt and restored numerous times.  The Saint-Eloi Church was founded in the 7th Century, burned down a few years later, rebuilt in the 18th Century, revamped in the 19th Century.

 Across the street you'll find the church's belfry that was constructed in the 13th Century.  It's detached from it's church because of a fire in 1558. The belfry has been restored and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It's home to 50 bells which ring every quarter hour.  We timed our climb up to the top perfectly so that we weren't inside the enclosed spiral staircase when they started to chime.  For just a few euros, you get the most magnificent views of Dunkirk and the surrounding area.  (An elevator takes you part of the way up.)

Our wonderful guide for the weekend, Laurence, was eager to show us "the magic ABC of arts, beaches and cuisine."

 I've told you a little about the beaches today.  My next two posts will cover the art and the cuisine.

I'll also post more details about our DFDS Ferry experience.

Three times this week I've responded "merci" to a waiter as they served my food.

In London.

After two trips in two months, my heart is still in France.

I can't even tell you how much fun I had last weekend with the girls in Provence.

We drank all the rosé and I haven't laughed so much (and so loudly) in way too long.

I can't wait to show you more.  I hope you'll follow along.

Have you taken a ferry from England to France?

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE | BLOGLOVIN


We were the guests of Dunkirk's Office of Tourism for our stay in Dunkirk.
  All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.