Gravelines, France

Earlier this year we spent a weekend as guests of tourist board of Dunkirk, France.

I wrote about the ABCs (art, beaches, and cuisine) of Dunkirk a few weeks ago.

That weekend we were also lucky enough to spend a day exploring

a neighboring town in Flanders called Gravelines.

(It's pronounced kind of like grappling hook... gravel-een).

Gravelines lies at the mouth of the Aa river.  (Pronounced Ah-ah. Isn't that a great name?)

Because this area was often changing hands between the French and the Spanish,

not to mention the English, it was heavily fortified.  

One of it's most fascinating features is the hexagonal wall that surrounds the city.

It's one of the few remaining fortified towns in Europe and the thick walls are fully intact.

It dates back to the 12th century and features 6 arrowhead bastions.

It was absolutely fascinating, full of interesting history.

You can walk the Vauban Promenade or better yet, take a boat ride along the moat that surrounds the town.

Which is exactly what we did with Hélène from the Gravelines Tourist Board.

It was a beautiful, quiet morning with ducks gliding by and the sound of bugs buzzing in the trees.

The fortified town is surrounded by green space full of walking and biking trails.

If you are in the area, contact the tourist board for a guide to all of the best local walks.

I realize it's a throw back to a time of conflict and war, but now it's just beautiful and so peaceful.

There a jogging trail along one section.  A guy walking his lab, trying to discourage him from going after the ducks.

Families on bikes.  Two young boys with their fishing gear.

After our boat tour we spent some time exploring the town both inside and outside the walls.

We've both heard of Dunkirk with its infamous history, but we hadn't really heard of Gravelines.

It was such a pleasant surprise and a really enjoyable day.

The boat trips are available April through September and go around the entire 4km length of the ramparts.
You can choose an electric, rowing or peddle boat if you want to go it alone.
Or for 4 euros, you can join a guided tour boat. It takes about an hour.
Be sure to check the website for opening times.

I have a few more posts about our day in Gravelines and the surrounding area.

Where is your favorite spot in Northern France?

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We were the guests of Gravelines Office of Tourism for our stay in Gravelines, France.
  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.

French Flanders Maritime History

Our time exploring Dunkirk was all about the maritime history of the area.

Our day in Gravelines and the surrounding area carried on that theme. 

There is a canal that leads from the walls of Gravelines straight to the sea 
and there is a beautiful marina close by.

Here are three of the stops we made during out tour of the area.

Espace Tourville

In 2002, construction began on a full-size 17th century ship in Gravelines.
Named in honor of the famous French naval commander,
the Jean-Bart will likely take another 20 years to complete.
They are using all original techniques and each piece of oak is custom shaped
and comes from a tree especially chosen for its size and shape.
Visitors are welcome to the construction site and we have a date to return once it's complete.

Musée du Sauvetage

Housed in this small lifeboat shed is a museum dedicated to the brave
people who risked their lives to save those in distress on the sea.
You can step aboard an actual lifeboat and pretend you're sliding down the ramp
to answer a distress call.

Musée de la Mer

The Museum of the Sea in Grand Fort Phillipe right at the mouth of the canal

that leads to Gravelines is a maritime enthusiast's dream.

It tells the stories of the men that kissed their wives and children goodbye,

loaded on to schooners and made the treacherous journey to Iceland to fish.

They would leave around March and not return until September.

I've mentioned before how much we love

visiting coastal cities and hearing about maritime history.

This area is just oozing with it,

not to mention the beautiful surroundings and amazing food of Flanders.

It was a fun-packed weekend and a great, easy getaway from London.

Where is your favorite coastal area?

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We were the guests of Gravelines Office of Tourism for our stay in Gravelines.
  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 Giant's Parade

Today is the 4th of July back home in the States.

(Or as Matt likes to call it "Good Riddance Day".)

I'm sure there are plenty of parades happening is small towns across the US.

Excitement filling the air.  The laughter of the children running about.

Friends greeting each other with hugs.

Families trying to score the best vantage point.

The clashing of instruments as they all practice in preparation for the march.

Costumes and traditional food.

Generations of a community coming together to celebrate.

All of this is exactly what we experienced in the Seawoman's Festival in Grand Fort Phillipe, France.

As I was marching along in the parade I could have been anywhere in the US.

Well, almost.  There were obviously some differences.

Did you know that many French and Belgium towns are homes to a family of giants?

These generations of giants date back hundreds of year.

They marry and have children.  They die and raise large families.

And on special occasions they lead fabulous parades.

This particular one was in honor of the Seawoman's Festival.

It was also a birthday celebration of the newest giant who turned one this year.

 This particular family of giants is made up of a fisherman, his wife and their children.

Along with a few other characters.  

The giants are up to 20 feet tall and made of wicker and fabric and are on wheels.

Each giant is accompanied by a group of supporters all in costume.

Some were even accompanied by a band.

I'm not sure who invited Captain Hook but he brought along some Disney characters

to the delight of the children.

The one that got away.

The newest member of the Giant family and also the birthday girl.

The leader of the band.

 

A visiting dignitary from a visiting town also made an appearance.

 I even got a double-cheek-kiss from the mayor that day.

These are the travel moments that I just love.

If you'd have told me that I was going to meet a family of giants

and march in a parade that day, I never would have believed you.

If felt so good to be a part of that community for the afternoon.

Even if I had no idea what anyone was saying. 

Vive la difference!

Have you marched in a parade?  I'd love to hear about it. 

Happy 4th of July to all of my 'merican friends!!
I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend enjoying your family and friends.  

 

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We were the guests of Gravelines Office of Tourism for our stay in Gravelines.
  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.