Boulogne-sur-Mer

Best of Boulogne-sur-Mer

Arrondissement of Boulogne-sur-Mer Essentials

Explore the diverse heritage of the Boulogne-sur-Mer region, from the depths of Nausicaá, Europe's largest aquarium, to the 19th-century Basilica of Notre-Dame with its vast crypt. The historic upper town features a 12th-century UNESCO-listed belfry and intact medieval ramparts. Napoleonic history is preserved at the 53-meter Column of the Grande Armée, while WWII remnants are found at the Todt Battery. Coastal highlights include the Neo-Tudor Château d’Hardelot, the 17th-century Fort Mahon in Ambleteuse, and the scenic cliffs of Pointe des Oies.

Arrondissement of Boulogne-sur-Mer Essentials — Map

Matthieu Sontag / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer

Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer is a public aquarium located in Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France.

Velvet / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Basilica of Notre-Dame, Boulogne

The Basilica of Notre-Dame, Boulogne, otherwise the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, is a minor basilica located in…

C

Beffroi

A 12th-century former keep and the oldest monument in the city. It is part of the group of belfries in Belgium and France designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Felouch Kotek / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Column of the Grande Armée

The Column of the Grande Armée is a 53 metre high Corinthian order triumphal column on the Rue Napoleon in Wimille, near Boulogne-sur-Mer,…

Olivier Duquesne / CC BY-SA 2.0

E

Château d'Hardelot

A 19th-century manor house built in the Neo-Tudor style on the foundations of a 13th-century castle. It now serves as a cultural center dedicated to Franco-British relations.

Romainberth / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Todt Battery Museum (Casemate 1)

Housed in one of the largest coastal artillery batteries of the Atlantic Wall, this WWII museum displays military equipment, including a rare Krupp K5 railway gun.

Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Fort Mahon

Also known as Fort d'Ambleteuse, this late 17th-century coastal fortification was designed by Vauban. It is the only fort of its type preserved on the Channel coast.

H

Ville Fortifiée

The historic upper town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, enclosed by four well-preserved 13th-century ramparts. It contains the city's castle-museum, the belfry, and the basilica.

I

Pointe des Oies

A scenic coastal viewpoint located between Wimereux and Ambleteuse, characterized by rocky cliffs, diverse marine flora, and views across the English Channel.

J

Plage de Boulogne-sur-Mer

A wide sandy beach situated adjacent to Nausicaá, featuring a seaside promenade and facilities for windsurfing and sand yachting.

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Regional Heritage Sites Historic Churches & Basilicas