Bourbourg
Bourbourg
Broekburg | |
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Dunkerque | |
Canton | Grande-Synthe |
Intercommunality | CU de Dunkerque |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–2026) | Eric Gens[1] |
Area 1 | 38.49 km2 (14.86 sq mi) |
Population (2021)[2] | 7,023 |
• Density | 180/km2 (470/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
INSEE/Postal code | /59630 |
Elevation | 0–10 m (0–33 ft) (avg. 3 m or 9.8 ft) |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. |
Bourbourg (French pronunciation:
Population
In 1945 Bourbourg absorbed the former commune Bourbourg-Campagne.[4] The population data given in the table and graph below for 1936 and earlier refer to Bourbourg proper, without Bourbourg-Campagne.
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Source: EHESS[4] and INSEE (1968-2017)[5] |
Heraldry
The arms of Bourbourg are blazoned: Azure, 3 triple barrulets, and on a chief Or, a lion sable. (Chief of Flanders)
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History
In the second half of the 3rd century AD, the
The first mention of Bourbourg is in 1035, but the settlement is probably older, possibly even from the end of the 9th century. The oldest part of the city is located immediately southwest of the parochial St. John's Church, and the town was probably part of Flemish defensive line against the Normans.
From then to the 17th century, the city underwent a period of economic and cultural prosperity, and in 1458, the city was granted authorisation to hold weekly and annual
Historical sites
There are a large number of historic sites to see, such as the former jail. Originally built in 1539 under Spanish rule, the three-storey 18th-century prison building in the main square includes several dungeons and strongrooms. Above the entrance door is a sundial with the motto Qua hora non-putatis, part of a verse from the Bible, Luke 12:40, Et vos estote parati quia qua hora non-putatis Filius hominis venit ("Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not the Son of man will come.").
Other interesting old buildings include the Gothic church (Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste), parts of which date from the thirteenth century, and whose choir shelters a huge installation by Anthony Caro called "The Chapel of Light"; the old Fishmarket (halle au poisson) which dates from 1587 and has twice-weekly fresh fish markets; and a 16th-century fortified farmhouse, the Manoir du Withof.
Places of interest
The town is crossed by the canal that goes from Dunkirk to the river Aa. You can walk along the canal which skirts the old town walls built by Spanish king Philip II as part of his border defences for Flanders. There are also footpaths and cycle routes out into the attractive flat countryside typical of the coastal area between Calais and Dunkerque.
A new boat-stop quay provides facilities for leisure boaters touring the region's canals and waterways to stop here. The 18th-century canal was once important for carrying agricultural produce to Dunkirk, avoiding the hazards of the North Sea coast.
The town's market day is Tuesday morning; fish markets are on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and there is a Christmas market in the Fishmarket.
Residents
- Mesoamericanhistory
Gallery
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Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church.
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SNCF train station.
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Mairie (town hall).
See also
References
- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
- ^ INSEE commune file
- ^ a b Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Bourbourg, EHESS (in French).
- ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE