What to See & Do in Boulogne
Sights Basilique Notre-Dame: Looking upward towards the old town, Notre Dame Cathedral’s shining dome dominates the Boulognese skyline. Rebuilt between 1827 and 1866 on the ruins of the mediaeval cathedral, it serves as a symbol of the revival of the French Catholic Church after the Revolution, during which time the old cathedral was destroyed. It still contains sacred art treasures including the Reliquary of the Holy Blood in gold, silver and enamel – a masterpiece of the fourteenth century. Architecturally it is a hybrid, collectively inspired by St Paul’s Cathedral, St Peter’s in Rome, the Panthéon and Les Invalides in Paris. Ramparts: The 13th century fortifications surround the cobbled streets of the Haute Ville. Built by the Count of Boulogne on the foundations of a Gallo-Roman wall, its seventeen turrets and four gates have hardly changed since ancient times. The fortifications and the castle are the best preserved from that period in Northern France. Hôtel de Ville: The Town Hall, located in the heart of the Upper Town, has been altered six times since it was built in 1735, and is the only monument in the Old Town built from brick and stone. Sculpted beneath the roof are the arms of the town: on the left of a swan are three massive heraldic balls. These emblems have been part of Boulogne’s coat of arms since the eleventh century. The Town Hall is also home to oil portrait paintings and the Wedding Room contains wood carvings from Dutch oak. The Belfry: The 12th century belfry is the oldest monument in the Old Town. It was once used as a dungeon and symbolises communal liberty. It is worth visiting if only for the breathtaking views of the port, the town and the sea. Access is from the ground floor of the Town Hall. Château-Museé: The castle was originally built by the Count of Boulogne, and it was the first castle in the history of military architecture to be built without a keep. Part of the moat has been refilled with water and the drawbridge has been restored. You can walk through the vaults and underground passages of this listed building and visit the chapel, baronial hall and the magnificent gothic Salle Barbière (armoury) adjoining the old prison. In the museum antique Grecian vases, Gallo-Roman antiquities, Egyptian sarcophagi, Renaissance coins, and Eskimo masks are on display, with many other items brought back home by the Boulogne sailors. Food & Drink The town’s top restaurant, Tony Estienne’s La Matelote, opposite the Nausicãa marine exposition and close by the beach, is the fashionable place to see and be seen in, but you can eat well and inexpensively anywhere in this town, for example at Les Pecheurs d’Etaples in the Grande-Rue or at L’Estaminet du Château, up the hill and next to the Château-Museé. Transport Bus: T.C.R.B (Transports en Commun Région Boulonnaise) operates the local bus service.BCD (Autobus) operates bus services between towns such as Calais and Dunkirk.Taxi: There are numerous taxis in Boulogne and these can be flagged down in the street or picked up from a taxi rank. Train: Regular train services run from the station in Boulevard Voltaire to local destinations and beyond, including the high-speed TGV services. Back To Boulogne
