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Monument

City Hall

Dunkerque, Opal Coast

About this place

Dunkirk built its first City Hall in 1233 on the Place d’Armes, which later became the Place Charles-Valentin; a second one was built in 1564 but burned down in 1642; the third was rebuilt in 1644 and did not disappear until the end of the last century. The current building was designed by the Lille-based architect Louis Cordonnier with the aim of expanding the existing City Hall. Completed in 1901, it was solemnly inaugurated in the presence of Tsar Nicholas II and his wife.

Destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt after the liberation in the same Flemish Renaissance style. It is constructed primarily of red brick and stone. Measuring 56 meters high and 27 meters wide, its belfry rises to a height of 75 meters. Six statues of figures who have left their mark on the city’s history adorn the façade.

Its entrance is dominated by the majestic equestrian statue of Louis XIV, the work of the Lille-based sculptor Edgard Boutry, commemorating the fact that the city of Dunkirk became part of France thanks to the Sun King in 1662.

Inside, a magnificent stained-glass window, created by the Parisian glass painter Félix Gaudin in 1898, depicts the return of Jean Bart after the Battle of Texel (1664), a victory that enabled him to recapture from the Dutch a flotilla of ships loaded with wheat purchased by France, thereby saving the country from famine.

Dunkirk City Hall is not only known for its rich history. In fact, during the famous carnival, the mayor—assisted by a few fellow citizens—throws smoked herring from the balconies onto the cheering crowd every year.

What to do nearby?

Upcoming events in Dunkerque.

Culture 1 August → 30 September

Traditional Shipbuilding on the Opal Coast

Dunkerque

Traditional shipbuilding from the Opal Coast awaits you in Dunkirk on August 1, 2026. This exhibition immerses you in the world of traditional boatbuilding along our coastline, particularly the flobart and the dundee. You’ll discover the different stages of building a boat, from design to launch. The exhibition offers you the opportunity to explore the skills and techniques used by boatbuilders on the Opal Coast. This will give you a deeper understanding of our region’s history and culture. This cultural event is a unique experience not to be missed by enthusiasts of maritime history and local heritage.
Culture 1 August → 30 September

Shipyards: A Photographic Archive of Dunkirk's Industrial History

Dunkerque

Shipyards are an important part of the past and present of the Port of Dunkirk. The exhibition “Shipyards: Photographic Archives of Dunkirk’s Industrial History” brings together photographs from the museum’s collections and highlights several major shipyards: Ziegler, Ateliers et Chantiers de France, and Béliard & Crighton. The exhibition continues with contemporary photographs taken during the restoration of the three-masted ship Duchesse Anne at the Damen shipyard.
category.Découverte 6 August

Walking Tour of the Port

Dunkerque

Walking Tour of the Port On August 6, 2026, explore the port of Dunkirk on foot with this 2.5-hour guided tour. The 6.3-kilometer route takes you through the East Port, offering impressive views of port activity. You’ll pass close by the Trystram and Watier locks, walk alongside the Risban Lighthouse, and pass in front of the Damen floating dock. This walking tour will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the Port of Dunkirk. Admission fee applies; reservations required.

Other places to discover

Monument

Former Municipal Prison

Bourbourg

This building was designated a prison in 1550. Its facade, roof, and dungeons are listed as Historic Monuments. The building has served as a prison since the 16th century. Rebuilt in the 18th century, it still contains the jailer’s quarters, as well as the prisoners’ cells and dungeons. A unique and authentic place that immerses you in the prison world of days gone by.
Monument

Les Fontinettes Boat Elevator

Arques

Located in the town of Arques, this boat lift is the only one of its kind in France. Built between 1881 and 1887, it was designed to replace a series of five locks on the Neufossé Canal, as it was impossible for boats to navigate the 13.13-meter elevation difference between the Aa and the Lys rivers.Designed by engineers Bertin and Edwin Clark, the hydraulically operated lift consisted of two water chambers that balanced each other out, allowing barges to be raised and lowered. The last boat passed through the lift in 1967. Designated a Historic Monument in 2014, the site was saved from demolition twelve years after it ceased operations, thanks to an association from Arques. Now open to the public, the museum features three rooms—an exhibition hall, the blacksmith’s shop and video room, and the repair workshop—that are sure to delight visitors.
Monument

Bergues Belfry

Bergues

This is the third belfry built on this site. It was rebuilt in 1961 after being destroyed by fire (May 30, 1940) and then by dynamite (September 16, 1944) by the Germans. It largely follows the design of the previous belfry. As you climb the 206 steps, you can visit four themed exhibition halls. At a height of 47 meters, it features a magnificent open belfry housing the carillon’s 50 bells. At its summit stands Nicolas, the lion from the city’s coat of arms, serving as the weather vane. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 15, 2005, and featured in the 2008 film “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis,” the Belfry now houses the Tourist Office, the Espace Beffroi, and vacation rentals. It is open to visitors in small groups of up to 19 people at a time, by scheduled time slot. For those who do not wish to climb the 206 steps, a virtual tour is available. Exceptional closures on the morning of December 2 and the afternoon of December 5.
Monument

Dunkerque Belfry

Dunkerque

Built of a combination of red brick and stone, the belfry stands 75 meters tall. Above the central balcony stands an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, who repurchased the city from the English in 1662. A large stained-glass window depicting Jean Bart’s triumphant return after his victory at the Battle of Texel in 1694 illuminates the belfry. One elevator ride and 65 steps up, you can admire the carillon.
Monument

Gravelines Belfry

Gravelines

Fully integrated into City Hall, the belfry is visible only from the outside. It once housed the city’s dungeons, which have fortunately been replaced today by the municipal museum. The building, which stands 70 meters tall, rests on a very simple square tower. At the platform level, the first scrollwork decorations appear, and the fourth floor is adorned on each side with a mullioned window decorated with friezes. An octagonal lantern crowns the top and houses a two-metric-ton bell named Danièle, Marie, Pauline, Henriette—the first name of the donor’s mother, who funded the belfry’s reconstruction at the end of the 19th century.
Monument

Temple Tax

Saint-Aubin

This blue stone farmhouse is believed to date from the late 12th century, based on the masonry of its walls, which is similar to that of the church in Dimont and the tower in Saint-Waast-la-Vallée.

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