The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Bourbourg is a basilica influenced by Romanesque and Gothic art, with three naves, a projecting transept, and a large choir with aisles and side chapels. It is a listed historic monument: the choir was classified in 1920, while the rest of the church was registered in 2023.
Renting a holiday apartment in Bourbourg can be planned as a separate step in organising a trip to this destination.
Culture and history
The church interior houses the Chœur de lumière, a monumental ensemble of fifteen sculptures by Sir Anthony Caro. Since 2008, the church has also had a carillon with 50 bells, which can be played automatically or by the carillonneur.
The historic buildings include the Ancienne prison. The façades and roofs of the prison buildings were entered in the register of historic monuments by decree dated 22 November 1972.
Art and events
Since May 2013, the CIAC has been located in eight medieval arches in Bourbourg. It hosts changing exhibitions, meetings, readings, conferences, and workshops on artistic practice throughout the year.
Bourbourg's traditional Christmas market offers local gastronomic products as well as handcrafted goods.
Landscape and surroundings
The Withof in Bourbourg is a former 16th-century farm. It is surrounded by ditches supplied by the Wateringues drainage network. At the same time, it is considered one of the last medieval sites in Maritime Flanders, as well as the last surviving remains of the residence of the castellans and viscounts of Bourbourg.
The Plage de Petit-Fort-Philippe is located near Bourbourg. The Artothèque de Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, a museum, is also nearby. The Abbaye de Ravensberg, a historic site, is also located in the vicinity of Bourbourg. The Tour de l'Abbaye de Watten is a historic building in the surrounding area of Bourbourg.
In the wider region around Bourbourg are Fort Vallières, a fortress, Île Jeanty, an island, and Mont des Récollets, a hill.
Getting there
From Lille, travel via the A25 towards Dunkerque, then take the A16 towards Calais to the Bourbourg exit. There is also a regular TER service between Calais and Dunkerque.
