9/04 Boulogne sur Mer France

Only 2 1/2 hours from our house, we were able to achieve my goal...find a beach!

BOULOGNE-SUR-MER, the Cote d’Opale...

Boulogne sur Mer, a city with its roots in the ocean

 ,a city known for its art and history.  Just a short distance from the Channel Tunnel in the heart of the Opal Coast landscape is our destination,Boulogne sur Mer!

 The city has 2000 years of history including the imprint left by the Romans, the English, and by Napoleon. Numerous ancient monuments and buildings testify to this heritage: the XII century Belfry, the powerful XIII century city walls, 

These are the city walls, which we strolled around before and after lunch and dinner. You get a great view of the lower,newer city which heads down to the beach.

the Castle Museum. 

Notre Dame Basilica was built between 1827-1866 according to the design of Father Haffreingue on the ruins of the former cathedral which had been wrecked during the revolution. The architect was inspired by the construction of St Paul’s cathedral in London and created a massive dome whose point is 101 meters high. Other features of the Basilicaare echoes  of St Peter’s in Rome, as well as the Pantheon and the Invalides in Paris. The interior contains an altar which is a masterpiece of theTorlonia princes, a supreme example of Italian mosaics dating from the XIXcentury. Unfortunately, the crypt is under renovation, but the church is gorgeous and we lit some candles. 

Altar of Saint Joseph

Description of the incredible altar

 

You will find a warm welcome in the city’s pedestrian central area with attractive shops, including our favourite, All For 2 Euro!

The fishing port, so close to the city centre, is the biggest in France. 

A boat named for our favourite NJ fisherman!

Though our original accommodations fell through, we found an IBIS, a chain here that we love, and got a family room with an unbelievable view, right out to the cathedral!

My guys posed for me after I hollered out the window like an American hillbilly, they were heading to the city walls for a sunset stroll.

We found a great crepe place in the old city and a mom and pop cooked for us. When he went to help out in the kitchen, she kept yelling at him, in French of course, which cracked us up!

Contrary to how it usually appears, I actually do travel with the family, even occasionally making it into a photograph!

Since France is all about food, here is a photo from the fab patisserie we went to for breakfast!

A couple more photos from a great long weekend...