THE CITY OF BERGUES

In the Flemish plain, 9 km from the sandy beaches of Malo-les-Bains and 15 km from the Belgian border, Bergues welcomes visitors. Still entirely enclosed by ramparts, whether medieval or the work of the brilliant Vauban, the town nestles at the foot of its belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the hill overlooking the town, which gave it its name, "Groenberg," the towers of a former Benedictine abbey seem to stand guard, while its pawnshop museum displays part of its rich collections in a magnificent setting of warm yellow brick. From its facades and squares to its traditions, Bergues is one of those Flemish towns where time seems to have no hold. As in days gone by, the town's rhythm is set to the chimes of its carillon, which chimes every quarter hour, or when its fifty bells ring for the Monday market. Walking paths wind along the foot and atop the walls.