Boulogne France – Two B at Sea

Cap Gris Nez with the lighthouse named GROSS Gris Nez

We left Dunkirk on 14 Oct at 0500 am to ensure we had the tide in our favour when passing Cape Gris Nez, the French side of the Strait of Dover were the English Channel is at its narrowest. We arrived in Boulogne Sur Mer around 11.30 am in what was a motor-sail against 10 KTS Westerly wind, but with a strong 3 KTS current pushing us through the gap. Near Calais we received a coastguard call to “all ships” that a small boat with an unidentified number of people on board was spotted and to report any sightings immediately. About 10 min later a helicopter flew by.

The entrance of the port as seen from the outer harbour. Left the dome of the Notre Dame within the walled city.

The marina in Port a Maree is in the town centre and docking was a bit challenging due to the outgoing current of the river Liane. Motoring in reverse against the current kept the boat well under control.

7.5 meter tides and currents to match in the almost empty marina. The ramp to the Capitainerie was a steep slippery climb at low tide.

Sluicing of the river Liane after heavy rain.

The locks to the inner basin are less than 200 meter upstream of our berth and the above foto gives an impression of the current rushing through the marina after heavy rains. Note the wooden beams on the right. You can tie-up against the harbour wall at high tide and scrape te bottom at low tide.

The main attraction is without doubt the fortified walled city. Ancient Boulogne was the major Roman port for trade with Britain. The entire 13th century wall and the Chateau have remarkably well survived the many Anglo – Franco wars as well as WW 1 and 2.

Hotel de Ville with the 12th century Beffroi in the background.

We visited the exhibition at the lovely Ephemere Garden, cleverly themed around superstition, at Place Godefroy de Bouillon. Fun to visit with many surrounding outlets for a drink or a bite.

The wide city walls with a well maintained trail giving excellent views of the old city and surroundings.

The Notre Dame De L’immaculee Conception with to the right the Chateau housing a Museum.

The Marina looking NW with Two B berthed to the left and the fishing boats to the Right.

Boulogne is the #1 fishing town in France and the evidence is everywhere. Fishing boats coming and going opposite the marina, the well stocked stalls along the quay and a large food processing industrial zone SW of the town.

Despite the thriving fishing industrie we could not suppress the feeling that Boulogne had seen better times. There were many empty retail shops either up for rent or for sale.

And guess what? Our Filipino friends from Abu Dhabi were on a European tour. They hopped on a train from Paris to visit us on the boat.

Left to Right; Alvin – Jojo – Arvin – Evelyn – Susan – Frits – Liza.

Thanks guys. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.