Bergues

Bergues (Sint-Winoksbergen)
Commune
A street and the belfry of Bergues
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Bergues
Bergues Bergues
Coordinates:50°58′09″N2°26′06″E
Country	France
Region	Hauts-de-France
Department	Nord
Arrondissement	Dunkerque
Canton	Coudekerque-Branche
Intercommunality	CC Hauts de Flandre
Government
• Mayor(2020–2026)	Paul-Loup Tronquoy
Area 1	1.32 km2(0.51 sq mi)
Population (2021)	3,561
• Density	2,700/km2(7,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00(CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	59067/59380
Elevation	1–22 m (3.3–72.2 ft)
Website	Official website
1French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2(0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Bergues(French pronunciation:[bɛʁɡ];Dutch:Sint-Winoksbergen;West Flemish:Bergn) is acommunein theNorddepartmentin northernFrance.

It is situated 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the south ofDunkirkand 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from theBelgianborder. Locally it is referred to as "the otherBrugesinFlanders".Bergues is a setting for the 2008 movieWelcome to the Sticks(Original French title:Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis).

History

Plan-reliefof the citadel of Bergues

The town's name derives from the Dutchgroene berg,which means "green hill". According to legend, SaintWinnoc,son of the Breton king, retired to Groenberg, a hill on the edge of the coastal marshes. His establishment soon developed into a small monastery.

In 882, when theNormansbegan their incursions, the Flanders countBaudouin IIbuilt primitive fortifications. Later, in about 1022, CountBaudouin IVbuilt Saint Winnoc Church and interred the relics of St Winnoc there. The church formed the basis of anabbey.

Trade was aided by proximity to the sea, which had not yet receded to Dunkirk, and the abbey. Bergues was chartered in 1240, and its independence was later expressed in the construction of abelfry.It became a port and textile center of regional importance, and part of theHanseatic League.Its wool market began in 1276 and over the following centuries it was fortified and maintained its independence from France. In 1583, Bergues was besieged and conquered byAlexander Farnese,but kingPhilip II of Spainallowed it to be rebuilt, establishing the present appearance of the town. Bergues became a major port city and eventually was attached to France by theTreaty of Aix-la-Chapellein 1668.Louis XIVlater developed Dunkirk, and Bergues was eclipsed as a major port. After theFrench Revolution,its decline continued.

Bergues was devastated by bombardment inWorld War I,and again in 1940 during theBattle of Dunkirk.The city was entered on 2 June that year, and 80% of it was ruined duringWorld War II.

Near industrialized Dunkirk, its many monuments are reminders of a rich past, and tourism has been developed in recent years.

Bergues was the setting for the 2008 French filmBienvenue chez les Ch'tis.The film, which broke French box office records, is credited with triggering a tourism boom in Bergues.

Possible Roman influence

There is a possibility of Bergues being the Roman Port of 'Marcae' mentioned in theLitus Saxonicumas there appears to be research in the UK that the high sea levels were about 4.5 metres higher in late Roman times than that of today. Bergues appears to be on the Roman Road from Castellum Menapiorum(modern Cassel) a major hill fort, the road appears to stop at about Bergues, which would be on the coast at the time.

Bergues is about halfway between Oudenberg and Boulogne (both Saxon Shore forts) and appears to be land if the sea level is raised 4.5 metres in which case would mean Bergues would have a well protected harbour inland from the town.

Population

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1793 6,108 — 1821 5,528 −0.36% 1846 5,967 +0.31% 1872 5,774 −0.13% 1901 5,227 −0.34% 1926 3,878 −1.19% 1946 3,237 −0.90% 1962 4,469 +2.04%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1968 4,545 +0.28% 1975 4,485 −0.19% 1982 4,488 +0.01% 1990 4,163 −0.94% 1999 4,209 +0.12% 2007 3,923 −0.88% 2012 3,910 −0.07% 2017 3,653 −1.35%
Source: EHESSand INSEE (1968-2017)

Heraldry

Arms of Bergues

The arms of Bergues areblazoned: Argent, a lion contourny sable langued gulesimpaled withArgent, a fess sable, and on a canton Or, a lion sable within a bordure gules.

Sights

• The belfry is the city's most celebrated attraction. Originally constructed in the 13th century, it was rebuilt after the French invasion in 1383 and again in the 16th century, and restored during the 19th century. Damaged by fire in 1940 and destroyed by dynamiting in 1944, it was again rebuilt in 1961. It was classified as a historic building in 2004 and, as one of theBelfries of Belgium and France,a UNESCOWorld Heritage Siteon 16 July 2005.Acarillonof 50 bells sounds for the Monday market and other festivities.
• The ramparts, 5,300 metres (17,400 ft) long, are partly medieval and partly constructed byVauban.
• TheAbbey of Saint Winnocwas destroyed in 1789, and only parts remain: the marble gate and two towers.

Gallery

• 
  The belfry has a carillon of 50 bells.
• 
  The Gate of Cassel, on a triangular pediment, incorporating the radiating sun ofLouis XIV.
• 
  The church of St Martin.
• 
  The Marble Gate, main gate of the formerAbbey of Saint Winnoc.
• 
  TheTour Pointueof the abbey.
• 
  TheTour Pointueand theTour Carréeof the abbey.
• 
  The ramparts, 5300 meters long, have surrounded almost the entire town for five centuries.
• 
  Oldmount of piety,now municipal museum in Bergues
• 
  Canal in Bergues
• 
  The Town Hall (mairie) in Bergues

International relations

Location of Bergues in thearrondissement of Dunkirk

Twin towns

• Erndtebrück,Germany,since 1973

Popular culture

The movieBienvenue chez les Ch'tis(byDany Boon) is set in Bergues.

See also

• Communes of the Nord department

External links

• Official website
• Webpage about the fortificationsArchived2 April 2009 at theWayback Machine