Canal de Bergues
TheCanal de Berguesis one of the oldest canals in Flanders, its course being shown on a map dating from the 9th century, connectingBerguesto the port ofDunkerque,in northernFrance.The town itself, heavily fortified by Vauban in the late 17th century, is the main attraction for boats, which moor in a dramatic location just outside the fortified walls. Commercial traffic ceased in the 1970s. The site acquired worldwide fame in 2008 as the location for the cult filmBienvenue chez les Ch'tis.The localCh'tidialect and out-of-tune belfry chimes contributed to making the town a destination for tourists. The canal formerly connected with the Canal de la Basse-Colme heading west toVeurnevia the Bergenvaart, and the Canal de la Haute-Colme west to the Canal Dunkerque-Escaut at Lynck. Restoration of these canals would greatly increase the tourism potential of Bergues, but there is opposition from the authority managing the local drainage canals. Bergues remains a there-and-back excursion for visiting boats.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Edwards-May, David (2010).Inland Waterways of France.St Ives, Cambs., UK: Imray. pp. 41–42.ISBN978-1-846230-14-1.
External links
[edit]- Dunkerque Canals(Furnes, Bourbourg and Bergues) with maps and expanded details by the author ofInland Waterways of France,Imray
- Navigation details for 80 French rivers and canals(French waterways website section)