This active fishing port and coastal town in northern France has Europe's largest seafood processing center and a 13th-century fortified old town with well-preserved ramparts.
Boulogne-sur-Mer sits on France's northern coast, where fishermen bring their daily catch to the country's largest fishing port. You can watch sharks swim overhead in Nausicaá's underwater tunnel, walk on 13th-century ramparts, or explore the city's vast underground crypt beneath the Notre-Dame basilica. At the morning fish market, you'll find fresh-caught fish and seafood straight from the Channel, while the medieval upper town's cobblestone streets lead to a castle built on Roman foundations.
Exploring the Medieval Upper Town
The upper town's 13th-century walls stretch 1,500 meters, with four gates and 17 towers. You can walk the entire rampart circuit in about an hour, seeing the lower town and harbor below. Inside the medieval castle, built on Roman foundations, you'll find the Museum of Ancient Egypt, displaying artifacts collected by Auguste Mariette. The Notre-Dame basilica's 101-meter dome rises above the city, with northern France's largest crypt underneath containing medieval frescoes and religious artifacts.
Nausicaá Sea Centre
Nausicaá's main tank holds 10,000 cubic meters of water, making it Europe's largest aquarium. You can walk through an underwater tunnel as sharks swim overhead, touch rays in designated pools, and learn about marine species through interactive displays. The center's focus on ocean conservation includes exhibits about climate change impact on marine life and sustainable fishing practices. Entry costs €25.90 for adults and €19.50 for children (as of 2023).
Food and Markets
Fresh fish arrives at Quai Gambetta's market every morning, where you can buy the day's catch directly from local fishermen. The Place Dalton market runs Wednesday and Saturday mornings, selling regional products and seasonal vegetables. In Capécure, the fish processing district, you can take guided tours (book at the tourist office) to see how the commercial fishing industry operates. Many restaurants around the port serve regional dishes like carbonade flamande and fresh mackerel.
Getting Around and Transportation
The A16 motorway connects Boulogne-sur-Mer to Calais (30 minutes) and Paris (3 hours). Marinéo buses run throughout the city - routes 1 and 2 connect the train station to the upper town. When exploring the medieval district, prepare for steep streets, particularly on Rue de Lille leading to the ramparts. The port area and lower town are flat and walkable.
Events Throughout the Year
Each September, the Herring King Festival fills the port with the smell of grilled fish, while local wine flows freely. Musicians perform throughout the city during the Côte d'Opale Festival in July. In August, the Camp de Boulogne brings the Napoleonic period to life with soldiers in period uniforms demonstrating military drills and camp life from the early 1800s.
