On the northern coast of France, between Calais and the border with Belgium, Dunkerque is a seaport town that has been at the heart of many conflicts over the course of history. With France's third largest port, the city notably played a major role in Allied operations in WWII. It was from the beaches at Dunkerque that over 300,000 French and British troops were evacuated over a nine day period, with the use of 900 boats, including many commandeered, local fishing vessels and pleasure craft.
Wartime memories and historical education are the cornerstones of Dunkerque's contemporary tourist economy. There are a number of sites to see in the area, including relics of both the Nazi occupation and the liberation of the French city.
Visit the Mémorial du Souvenir museum, located near the site of the evacuations, to learn about the Allied campaign that was dubbed Operation Dynamo. Board the paddle steamer, Princess Elizabeth, the pleasure boat that was converted for use as a minesweeper during the war, and was used to evacuate 1673 troops during Operation Dynamo. Also worth seeing, to get a feel for Dunkerque's role in WWII, is the Dunkerque War Museum and la Coupole. Located just outside of Dunkerque in Saint-Omer, La Coupole is a large, underground bunker built by the Nazis, for launching the V2 rockets, which were intended to destroy London. The bunker has now been converted into a History and Remembrance centre.
Other stops on the war memorial trail are the Cenotaph, in the town centre, which honours the dead of WWI, and the British Memorial, which pays homage to the members of 110 units who lost their lives in Dunkerque in WWII. Be sure to make a stop at the Forte des Dunes. Now a war museum and learning centre, this solid gray stronghold was the site of a number of conflicts during WWII, as well as serving its original function to protect the port of Dunkerque in the 19th century.
