Bourbourg walks

Thirty-seventh stage from the Jura to Hauts-de-France, via the Francigena. This flat stage follows the waterways as you explore Maritime Flanders and the network of waterways that criss-cross the landscape. You walk alongside the Canaux de la Haute Colme and the Canal de Bourbourg before reaching the outskirts of Dunkirk. After passing through Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, you discover the city of Dunkirk. France’s third-largest port, here you don’t need to have your sea legs to set off and discover the history of the Iceland fishermen, walk in the footsteps of the famous privateer Jean Bart, or simply stroll around the Place du Mynck, through the marinas or along the Malo-les-Bains seafront.

This is a beautiful walk that highlights all the attractions of a small fortified town crossed by the River Aa, with a beautiful seafront and well-maintained green spaces ideal for walking. You will quickly forget that Gravelines is best known for its nuclear power station.

Stroll along the hedgerows surrounding the orchards, discover the Chinese cemetery and the typical farms built of yellow or red brick or stone, a reminder that we are indeed at the confluence of Flanders and Artois. Then, let yourself be haunted by the ghost of the Aa, which lurks along the waterways…

This trail takes you across the coastal plain, which stretches as far as the eye can see, and allows you to explore, within the dune system, a preserved natural area: the Platier d’Oye National Nature Reserve.

A very long time ago, the sea covered this area at high tide, but the ingenuity of the Benedictine monks inthe 10th century led to the construction of a network of drainage channels: the watergangs. This area, with its light, sandy soil, is ideal for growing chicory. Large buildings made of yellow or red brick were once used to dry chicory roots. The people made the most of this gift from Mother Nature by building mills.

The trails are well-marked. All through the year, they're accessible, and this walk allows you to discover our beautiful northern beaches. Itinerary to be adapted, some areas may be off-limits, see notices .

This trail takes you through a wooded landscape at the edge of the Artois hills, interspersed with canals and watergangs. The varied relief offers a unique panorama, a superb walk with a breathtaking view.

Discover the waterways of the Audomarois, a beautiful area of Hauts-de-France.

South of Audruicq, discover the Brédenarde, a landscape of hedgerows, fruit trees and wooded countryside.Starting from Zutkerque or Polincove, take the ‘Dame aux Loups’ trail, named in honour of the Baronessde Draëck; you can admire her château, the first hills of Artois and follow the winding course of the Hem: the river of mills.

Street Art Trail to discover the main monumental murals that make up the urban art route of Dunkirk, Petite-Synthe district (Sporting Aviron, Mikko Uni, La Bastille, The World is Yours murals, etc.).

This path takes you to one of the four villages of the Pays du Brédenarde, Nortkerque, which can be translated as ‘church of the North’. Geologically, the former Pays du Brédenarde consists of a layer of clay resting on chalk that overlooks the coastal plain. It is a landscape of hedgerows, fruit trees and livestock farming. In the past, the Brédenarde also included the municipalities of Audruicq, Zutkerque and Polincove. (4) Please note: the footbridge no longer exists; access is impossible until further notice (see practical information).

As part of the Parcours du Cœur 2026, the CCAS in Bierne offers an 11 km walking route. The walk starts at the Bierne Multi-Activity Hall. You will take the Route des 7 Planètes and follow the towpath alongside the Colme. Heading towards Bergues, the route will take you to the Foyer Socio Éducatif. Then, walking along the ramparts, you will return to Bierne via the greenway.

As part of the Parcours du Cœur 2026, the CCAS in Bierne offers a 5 km walking route. Starting from the Bierne Multi-Activity Hall, you will take the Route des Sept Planètes and walk alongside the Colme, following the towpath. You will return to the starting point via the Voie Douce.

After Dunkirk, theGR® 120 takes a detour inland. Once out of Dunkirk, the route passes peacefully through the Bois des Forts and reaches the pretty fortified town of Bergues with its canals and medieval ruins. The stage is fairly short, leaving plenty of time to wander around Bergues.

An easy route in the heart of the city of Vauban and Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis.

Immortalised by the film "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis", the small town of Bergues is much more than just a film set. Bergues is a small fortified town: its ramparts, over 5 km long, date back to medieval times or were built according to Vauban's plans. Bergues also stands out for its remarkable monuments, such as its belfry, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, and the remains of Saint-Winoc Abbey.

Bergues, the capital of the North since the film "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis", invites you to discover its unique fortified complex dating from the 13th to the 19th century via an easy heritage walk.

A lovely circular route, culminating in the (private) Château d’Esquelbecq and its gardens; the whole site is open to visitors during the season (€5 in 2020).

This is a route through the heart of the Audomarois marshes along a marked trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

Starting from the path to Paradis, in the shade of the hawthorn hedges, come and discover the large wet pastures, the Booenghem marsh and the nature barn. Then cross the Bachelin marshes and peat bogs before following the magnificent path that runs alongside the River Booneghem through the small marsh. This circular route mainly follows paths.

A lovely walk through woods and hedged farmland to the pretty Chapelle Saint-Louis. It's a signposted trail run by the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

During this route, walkers will pass through the Tournehem National Forest, which covers 988 hectares. They will see old windmills and the Hem valley.This is a signposted trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

Houses, each with its own dock and boat moored on the Lansberg. People fishing practically from their homes. Cottages, each more beautiful than the last. Little market gardeners' boats loaded with crates of vegetables heading off to who knows where.Truly, the passage along the Lansberg will delight you with its beauty.You'll find a tranquil, picturesque feel that's rare in the region.

Thirty-eight and final stage from the Jura to Hauts-de-France, via the Francigena. For this final stage, you leave Dunkirk to cross the Bois des Forts, before arriving at the foot of the Vauban Fortifications. You walk along the ramparts before entering Bergues, a charming and picturesque fortified town, nicknamed the ‘little Bruges of the North’, and now world-famous since the filming of the movie “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis”! It is at the foot of the belfry, topped by the Lion of Flanders, that this journey ends.

Hike starting from Arneke and passing by the Plaine au Bois Memorial. This memorial commemorates the atrocities that took place in May 1940 during Operation Dynamo. This hike includes paths and small roads with little traffic.

Arnèke is a village of 1,600 inhabitants not far from Cassel. You'll discover beautiful views of Cassel and Mont des Récollets, as well as the church of Zegerscappel.

A walk that combines crossing the Clairmarais market garden marsh with the Romelaëre Nature Reserve.Lots of birdwatching: ash herons, coots, storks... And the star attraction of this walk: crossing the canals on the chain ferries, which will appeal to young and old alike!Please note: chain ferries and drawbridges only operate from March 15 to September 5.

This route is divided between marshland, bocage and forest. It crosses Flanders before returning to the Audomarois region. In the first part of this itinerary, walkers will see street names in Flemish. This is a signposted trail of the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

A pleasant route, with the possibility of a pleasant break at the beautiful Quelmes café.