Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer (French: [bulɔɲ syʁ mɛʁ] ⓘ; Picard: Boulonne-su-Mér; Dutch: Bonen; Latin: Gesoriacum or Bononia), often called just Boulogne (UK: /bʊˈlɔɪn/, US: /buːˈloʊn, buːˈlɔɪn/), is a coastal city in Northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department of Pas-de-Calais. Boulogne lies on the Côte d'Opale, a touristic stretch of French coast on the English Channel between Calais and Normandy, and the most visited location in the region after the Lille conurbation. Boulogne is its department's second-largest city after Calais, and the 183rd-largest in France. It is also the country's largest fishing port, specialising in herring.
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulonne-su-Mér (Picard) Bonen (West Flemish) | |
|---|---|
Subprefecture and commune | |
A general view from the Brecquerecque Quarter: The modern lighthouse, the medieval bell tower and the English Channel | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Boulogne-sur-Mer | |
Boulogne-sur-Mer Boulogne-sur-Mer | |
| Coordinates: 50°43′35″N 1°36′53″E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Hauts-de-France |
| Department | Pas-de-Calais |
| Arrondissement | Boulogne-sur-Mer |
| Canton | Boulogne-sur-Mer-1 and 2 |
| Intercommunality | CA du Boulonnais |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Frédéric Cuvillier (PS) |
| Area 1 | 8.42 km2 (3.25 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 62.8 km2 (24.2 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 667 km2 (258 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | 40,910 |
| • Density | 4,900/km2 (13,000/sq mi) |
| • Urban (2018) | 84,676 |
| • Urban density | 1,300/km2 (3,500/sq mi) |
| • Metro (2018) | 160,130 |
| • Metro density | 240/km2 (620/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Boulonnaise |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 62160 /62200 |
| Elevation | 0–110 m (0–361 ft) |
| Website | http://www.ville-boulogne-sur-mer.fr/ |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Boulogne is an ancient town and was the main Roman port for trade and communication with its Province of Britain. After a period of Germanic presence following the collapse of the Empire, Boulogne was integrated into the County of Boulogne of the Kingdom of France during the Middle Ages. It was occupied by the Kingdom of England numerous times due to conflict between the two nations. In 1805 it was a staging area for Napoleon's troops for several months during his planned invasion of the United Kingdom.
The city's 12th-century belfry is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (along with other belfries of Belgium and France), while another popular attraction is the marine conservation centre Nausicaa.