Dunkerque

Dunkerque, in French Dunkerque, is a port city and commune in the Nord department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is situated on the North Sea coast at the mouth of the Lys river, facing the English Channel near the Belgian border. The Port of Dunkerque is one of France’s major fishing ports and a significant industrial and logistical hub, with activities in shipping, shipbuilding, and petrochemicals.

The area has a long urban history dating from the Middle Ages, when it developed as a fortified trading town. Its position made it a focal point in European conflicts and exchanges. In May and June 1940, Dunkerque became the site of the Dunkirk evacuation, Operation Dynamo, in which hundreds of thousands of Allied troops were evacuated by sea under German bombardment. The town suffered heavy damage during the war and was rebuilt in subsequent decades.

Today Dunkerque combines maritime activity with cultural life. The city hosts museums, theatres, and festivals, and serves as a base for fishing fleets and industrial activity linked to the port. It is connected by road and rail to other French towns and to international destinations through its port and ferry links. Notable landmarks include the belfry and town hall, the Place Jean Bart, and the historic harbor promenades. Dunkerque also serves as a gateway to the Hauts-de-France coast and to cross-border exchanges with neighboring Belgium and beyond.