Situated on the Opal Coast near the Belgian border, the pleasant seaside resort of Bray-Dunes offers a long and beautiful fine sand beach that is perfect for both relaxing and sports like sand yachting and speed sailing.
Northern Commune, Bray-Dunes is the northernmost resort of France. Bordered by dunes, which gave him his name, and the North Sea, the city border of Belgium and is located about fifteen kilometers from the city of Dunkirk.
Founded in the late nineteenth century by a Dunkirk shipowner Alphonse Bray, who gave his name to the city, this ancient hamlet today still enjoys a magnificent natural heritage, especially because of its coastline and its marine heritage, rest of the families who embarked once for Iceland.
Highlighted by Hugo Pratt in one of his adventures of Corto Maltese, or by Alain Souchon in his song The Kiss, Bray-Dunes still today attracts many tourists eager to discover its charms.
If Bray-Dunes is a small town, it nevertheless does not lack wealth, whether natural, architectural or cultural.
It is the land of welcome, with Zuydcoote, the famous nature reserve Dune Marchand. Classified in 1974, protects one of the dunes of Flanders, while the highlighting. One can appreciate it more than 300 species of plants, such as orchids or Alder and many species of animals, reptiles to birds. The reserve is also a breeding place of the famous calf underwater seal. It is possible to make beautiful walks through the trails. Nearby, the Dune du Perroquet has a wild dune massif of 250 hectares protected.
Symbol of the maritime history of Bray-Dunes, the plight of marine surprised by the size of his cross, which is eleven meters high. It overlooks the sea, and reminds passers memory the heavy price paid by seafarers and their families to the sea. Various hiking trails, whose circuits are sold at the Tourist Office, will lead.
Walking through the streets of Bray-Dunes, the architecture of the early nineteenth century strikes the eye. The villas located on the dunes by the sea recall the flourishing age of the resort where the industry came to afford a second home.
Bray-Dunes was marked by the Second World War, including Operation Dynamo between May and June 1940. A reading table, situated opposite the wrecks of the Crested Eagle and Devonia, commemorates the events. At low tide, the British boats with wheels are revealed.
The old station Bray-Dunes, now disused, still worth a visit. It was once used to bring tourists on the coast.
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Very attached to the culture, the city of Bray-Dunes offers a great cultural season throughout the year. Regularly, concerts, shows, plays or tales readings are organized for young and old.
The municipal library often organizes fun and interesting exhibitions. In September, the city opened a portion of its monuments to the public with the European Heritage Days.
From late September to early October it is possible to have fun at the fair with rides, an opportunity to spend some time in a charming carnival.
Sport is no exception to Bray-Dunes with the organization of 6h rosalies on the beach in September and the championship coastal archers in the same period.
Regularly, guided tours nature of the different dunes of the city are offered by the Tourist Office Bray-Dunes.
