Montreuil-sur-Mer (35 miles from Calais), is overflowing with timeless Gallic attraction and festooned with flowery window packing containers. Its cobbled streets are lined with magnificent monuments and the views from the traditional ramparts are spectacular. The city makes for a terrific day journey from Calais, weekend vacation spot, or in a single day keep when you’re travelling to or from Calais says Janine Marsh who lives close by.
What to see and do in Montreuil-sur-Mer
Montreuil-sur-Mer in Pas-de-Calais, northern France, is actually not on the ocean because the title implies, the tide went out a number of centuries in the past and by no means got here again after the River Canche narrowed. Within the 10th century it turned an vital harbour city that boasted the primary royal port of the ruling household of the Capets, which made it affluent sufficient to have eight church buildings and 4 instances the variety of residents because it does now.
Atop a hill encircled by ramparts, Montreuil-sur-Mer is as we speak an image postcard fairly little city, stuffed with historical buildings – higgledy piggledy homes, elegant mansions and cobblestone squares.
Over the centuries, the city has had its justifiable share of dramatic occasions. They embrace a critical earthquake in 1467, invasion by the armies of Emperor Charles V in 1537 and a failed siege by the military of Henry VIII of England in 1544 (he was extra profitable down the street in Boulogne-sur-Mer). Napoleon Bonaparte posted 1000’s of troops right here whereas he toyed with the concept of invading England by sending his military throughout the Channel on rafts carried by scorching air balloons. Extra not too long ago the city acted as headquarters for Common Haig throughout World Conflict I, and a statue of him sat astride a horse sits earlier than the city’s Belle Epoque model theatre (a former grain alternate). It was designed by Paul Landowski (whose best-known work is Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro).
Wander Montreuil’s 3km lengthy ramparts constructed by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, Louis XIV’s genius army engineer, when he organised the fortification of northern France through the 17th century. On a sunny day you possibly can see for miles over the gorgeous countryside of the Seven Valleys, and simply spot the monumental Chartreuse de Neuville on the foot of the ramparts, the 700-year-old Charterhouse, based in 1324, is nicely price a detour.
For a small price you possibly can go to the citadel, one of many first bastioned citadels inbuilt France, commissioned by Charles IX in 1567, nicknamed by some “the Carcassonne of the north.” There are historical buildings, a small museum and, the citadel is a refuge for uncommon and endangered species of bats. Within the grounds of the Citadel is “Queen Berthe’s Tower” allegedly the place King Philip I locked his spouse up within the 11th century to drive her to present him a divorce after he fell for one more girl.
The city has lengthy enchanted guests, together with Irish author Laurence Sterne who stayed right here while writing his well-known ebook “A Sentimental Journey” printed in 1768; my dad’s favorite jockey – the late, nice Lester Piggot; and the city’s favorite author – Victor Hugo who based mostly a lot of his ebook Les Misérables on individuals he met and his experiences within the city when visiting along with his mistress in 1837. And when you’re right here in late July/early August, don’t miss the native manufacturing of Les Misérables carried out by some 500 locals (accompanied by horses and cannons) on the ramparts at night time!
In Place Darnetal, a fairly sq. constructed over the positioning of the previous Notre-Dame church, the chocolate boutique, full with chandelier, is difficult to disregard with its handmade sweets tempting you from the home windows. Stroll to the left and also you’ll arrive in Place Gambetta lined with eating places, bars and church buildings, together with the twelfth century Abbey Saint-Saulve. As soon as an immense constructing, a lot of it has been destroyed through the years, however what stays is spectacular with an impressive Flamboyant nave. Shut by is the twelfth century Chapelle Saint-Nicolas de l’hôtel-Dieu, rebuilt within the nineteenth century by Clovis Normand (born in close by Hesdin), a pupil of Viollet le Duc (who restored Notre-Dame de Paris, and Carcassonne).
Browse the boutiques, pop into Boulangerie Gremont (a contender for finest baker in France), for a slice or a number of of one in every of their huge Jean Valjean loaves – a nod to Victor Hugo’s Les Mis hero Jean Valjean, and to Fromagerie Caseus, a vacationer attraction in its personal proper. This cheese store attracts cheese lovers from far and broad with loads of native specialities from pungent Maroilles to chic Sire de Créquy.
The massive central sq., named after Common de Gaulle is lined with bars, eating places and retailers. On a Saturday morning it bursts into life because the weekly market lures customers from everywhere in the space. There are such a lot of bars, eating places and cafés right here that the city calls itself a “Vacation spot Gastronimique.” Take pleasure in Michelin-starred dishes at La Grenouillère restaurant of Alexandre Gauthier, a snack from Le Pot du Clape soup bar on the gorgeous little rue du Clape-en-Bas, steak-frites at Bistronome, flammekueche at Caveau, or just sit at a tea store of which there are a number of, or a terraced café with a glass of no matter you fancy watching the world go by – Le Douglas on the primary sq. may be very in style with locals for the cocktails, stay bands and nice snack meals.
Spend a day in Montreuil-sur-Mer – or longer, this city has all you want for a fabulously indulgent and enjoyable time.
Janine Marsh is the creator of a number of internationally best-selling books about France. Her newest ebook How you can be French – a celebration of the French life-style and artwork de vivre, is out now – a have a look at the French lifestyle. Discover all books on her web site janinemarsh.com
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