Belfry Boulogne-sur-mer

The belfry of Boulogne-sur-Mer is 37 meters high and has dominated the city since the 12th century! It is one of the oldest monuments of Boulogne-sur-Mer. On the Place Godefroy de Bouillon, the belfry seems to watch over the inhabitants like a wise old man...

Built in the 12th century, it has seen the best and worst times, but it has remained standing! Its unique history is linked to a key figure in the history of the city: Philippe Hurepel, Count of Boulogne and son of the King of France. Before it became a belfry, this imposing tower, which now dominates the town hall, was the castle's keep! In 1226, Philippe Hurepel decided to move his castle to the most vulnerable corner of the old town. He sold his old castle to the citizens of the city, who transformed the keep into a belfry.

The belfry of Boulogne-sur-Mer, symbol of communal freedoms, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with 22 other belfries in the Hauts-de-France region. This alone reveals more than eight centuries of history! In the Middle Ages, it housed the courtroom, the dungeons for the city's prisoners, a chapel, the jailer's quarters, the guard's hut and the bell that sounded the alarm in case of fire...

Inside, visitors can take a real journey back in time. On the ground floor, the lapidary museum contains objects from all eras: the well of the disappeared Cordeliers monastery, stone cannonballs, a stained glass window from 1900 depicting Godefroy de Bouillon... The first two levels (the armoury on the ground floor and the courtroom on the first floor) certainly belong to the original keep. The staircase is located in the small turret with a cornice and leads to the upper floors and the parapet which offers a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings . The top floor dates from the 18th century. A unique ensemble Opposite the monument, the ensemble with the town hall, which was added much later in the 18th century, is astonishing. The use of brick and stone is a rare combination in Boulogne-sur-Mer... These two buildings alone embody the different architectural fashions of the past. A fascinating experience!

Willem Vandenameele