Bergues?s fortified enclosure has been preserved almost in its entirety. It is also fortunate to bear witness to many different periods of construction.
The north curtain wall and the Guy de Dampierre tower (1286) date from the time of the Counts of Flanders.
The Dukes of Burgundy left us the Nekerstor, the Porte de Bierne, and the curtain wall running along Rue Pierre DECROO (1418).
The Spanish period saw the emergence of a new type of underground bastioned fortification. This was the western front between the Porte de Cassel and the Porte de Bierne (1585).
Finally, Sébastien LE PRESTRE DE VAUBAN completed the ensemble. In particular, he created the crown of Saint-Winoc (1672-1692), a work that was continued by his successors: the crown of Bierne, in 1720, and the crown of Hondschoote, in 1741.
To get to Bergues, enter through a fortified gate or, at worst, through a breach in the ramparts... whichever way you choose, you won't be disappointed!
Bergues still boasts 5 gates:Bierne Gate: its layout resembles a small castle flanked by two powerful towers at the front, framing the drawbridge.Cassel Gate: in classical style, this contrasts with the Bierne and Dunkirk gates. The Dunkirk Gate: Flanked by two large towers, it appears to be a contemporary of its neighbor, the Bierne Gate. Hondschoote Gate: All that remains of the Hondschoote Gate, which resembled the Cassel Gate, is a gap in the wall. Like all the other gates, it was equipped with a drawbridge.La porte aux Boules
But also several towers:La tour des Couleuvriniers: located near the Porte de Cassel, this tower owes its name to the introduction of the couleuvrine, a slender artillery piece as long as a snake.La Nekestor: both a water gate and a flanking tower, it is the most important tower in the town?s medieval fortifications.La tour Guy de Dampierre (the oldest tower in the Bergues ramparts): it consists of two rooms vaulted into a cul-de-four. La Tour des Faux Monnayeurs (The Counterfeiters' Tower)
You can visit the Remparts de Bergues with the help of a map available from the Office de Tourisme des Hauts de Flandre in Bergues, or take one of the guided tours offered by the Office de Tourisme.
The north curtain wall and the Guy de Dampierre tower (1286) date from the time of the Counts of Flanders.
The Dukes of Burgundy left us the Nekerstor, the Porte de Bierne, and the curtain wall running along Rue Pierre DECROO (1418).
The Spanish period saw the emergence of a new type of underground bastioned fortification. This was the western front between the Porte de Cassel and the Porte de Bierne (1585).
Finally, Sébastien LE PRESTRE DE VAUBAN completed the ensemble. In particular, he created the crown of Saint-Winoc (1672-1692), a work that was continued by his successors: the crown of Bierne, in 1720, and the crown of Hondschoote, in 1741.
To get to Bergues, enter through a fortified gate or, at worst, through a breach in the ramparts... whichever way you choose, you won't be disappointed!
Bergues still boasts 5 gates:Bierne Gate: its layout resembles a small castle flanked by two powerful towers at the front, framing the drawbridge.Cassel Gate: in classical style, this contrasts with the Bierne and Dunkirk gates. The Dunkirk Gate: Flanked by two large towers, it appears to be a contemporary of its neighbor, the Bierne Gate. Hondschoote Gate: All that remains of the Hondschoote Gate, which resembled the Cassel Gate, is a gap in the wall. Like all the other gates, it was equipped with a drawbridge.La porte aux Boules
But also several towers:La tour des Couleuvriniers: located near the Porte de Cassel, this tower owes its name to the introduction of the couleuvrine, a slender artillery piece as long as a snake.La Nekestor: both a water gate and a flanking tower, it is the most important tower in the town?s medieval fortifications.La tour Guy de Dampierre (the oldest tower in the Bergues ramparts): it consists of two rooms vaulted into a cul-de-four. La Tour des Faux Monnayeurs (The Counterfeiters' Tower)
You can visit the Remparts de Bergues with the help of a map available from the Office de Tourisme des Hauts de Flandre in Bergues, or take one of the guided tours offered by the Office de Tourisme.
