How many gates are there to enter the town of Bergues?

Bergues still has 5 gates : The Bierne Gate : its layout resembles a small castle flanked by two powerful towers at the front, framing the drawbridge. The Cassel gateway : in classical style, this contrasts with the Bierne and Dunkirk gateways. The top of its pediment is adorned with a sun, the symbol of Louis XIV. The Porte de Dunkerque : Flanked by two large towers, this gateway appears to be a contemporary of its neighbour, the Porte de Bierne. It was once protected by a drawbridge and a set of rear gates. The Porte d’Hondschoote : all that remains of the Porte d’Hondschoote, which resembled the Porte de Cassel, is a gap in the wall. Like all the other gates, it was equipped with a drawbridge. The Porte aux Boules

Are there any other points of interest?

The ramparts also include several towers: The Tour des Couleuvriniers : located near the Porte de Cassel, this tower owes its name to the introduction of the couleuvrine, a thin artillery piece as long as a snake. The Nekestor : both a water gate and a flanking tower, it is the most important tower in the town’s medieval fortifications. Tour Guy de Dampierre (the oldest of the towers in the Bergues ramparts): this is made up of two vaulted rooms in the shape of a cul-de-sac. It is built of red brick, which is its distinctive feature. The Tower of Counterfeit Money

Can you visit the ramparts?

You can visit the Remparts of Bergues with the help of a map available from Terre de Flandre Tourisme in Bergues (in the Belfry) or take one of our guided tours .

Toren van Couleuvrinier en vestingmuren Bergues — ©Toren van Couleuvrinier en stadswallen van Bergues

Les RempartsStone witnesses to a fortified past

Les Remparts

The ramparts bear witness to Flanders’ rich military past. In Bergues, the fortifications designed by Vauban still encircle the town with majesty. Watten, meanwhile, retains the remains of a medieval wall overlooking the valley, offering a unique panorama of the region.

©Luchtfoto van de Moulin de Watten en de berg van Watten|CCHF

The silent guardians of the city A journey along walls steeped in history

Almost all of Bergues’ fortifications have been preserved. It has preserved numerous witnesses to its various construction periods:

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, in particular, the Nekerstor, the Porte de Bierne and the curtain wall along the rue Pierre DECROO (1418)
The Spanish period saw the emergence of a new type of bastioned, buried fortification. This was the western front between the Cassel gate and the Bierne gate (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 with the crown of Bierne in 1720 and the crown of Hondschoote in 1741.

To get to Bergues, enter through a fortified gateway or, at worst, through a breach in the ramparts… Whichever way you go, you won’t be disappointed!

Wandeling rond de vestingmuren van Bergues — ©Wandeling langs de vestingmuren van Bergues|Virginie WITKOWSKI

Between stones and legends... ... the walls still speak

In Bergues, the ramparts tell the story of 500 years of open-air history!

From the Guy de Dampierre tower to the Vauban bastions, each stone has its own story to tell. Take a stroll along the northern curtain wall or pass beneath the 15th-century Nekerstor.
The Spanish built buried bastions here, and Vauban perfected them. From 1286 to 1741, the fortifications never ceased to evolve and fascinate.

The crown of Saint-Winoc plunges you into the heart of military ingenuity. Here, each fortified gateway is a gateway to the past.

Choose your route… and let Bergues surprise you!

pad langs de stadsmuren van Bergues — ©Wandel langs de wallen |QUENTON Emilie

Stadswallen van Bergues — ©Toren van Couleuvriniers

Wallen Bergues — ©Pad langs de vestingmuren van Bergues|Marc BOUREL

Frequently asked questions

How many gates are there to enter the town of Bergues?
Bergues still has 5 gates:
- The Bierne Gate: its layout resembles a small castle flanked by two powerful towers at the front, framing the drawbridge.
- The Cassel gateway: in classical style, this contrasts with the Bierne and Dunkirk gateways. The top of its pediment is adorned with a sun, the symbol of Louis XIV.
- The Porte de Dunkerque: Flanked by two large towers, this gateway appears to be a contemporary of its neighbour, the Porte de Bierne. It was once protected by a drawbridge and a set of rear gates.
- The Porte d’Hondschoote: all that remains of the Porte d’Hondschoote, which resembled the Porte de Cassel, is a gap in the wall. Like all the other gates, it was equipped with a drawbridge.
- The Porte aux Boules
Are there any other points of interest?
The ramparts also include several towers:
- The Tour des Couleuvriniers : located near the Porte de Cassel, this tower owes its name to the introduction of the couleuvrine, a thin artillery piece as long as a snake.
- The Nekestor: both a water gate and a flanking tower, it is the most important tower in the town’s medieval fortifications.
- Tour Guy de Dampierre (the oldest of the towers in the Bergues ramparts): this is made up of two vaulted rooms in the shape of a cul-de-sac. It is built of red brick, which is its distinctive feature.
- The Tower of Counterfeit Money
Can you visit the ramparts?
You can visit the Remparts of Bergues with the help of a map available from Terre de Flandre Tourisme in Bergues (in the Belfry) or take one of our guided tours.

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