Boulogne



Boulogne sur mer is a city in France (Boulogne-sur-Mer is Bonen in Dutch) is one of the main cities of the Region Nord-Pas-de-Calais. It is located on the Channel. The population of the city was 44,859 in the 1999 census, whereas that of the whole metropolitan area was 135,116 people. The name Boulogne was first recorded during the Roman Empire as Bononia, a derivative of the Celtic word bona (meaning "foundation", "settlement", "citadel"). This derivation is also found in the name of the Italian city of Bologna.

Nowadays, there are about 50 Couchsurfers in this nice city of the Opale Coast. This page show you what to do around, some tips and the CS activity here.

HISTORY OF BOULOGNE
Originally named Gesoriacum and probably also to be identified with Portus Itius, by the 4th century Boulogne was known to the Roman Empire as Bononia and served as the major port connecting the rest of the empire to Roman Britain. The emperor Claudius used this town as his base for the Roman conquest of Britain, in AD 43, and until 296 it was the base of the Classis Britannica.

In the Middle Ages it was the centre of a Count of Boulogne. The area was fought over by the French and the English people. In 1550, The Peace of Boulogne ended the war of England with Scotland and France. France bought back Boulogne for 400,000 crowns.

In the 19th century the Notre-Dame de Boulogne was reconstructed by the priest Benoit Haffreingue after he received a call from God to reconstruct the town's ruined basilica. During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon amassed La Grande Armée in Boulogne to invade the United Kingdom in 1805. However, his plans were halted by other European matters and the supremacy of the Royal Navy.

Nowadays, Boulogne-sur-Mer is the most important fishing port in France. 7,000 inhabitants derive part or all of their livelihoods from fishing.

More information about the History of Boulogne on the Boulogne Sur Mer !

WHAT TO VISIT ?
Here is the list of some places to visit in Boulogne:

More information about the places to visit in Boulogne on the Boulogne Sur Mer or check the Official Website of the Office of Tourism.

Free Internet/Wifi Access
Here is a list of some places in Boulogne and the area where the internet access is free:


 * Maison de l'Emploi et de la Formation du Boulonnais - Adress: 4 allée Boieldieu - Boulogne 
 * CYBER-BASE AMBLETEUSE - Adress: 27 Rue Nationale - Ambleteuse
 * Centre socio-culturel Audrey Bartier - Adress: 42 rue du Baston - Wimereux

Nice Places to Eat
Here is a list of some nice places to eat in Boulogne:


 * Chez Pierrot - Quai des Paquebots - Boulogne

How to get to Boulogne ?
You can find a driver or passenger to share the ride and cut on travel cost. In France carpooling is very popular and is called "covoiturage".
 * By Carpooling

Try Envoiture.fr to get to Boulogne sur mer.

COUCHSURFERS


There are about 50 couchsurfers who live in Boulogne and the area. Feel free to contact them if you need some helps. You can also join the CS Group of Boulogne.

Meetings
There is sometimes some meetings organised in Boulogne and/or on the Opale Coast. Check the CS Calendar of the area to see what happen in the Region Nord-Pas-de-Calais if you want to join a CS event !

Coffee or a Drink
Here is a list of local Couchsurfers who could be ready to have a drink with you and show you the city:

Céline, Gonzague, Christine

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY</FONT>


Tel: 03 21 31 42 58
 * Bay Watch:

Tel : 03 21 99 48 48
 * Police Station:

SMUR - tél : 15 Pharmacie de service : Servigardes - tel: 0 825 74 20 30 (during the nights, call the Police Station)
 * Health Urgency:

Hôpital Duchenne - Allée Jacques Monod - tel: 0321993333 Clinique Côte d'Opale - Route de Desvres - tel: 0321991111
 * Hospital:

Tel: 18 or 0321911659
 * Fireman Station:

Consulat of Denmark ''Angle rue Montebello/Charcot - 62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer Tel : 03.21.83.33.56 - Fax : 03.21.83.15.49'' Consulat of Greece ''c/o SAGA TERMINAUX PORTUAIRES, quai de l'Europe - B.P.177 - 62203 Boulogne-sur-Mer Tel : 03.21.99.01.10 - Fax : 03.21.30.65.31'' Consulat of Great Britain ''c/o Cabinet Barron "La Clarté" - 62200 Saint-Martin-Boulogne Tel : 03.22.72.08.48 - Fax : 03.22.82.23.01''
 * Embassy:

Urgences Médecins 24h/24 - tel : 03 21 71 22 44 or 03 21 71 33 33
 * Emergency Doctor:

LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS</FONT>
Boulogne

IMPORTANT LINKS</FONT>
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 * Boulogne on Wikivoyage
 * Boulogne on Hitchwiki
 * Boulogne on Wikipedia