Located on France’s far northern tip, the coastal city of Dunkirk boasts a rich war and maritime history. It is best known for its WW2 legacy: in 1940 it was all but demolished during a battle that culminated in an epic evacuation of Allied troops. Today, it is a lively university town with a thriving marina, an impressive art museum and a harbourside museum that documents the city’s history as a key trading port over the ages. Visitors can also look forward to viewing the Duchesse Anne, a 3-masted sailing ship built in 1901, and visiting the two belfries that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the Saint-Eloi Church and the Dunkirk Town Hall. Other highlights include an array of wonderful water activities such as kite-surfing, sand yachting, catamaran sailing and windsurfing.