Without Boulogne sur Mer, Nausicaa shouldn’t exist. Without Nausicaa, Boulogne sur Mer wouldn’t be so notorious. A fruitful relation between this city and its sea park which have a common history…

Boulogne sur mer is a picturesque city on the french North Sea, about 1 hour drive from Lille, 2hours 30 from Brussels and 1h30 saling from the UK coast with the ferry.

Sightseeing can be a lovely activity to discover Boulogne sur Mer because there are differents points of intrest: the belfry, the basilica, the medieval castle, the Column on the Grande Armée (Napoleon Times).

The fishing industry remains very important for the economy of Boulogne sur Mer and is a testimony of the vivid link between the city and the sea. Boulogne sur Mer is the first fishing harbour of France. In the past, the cross-channel activity was also important but in 2011 the direct link between Boulogne and UK disappeared.

That Boulogne is so linked with the sea contributed to the cration of Nausicaa, along time ago.

The then mayor and national politician Guy Lengagne had to find “something” to replace the then old casino. One part was destroyed and the other served to become the embryo of the national sea centre nausicaa, which, would open its doors then years later in 1991.

Guy Lengagne who in between became french state secretary for the sea  hired three oceanographers to develop an original project linked to the sea which then would be installed in the premises of the former casino. In 1984, an architect was appointed to draw the plans of this future national center for the sea.

Tthe first fished were fed in a  hall in the center of the city in 1986. A bit later, the building works started and in 1991, Nausicaa could receive its first visitors.

A long and exciting story that we will tell you in the coming days

 

Miguel D. DESNERCK