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DunkerqueThe statements and opinions on this page are solely those of its authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of CouchSurfing International.
  Dunkerque is a city in France. Known as Dunkirk in english and Duinkerke in dutch, is a harbour city in the northernmost part of France, one of the main cities of the region Nord-Pas-de-Calais, 10 kilometres from the Belgian border. Population of the city at the 1999 census was 70,850 inhabitants (71,300 inhabitants as of February 2004 estimates). Population of the whole metropolitan area was 265,974 inhabitants at the 1999 census.
HISTORY OF DUNKERQUEThe BeginningDunkerque (Dunkirk) was first mentioned in 1067 as Dunkerk (Dutch language: “Church of the Dune” or Dune Church). The area was much disputed between Spain, England, the Netherlands and France. In the Eighty Years' War the port was the base of the infamous Dunkirkers private shipowners (reders in Dutch) operated whole privateer fleets to intercept merchants from countries hostile to the Spanish Habsburgs. The Dunkirkers briefly lost their home port, as the city was conquered by the French in 1646 but recaptured by the Habsburgs in 1652. Dunkerque in World War IIIn May 1940 during the battle of France, the British Expeditionary Force in France aiding the French, were cut off from the rest of the French Army by the German advance. Encircled by the Germans they retreated to the area around the port of Dunkirk. The German land forces could have easily destroyed the British expeditionary force, especially when many of the British troops, in their haste to withdraw, had left behind their heavy equipment. For some unexplained and still unknown reason, Adolf Hitler ordered the German army to stop the attack, favouring bombardment by the Luftwaffe. Some say it was because Hitler was still hopeful of establishing diplomatic peace with Britain before 1940 so the Germans could have a potential allied force against the Russians, while others contest that the unfavourable terrain (which was not suited to armoured vehicles) and a strategic German desire to retain strength for future operations was the real explanation. This lull in the action gave the British a few days to evacuate by sea. Winston Churchill ordered any ship or boat available, large or small, to pick up the stranded soldiers, and 338,226 men (including 120,000 French soldiers) were evacuated - the miracle of Dunkirk, as Churchill called it. It took over 900 vessels to evacuate the Allied forces. More than 40,000 vehicles as well as massive amounts of other military equipment and supplies were left behind; their value being less than that of trained fighting men. The British evacuation of Dunkirk through the English Channel was codenamed Operation Dynamo. The city was again contested in 1944, and the Second Canadian Division attempted to liberate the city in September, as Allied forces surged northeast after their victory in the Battle of Normandy. German forces refused to relinquish their control of the city, which had been converted into a fortress, and the garrison there was "masked" by Allied troops, notably 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade. The fortress under command of German Admiral Friedrich Frisius eventually unconditionally surrendered to the commander of the Czechoslovak forces, Brigade General Alois Liška, on May 9 1945. During the German occupation, Dunkirk was largely destroyed by allied bombings; the artillery siege of Dunkirk was directed on the final day of the war by pilots from No. 652 Squadron RAF, and No. 665 Squadron RCAF. Postwar DunkerqueOn 14 December 2002, the Norway|Norwegian ship auto carrier MV Tricolor collided with the Bahamas registered Kariba and sank off Dunkirk harbour, causing a hazard to navigation in the English Channel. More information about the History of Dunkerque on the wikipedia:Dunkerque ! WHAT TO VISIT ?
TIPSFree Internet/Wifi AccessHere are the different place where you can find some free internet/wifi access:
 Nice and Cheap FoodsHere are some suggestion of restaurant not so expensive:
NightlifeHere are some nice places to go during the evening / night:
COUCHSURFERSThere are about 70 couchsurfers who live in Dunkerque and the area. There is also a CS Group in Dunkerque, Click here to join it ! Meetings There are sometimes some meetings in Dunkerque, on the beach, on the Harbour, in the dune or even for the Annual and Famous Carnaval ! Check the CS Group of Dunkerque to be kept udpated about what happen here ! Here are some pictures of some former meetings in Dunkerque:
Coffee or a DrinkHere is a list of CSers who live in Dunkerque and would be able to show you the city and/or free to take a coffee or a drink: Caroline, Anne, Jimmy, Benoit, Vivian
TRANSPORTATIONS How to get to Dunkerque ?By PlaneHere are the list of the nearest airports:
By Car
By Train
BusBicyclesIN CASE OF EMERGENCY
SAMU: 15 or SMUR Dunkerque Tel: 0328295959
Consulat of Brazil
LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS
IMPORTANT LINKS
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