The small town of Esquelbecq is situated towards the north of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northern France, about 20 kilometres south of Dunkirk. As well as being a pleasant place for a stroll it is also known as a 'village of books' and for its war cemetery.
Exploring Esquelbecq
Start your visit in the centre of the town, the Place Alphonse Bergerot. This is a large paved square mostly surrounded by attractive brick houses, in the 17th century style traditional of the Flanders region.
Just off from the south-west corner of the Place Alphonse Bergerot you can see the Château d'Esquelbecq, a 13th century castle rebuilt in the 17th century (in 1606), when most of the windows were added.
The castle, in red-brick (except for a ring of white stone around the middle) with eight round towers and surrounded by a moat (crossed by two bridges) and beautiful gardens, is not open to the public but you can see it from the square. The tower you can see in the castle grounds is a colombier (for raising pigeons) and is also a listed historic monument dating from 1606.
In the middle of the square is the 16th century Church of Saint-Folquin, although its origins are believed to date from the 10th century. The church has three naves of equal size, an unusual design typical of the Flanders region and known as a 'hallekirke'
The church was substantially rebuilt in 1978 after a fire destroyed most of the building.
You can climb the steps inside the belltower of the church (small entry charge payable as with the church itself) to see views across the town and countryside, and also to see an exhibition explaining the fire and the rebuilding.
Esquelbecq Military Cemetery and Wormhoudt Massacre Site
The War Cemetery is a short distance west of the village and contains the graves of nearly 600 soldiers, mostly from the Commonwealth, that died near here during the First World War, and about 50 further graves from the Second World War.
As well as the military cemetery there is another war memorial site at Wormhoudt close to Esquelbecq, called the Site Mémoire de la Plaine au Bois.
The site commemorates a battle between the advancing Germans and the retreating British troops (heading towards Dunkirk) in May 1940. About 100 British soldiers were captured, imprisoned in a barn, and then murdered by the SS. Only a very few managed to escape and survive. On the site there are various tributes, and a reconstruction of the barn in which the troops were held.
Esquelbecq, town of books
A 'town of books' (there are several of these across Europe) is a regional centre for the selling of old and new books, through bookshops and regular markets, and aims to provide a central location where book enthusiasts can buy and sell books in a pleasant atmosphere.
The book markets in Esquelbecq are held on the third Sunday of each month in the Maison du Westhoek and attracts buyers and sellers from all across Belgium and France.
Other sights and attractions
The river Yser crosses the village, and a stroll along the riverside in the shade of the trees is pleasant.
Explore elsewhere in the North East France. You can find more travel ideas in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais guide.
Arrange a visit to Esquelbecq
Hotels in Esquelbecq
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Esquelbecq and places nearby
Visit near Esquelbecq with France This Way reviews
Cassel
The town of Cassel is built on the highest hill in the Flanders region and has extensive views
Cassel guide
Saint-Omer
The attractive centre of Saint-Omr is one of the best towns to see houses built in the Flemish style typical of the region
Saint-Omer guide
Gravelines
The principal attraction at Gravelines is the fortifications, built by the Spanish in the 16th century and reinforced by Vauban in the 17th century
Gravelines guide
Aire-sur-la-Lys
Now officially listed as a 'recommended detour' town, the highlight in Aire-sur-la-Lys is the bailliage, an ornate renaissance style building built in 1600
Aire-sur-la-Lys guide
Lille
The renaissance of Lille over the last 20 years has transformed an industrial town into one of the most rewarding cities in northern France to vist
Lille guide
Montreuil-sur-Mer
The historic centre of the fortified town of Montreuil is lovely to explore with lots of cobbled streets and shady squares to discover
Montreuil-sur-Mer guideAddress: Esquelbecq, Wormhout, Dunkerque, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, 59470, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 50.8864, longitude 2.4319
Plan your visit to Esquelbecq, Nord
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Beffroi de Bergues (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (9 km)
- Bergues: recommended detour (9 km)
- La ferme du mont des Récollets: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Réserve naturelle nationale des étangs du Romelaëre: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Grande-Synthe: ville fleurie 4* (17 km)
- Beffroi de l'église St-Éloi de Dunkerque (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (17 km)
- Beffroi et hôtel de ville de Dunkerque (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (17 km)
- Loon-Plage: ville fleurie 4* (19 km)
- Saint-Omer: town of art and history (20 km)
- Dune fossile de Ghyvelde: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Réserve naturelle de la Dune Marchand: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Gravelines: recommended detour (24 km)
The French version of this page is at Esquelbecq (Francais)