Festivals and cultural events Les Flandres

Since 1991, every year since 1991, the Citadel has been abuzz with excitement. Together with the band La Citadelle, at carnival time, the festival La Citadelle en Bordées is the second highlight of the year for this sailors' district. In Dunkirk, the Citadel is surrounded by basins, it can only be accessed by bridges, so it is a sort of small "island" with a soul and is still very much dedicated to the economy of the port and the sea. This festival therefore logically resounds with sailors' songs, but also with folk, Celtic groups, blues, and French songs that are sometimes offbeat and humorous. At Les Bordées, you'll find people flitting from stage to stage (there are 10 of them!) and from café to café. And when it comes to bars and restaurants, there's plenty to choose from! In addition to these establishments that set up large tables outside, there is always the possibility of eating "a French fry", along the heritage ships of the Port Museum, strolling in the middle of an often compact crowd, especially at the Quai de la Citadelle, and being guided by the sound of the bands. The people of Dunkirk love this event and it's easy to see why. About twenty groups can be seen free of charge. Atmosphere until the end of the night!

It's the only book village north of Paris. In 2006, Esquelbecq took up the challenge of becoming a book village. All year round, the village offers a wide range of events, including a book market, literary aperitif, reading salon, meetings with authors and exhibitions. The highlight of the year is the Nuit des livres, a major event held every year on the first weekend in July. It will take place on July 6, 2024. Esquelbecq's exceptional setting, a blend of rurality and interesting architectural buildings (Hallekerke Saint-Folquin, château...), is in keeping with the ambitions of facilitating access to literary expression and culture for as many people as possible, but also with the promise of visiting a pretty corner of culture in Flanders. It's impossible not to fall under the spell of Esquelbecq, village of books and heritage. Christmas and book market on November 16 and 17, 2024. Book market every^3rd Sunday from September to May.Places to visit:

- Le Chef-d'oeuvre retrouvé

- Carpe Diem bookshop

- Books and you

Other establishments contribute to the cultural renown of this charming village:

- Les Gigottos Automates

- Brasserie Thiriez

- The castle

- The church

- Jean-Michel Devynck cultural center