Boulogne-sur-Mer - Hôtel de ville

In Roman times Bononia (now "Boulogne-sur-Mer") was the major Roman port for trade and communication with Britain. Caesar's invasions of Britain started right here.

From the 9th century on Boulogne was the capital of the "County of Boulogne". Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin I of Jerusalem, prominent figures in the First Crusade, were both Counts of Boulogne.

The old town, located of a hill, is surrounded by ramparts since the 13th century.

The belfry, behind the "Hôtel de ville" is the last remaining structure of a fort, erected by Renaud de Dammartin, Count of Boulogne from 1191 to 1214, a powerful opponent of Philip II of France. His successors erected a still existing castle, near the remparts, at the edge of the old town. The octogonal top of the belfry was added in 1734, after the medieval spire had burnt down.