Cultural heritage
The Park's maritime cultural heritage is large: material heritage in building, works of art and artistic trends, intangible heritage and emblematic landscapes.
Celebrations and traditions
Many celebrations and traditions enrich the cultural heritage. La Rencontre des Cerfs-Volants (The Kites Meeting) in Berck-sur-Mer is without any doubt the most popular festivity. In Boulogne sur-Mer, we celebrate the Fête de la Mer (Sea Festival) every 2 years, and the Fête du Hareng (Herring Festival) every year. At these events, it is possible to see the locals in traditional Matelote dress.
Material heritage of buildings
The material heritage of buildings also marks the use of the sea. The region's typical fishing quarters, seaside resorts, beach huts, forts, lighthouses and remnants of war, bunkers and blockhouses along the coastline are evidence of this deep-rooted culture of the sea.
The art
This also involves art : many are those who represented the coastline and people of the Pas-de-Calais in paintings, and drawn inspiration from it in their writings.
The wrecks
Underwater wrecks are a common sight in the park's waters. They bear witness to the history of the great sea routes and the fighting during the two World Wars.
The shipbuilding tradition
The Marine Nature Park is also home to a shipbuilding tradition. Traditional boats and barques represent the history of fishermen through the ages: flobarts, yoles, dundee, sauterelliers.
The gastronomy
Finally, the gastronomy of the côte d’Opale reflects its taste for the sea. Many varieties of fish are caught in the Marine Natural Park: sole, batoid, turbot, sea bass, cod, etc. These products from the sea are very present in local recipes.
A few translations ...
- The lighthouse : le phare
- The painting : la peinture
- The wreck : l'épave
- The traditional boat : le bateau traditionnel
- The batoid : la raie