Dune Dewulf & the Flemish Coastal Dunes Nature Reserve
Just 12 km east of Dunkirk's city centre, the Dune Dewulf nature reserve protects one of the last intact stretches of Flemish coastal dune system in France — a rippling landscape of marram grass, wind-sculpted hollows and surprisingly rich wildlife that most visitors drive straight past on their way to Belgium. In spring, the dune slacks fill with marsh orchids and natterjack toads; in autumn, mig
Walking the Dunes
A well-marked 5 km loop trail leaves from the car park at Bray-Dunes and winds through dune ridges that rise to nearly 20 metres, offering sudden, dramatic views of the North Sea before plunging back into sheltered hollows thick with sea buckthorn and wild rose.
The trail passes the site of the northernmost evacuation beaches of 1940, where interpretive panels explain how Allied soldiers waited in these very dunes for the rescue ships. The combination of natural beauty and historical weight is quietly overwhelming.
Wildlife and Best Seasons
Spring (April–June) is the prime season: green-winged orchids bloom in the damp slacks, skylarks sing overhead and the sea is a luminous grey-green. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars for passing gannets and terns visible from the dune crests.
In summer the reserve gets busier as day-trippers arrive from Dunkirk, but the dunes are large enough to absorb the crowds. Sunrise visits in July and August reward early risers with golden light, empty trails and the chance to spot roe deer emerging from the scrub.
More of Dunkirk
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Dunkirk →
