Montreuil Sur Mer Journey, France, Montreuil sur Mer, France

Montreuil sur Mer in Pas de Calais, Northern France, is not on the coast, as it name suggests, but it is surrounded by a verdant green sea of lush countryside. Enclosed in historic city walls its narrow, cobbled streets ooze history, charm and gastronomic delights.

My enchantment with the little walled town of Montreuil sur Mer was immediate. I approached Montreuil sur Mer through Ville Basse, the lower part of the town. The Canche River meanders through the marshes that surround this area. During the Middle Ages this town was one of the wealthiest ports in northern Europe. Then, the Canche estuary flowed into Montreuil and its quays were busy with sailing ships bringing pilgrims to the holy relics in its churches as well as cloth, grain and wine. But, as the river silted up the importance of its port dwindled to nothing and today commerce has given way to canoes.

I wound my way up to the centre of town in Ville Haute, a walled town built on the forty-metre high chalk hill above the old port. This town and its market place was once guarded by a royal castle built by French king Philippe Auguste (1180 to 1223). I was immediately entranced by my surroundings as I drove through the narrow cobbled streets lined with old buildings. As it was the tail-end of the siesta these streets were very quiet and I soon happened upon a parking space in Place de Darnetal. Montreuil still upholds the popular French tradition of freely available parking subject to not completely blocking a road. I was eager to get out and being exploring. This pretty square was home to a large war memorial, a little fountain and the old pharmacy (still dispensing medicines). The beautiful flower displays decorating the square I soon discovered were a common feature of the town. At the end of Rue Carnot, leading out of this square. I could see a grassy area and set off to investigate. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).