Our specific area of study this time focussed on Activity 2, the Interpretation of Maritime Heritage Sites, and in particular the range of interpretative tools available.

On the morning of Day 1, partners were welcomed to Dunkerque by the curator of the Musée Portuaire, Isabelle Roussel, who showed us round an exhibition funded through the HMS project and entitled “ Tracing maritime trade in the North Sea between the 16^th and 18^th centuries”. The exhibition had been open to the public since 1^st of July and was extended to accommodate the Eductour visit. The visit was followed by a tour of the light-ship Sandettie which provided an interesting contrast with our visit to the partner light-ship LV21 in Medway in April.

Before lunch came our first working session with a presentation by Fabrice Pieters from the Communauté Urbaine de Dunkerque of their progress on the design and installation of a discovery heritage trail in the local harbour area. Questions followed about the issues and solutions relating to signage policies, which were the outset of a very productive interaction between many partners during the whole trip. Lunch was provided on site and gave more opportunity for partners to share their experience and expertise.

The afternoon took us to Boulogne with a first stop at the Calvaire des Marins where we were warmly welcomed by a group of volunteers from the Association for the Memory of Sailors. The visit of the site was enhanced by the beautiful weather that allowed for an open view onto the Channel. The volunteers described the premise for the contruction of the current calvary dating 1995 and this brought another more human dimension to the HMS project and also quite a few tears in many partners’ eyes. Indeed, aside from improving buildings and public access or the interpretation or celebration of our maritime heritage, the symbolic importance of the preservation of our partner sites was brought home when reading the never ending lists of names of local people lost at sea, some of whom still children.

The coach then took us to the heart of Boulogne for a visit of the Archives Municipales where Karine Berthaud, manager, and Maxime Blamangin talked to us about their project related work on the digitalisation of old pictures on glass plaques celebrating life in the sea resort of Boulogne-sur-mer between 1850 and 1914. These clichés were the subject of an exhibition in 2010. The exhibits are available for free to HMS partners and some expressed an interest in borrowing the material for their own partner site while time was given to the group to visit the current exhibition of old posters marketing the resort. 

Foreign partners carried on to Le Touquet to check in at their hotel before reconvening for dinner with a few French representatives. Informal chats ensued during the meal provided by the SMCO.

Day 2 was led by José Alonso from Le Touquet and started with an energetic walk to and climb of the Lighthouse as well as a visit of the lighthouse museum. Mr Alonso updated us on the progress of the HMS project concerning the development of the site.

We then walked to the Palais des Congrés where we attended a series of 2 presentations on Activity 2 related topics.

Mr Alonso gave us the theory behind the approach adopted by Le Touquet to promote the local heritage using modern communication tools based on economic and marketing advantages as well as the provision of a richer and more immediate service to the customer. The presentation sparked many questions and comments from other partners, which added to its interest.

Sarah Lingier then described the innovative approach in place in Oostende since June where smartphones containing an internal GPS unit are being lent to visitors to accompany them along the city’s maritime heritage trail. Again, the audience proved to be captive and curious.

We left Le Touquet to meet Dominique Gosselin and Stéphanie Genty for lunch in Etaples sur mer where the Mayor welcomed us. Once again, lunch was an opportunity for partners to informally carry on their conversations following site visits and presentations, and for the lead partner to catch up on administrative issues with the representatives of Etaples.

Lunch was followed by a 45-minute mini-cruise around the Bay of Canche with commentaries by the retiring captain on what was his very last trip of the season. This allowed us to have a different view, from the sea, of the sites we had visited that day. The beautiful weather made it even more special.

The partners then regrouped for the last time inside Etaples tourist office for a warm and satisfied farewell following 2 very pleasant and productive days.

Our next and final partners’ trip is scheduled for May 2012 in Zeeland for the HMS Project final conference.

All presentations held during the eductour can be downloaded here:

Fabrice Pieters' presentation on the design and installation of a discovery heritage trail in the Dunkerque harbour area

José Alonso's presentation on the promotion of local heritage in Le Touquet using modern communication tools

Sarah Lingier's presentation on the Digital maritime heritage walk in Ostend