February 2025
About 5 years ago I was praising France for having convenient, fast (and even cheap) trains. Then I didn't travel for several years, and now I got lucky: traveling to the north
Complete fail: discount cards are pointless, cheap price for 2 hours of travel here is considered 30-40 euros. Fail, God save Czechia
The train to Boulogne from Paris consisted of two trains that were absolutely empty after the first couple of stations. No wifi. Toilets didn't work by evening
The first thing a tourist sees in Boulogne - Czechia
And homeless people
The city near the station itself is uninteresting, life begins about 10-15 minutes on foot
Generally, life in the center exists, but the region is still a bit depressing, no work (see neighboring Dunkirk)
The center itself is already very lively, people everywhere
By coincidence I ended up in the local university here. The teachers' lounge inside is magnificent. Students - ordinary, everything like home. By the way, this same university is also in Dunkirk, relatively modern
Center
"Sur Mer" in the name means "by the sea"
There is sea here
But in February there's nothing to catch here
The waterfront is OK, but need to return in summer
In the evening the historic center empties out. Empties out, basically, all of Boulogne after about seven. Houses are very cold, a special treat here is considered a panel building with central heating
Survived the day in the library. Everything's fine, but nobody goes
The city itself is beautiful, but walking is difficult
Often have to walk uphill, and the vibe is still sad
In the middle of nowhere there's a free house-museum of some Argentine general. A real Argentine comes down to you for five minutes, asks "hablas español?" and gives you a paper in French. Never expected that my Spanish would be useful 13 years after finishing university, and I'd say "claro, que sí!"
