Berck

Berck is a commune with 15,171 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Pas -de- Calais, in the Nord -Pas -de -Calais. It is the capital of the Canton of Berck. The place is divided into the areas of Berck -Ville in the east and Berck -Plage in the West. The former fishing village in the French sense is a seaside resort and a popular swimming and tourism city.

History

Thanks to its virtually germ-free and particle-free sea air was the place from the Second Empire until the discovery of appropriate antibiotic therapy and an important resort for tuberculosis patients. After the inauguration of the " Hôpital Maritime " by the Empress Eugénie in 1869, more hospitals were built quickly, some of which are preserved to this day and are used for therapeutic purposes. A characteristic feature of these buildings are large terraces and balconies where the patient resided during the day to breathe.

The Queen of Serbia, Natalie converted to the Church of the sanatorium Cazin - Perrochaud in Berck -Plage in 1902 to Catholicism, was then a nun and worked for some time in this place.

Beach

The very flat, sandy beach, especially at low tide a vast area and thus an ideal area for beach sailing and kite flying. However, the dangers of rapidly rising tide should not be underestimated. Every year in April, it hosts the International Kite Festival ( Rencontres Internationales de Cerfs valances ) instead. Also very attractive are the surrounding dunes.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Katherine Kath (* 1920), actress
• Philippe Drogoz ( b. 1937 ), composer
• Céline Deville ( b. 1982 ), football player

Twinning

Since 1976 is twinned with Bad Honnef in Germany.

Others

Berck 's main setting in the film The Diving Bell and Butterfly.