France: Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer is smack right on the Atlantic Coast and is a fishing port and also a medieval town completely surrounded by walls. Inside is a baroque church from the 13th century, a small fortified castle, and most importantly a stunning 12th century belfry tower that earned the town its UNESCO World Heritage designation. The small town is exploitable in a matter of hours (or longer if you sit and have a beer). Just outside the town is the Colonne de la Grand Armee – a 53 meter high column that was supposed to commemorate the Napoleon’s successful invasion of England which actually never happened (a pitfall of forward looking statements).
