The "Porte des Boules" - formerly "Porte de Dunkerque" - was the only access to the fortified town of Gravelines with the "Porte de Calais".
It was originally equipped with a drawbridge and is named after the two stone spheres, which are ornamented on both sides.
Pretty island-bridge entrance surrounded by moats and walls to the Vauban-designed fortified town. Many confuse this extant "avant-porte" with the old main gate of Dunkirk that used to stand at …