Canal de la Basse Colme
Encyclopedia
The Canal de la Basse Colme is a canal in northern France from Bergues
Bergues
Bergues is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is situated to the south of Dunkirk and from the Belgian border. Locally it is referred to as "the other Bruges in Flanders"...

 to Hondschoote
Hondschoote
Hondschoote is a commune of the Nord département, in northern France.-Heraldry:-Geography:Hondschoote lies on the French side of the Franco-Belgian frontier, just inland from the North Sea....

 on the Belgian border. It is the eastern segment of the Canal de la Colme
Canal de la Colme
The Canal de la Colme is made up of the Canal de la Haute Colme and the Canal de la Basse Colme.-References:...

. In Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, it continues as the Canal de Bergues
Canal de Bergues
The Canal de Bergues is an 8 km long canal connecting Bergues and the ports at Dunkerque, in the Nord department, in northern France. It was built in 16th century.The canal was in use in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 18th is now a deadend at Bergues....

 (in Dutch : Bergenvaart).

Today, this channel is downgraded.

History

In Châtellenie of Furnes
Veurne
Veurne is a city and municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Veurne proper and the settlements of Avekapelle, Booitshoeke, Bulskamp, De Moeren, Eggewaartskapelle, Houtem, Steenkerke, Vinkem, Wulveringem, and Zoutenaaie.-Origins in the 15th...

, the name given to the channel was Bergenvaart or Kolme (Canal de Bergues Canal Colme). During the Middle Ages, the canal was a very important trade route. In 1622, it was improved and a lock was built by the Spaniards in time of war Houthem to prevent flooding from Bergues. The French side of the canal has been deepened and it looks like much more of an industrial canal. The Belgian side has kept its medieval character.
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