Canal de la Basse Colme

Canal de la Basse Colme
Canal Lower Colme (Canal de Bergues in Belgium: Bergenvaart) leaving at Bergues Hoymille.
Specifications
Length	13 km (8.1 mi)
Locks	1
Status	Downgraded.
History
Construction began	1293
Geography
Start point	Bergues
End point	Hondschoote
Branch of	Canal de la Colme
Connects to	Canal de Bergues, Canal de la Haute Colme

The Canal de la Basse Colme is a canal in northern France from Bergues to Hondschoote on the Belgian border. It is the eastern segment of the Canal de la Colme. In Belgium, it continues as the Canal de Bergues (in Dutch : Bergenvaart).

Today, this channel is downgraded.

History[]

In the castellany of Furnes, 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.

See also[]

• List of canals in France

References[]

Coordinates: 50°59′16″N 2°31′09″E / 50.9879°N 2.5193°E / 50.9879; 2.5193