Leave Furnes by the Rue de l'Est, and immediately after crossing the canal, take the Nieuport road, on the left. At Wulpen (5 kms.), cross the canal to go to Oost-Dunkirk (2 kms.) Numerous shelters, trenches, and wire entanglements are to be seen along the road.
Oost-Dunkirk-Bains.
After crossing the railway (l.c.) turn to the left into Oost-Dunkirk. Like Coxyde, Oost-Dunkirk comprises the town proper—situated behind the dunes, on a road which, via Coxyde, linked up Furnes with Nieuport—and the baths, 2 kms. further north, on the coast. Both places served as billeting quarters for the French Marines in 1915. The immense camps of wooden huts were occupied later by the Zouaves.
The town was practically destroyed by the bombardments; most of the houses are in ruins, but the church is still standing.
To visit the Baths (2 kms.) take the road on the right, beyond the church, noticing the numerous shelters in the dunes. Coming back from the dike, take the first road on the left to Nieuport-Bains (4 kms.) The road crosses a region covered with defence-works, trenches and wire entanglements, alternating with shelters and battery positions. The battle zone began there. All vestiges of life and vegetation have disappeared.
Before reaching Nieuport-Bains, a Franco-British cemetery (photo below) is seen on the left, and a little further on, the ruins of the church, with a cemetery in front.
Nieuport-Bains, a small watering-place situated 3 kms. from Nieuport and 17 kms. from Ostend, was perhaps the prettiest of the Belgian seaside places. There the dunes rise in places to a height of 100 feet.
