FR24 Barge trip on the canal from Coudekerque to Bergues

Students got the opportunity to navigate on the “Castelnau” (French aristocrat and soldier who died in the battle of the Dunes in 1658) boat through the 7.8 km channel from Coudekerque to Bergues, which is the largest channel in France created in the XII century by Philipe of Flandes. This also gave the students a chance to see the landscape from the water and get a feel for how important the water is for our cities, lives and societies in the local environment. The students could reflect on the visit to the Wateringues system and also see the fortified village of Bergues with its 50-bells belfry, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2005. It was also a time to socialize and discuss important environmental issues with peers and staff using English, French and Spanish to communicate thoughts and ideas. The water conservation and our environments have a great effect on our lives, our actions are linked and can have both negative and positive effects. The students communicated while having fun and showed consideration and concern about the sustainable development while navigating on the boat. They shared experience, it also helped to strengthen the bonds of new friendships and there was a good feeling of comradery together on the boat trip.

Students were able to see in situ the gates on both sides of the channel, through which the water is pumped into other channels and the sea when the water level rises. They socialise and discuss common issues and share perspectives on our common environments. An egret and some geese were observed on the channel bank. A wider perspective on environmental issues was gained, such as the importance of not littering in the channel because the rubbish would reach the sea even filtering the water. Environmental issues such as the importance and conservation of water, biodiversity, the effects of climate change and contamination on our environment were raised and discussed. Students saw and learned about the fortified and medieval village of Bergues, its textile trade history, its walls, channels, livestock market and Unesco World Heritage belfry. Students cooperated and had fun while learning more about the importance of actively working for the conservation of our common environments. The students became closer as a group.