Column of the Grande ArméeAbout Column of the Grande Armée
The Column of the Grande Armée is a Napoleonic monument located near Boulogne-sur-Mer in Hauts-de-France that commemorates the military forces Napoleon gathered on the Channel coast for a planned invasion of Britain. It dates from the early 19th century and stands as a local historic landmark.
The column was erected in the post-revolutionary Napoleonic era to mark the Grande Armée’s presence and the coastal encampments at Boulogne. Its form follows the classical commemorative column type and it occupies a prominent position in the landscape above the port area.
The monument sits on the coastal ridge near Boulogne-sur-Mer in the Pas-de-Calais department, visible across the surrounding countryside and serving as a historical waypoint for visitors to the region.
Nearby Attractions to Column of the Grande Armée
Best Time to Visit Column of the Grande Armée
Best visited in fair weather when the coastal light reveals the column's patina and the surrounding memorials are accessible for walking.
Weather & Climate near Column of the Grande Armée
Column of the Grande Armée's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (608 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 3° - 7° | 0° | 57 mm | - | - | 6.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 2° - 7° | 4° | 45 mm | - | - | 6.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 4° - 9° | 3° | 38 mm | - | - | 6.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 6° - 12° | 5° | 35 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 9° - 15° | 12° | 40 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 11° - 17° | 14° | 37 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 20° | 17° | 41 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 21° | 17° | 48 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 13° - 18° | 15° | 57 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 9° - 14° | 12° | 66 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 6° - 10° | 5° | 87 mm | - | - | 6.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 4° - 8° | 2° | 57 mm | - | - | 6.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Column of the Grande Armée
The column is reachable by regional roads from Boulogne-sur-Mer and nearby coastal towns. Regional buses and local roads connect Wimereux and surrounding communes-best reached by car or local transit from Boulogne.
Tips for Visiting Column of the Grande Armée
- Visit early in the morning to avoid heat and the mid-day tourist trickle.
- Look closely at the bronze plaques and Napoleon-era inscriptions around the column for small historical annotations often missed by casual passersby.