Comines, commune in Nord, France
Comines is a border city between France and Belgium, divided by the Lys river. The town features narrow historic streets and medieval buildings, including a tall belfry and the neo-Byzantine church of Saint Chrysole, which displays a colorful dome and tall bell tower.
Comines was founded in the third century and grew as a feudal estate within the county of Flanders. From the 17th century onward, a border divided the city, with the French section ultimately passing to France after wars and occupation by Spain and the Netherlands.
Comines carries its Flemish past into the present through language and celebration. The Fête des Louches festival, held each October, draws locals and visitors who gather to watch a parade and catch wooden spoons tossed from the town hall balconies, a custom that has survived for centuries.
The city is easy to explore on foot and has bike paths throughout and around it. Buses and cars serve as the main transport options, while local shops, cafes, and markets are accessible on both sides of the border.
In 1962, a meteorite fell in the area, a rare astronomical event that locals remember as a special moment in the town's past. This unusual occurrence marks a unique point in Comines' timeline and reminds visitors that history unfolds through more than human actions alone.
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