Estaminet Au Bon Vieux Temps (Bergues)

Estaminet Au Bon Vieux Temps is a historic estaminet at 4 Rue Espagnole in Bergues, a walled Flemish town near Dunkirk in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Bergues is surrounded by Vauban-era ramparts and dominated by its belfry, and it gained wider fame as a filming location for the comedy Welcome to the Sticks (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis).

The estaminet follows the Flemish tavern tradition, serving hearty regional cooking in a warm, old-fashioned room. The waterzoï flamand, a creamy stew traditionally made with chicken or fish, is the signature dish. Pain d'épices maison, house-made spiced gingerbread, is the speciality dessert, and a local artisanal beer rounds out the experience. Mains cost roughly €14 to €20, a moderate price for the region.

The atmosphere is cosy and unpretentious. Noise is moderate, there is no dress code, and the clientele mixes local diners with visitors exploring the ramparts and the film locations. Beer is the natural pairing, and the local artisanal bottle on the menu suits the stew.

Service is Wednesday to Sunday, with lunch from 12:00 to 14:30 and dinner from 19:00 to 21:00. The venue is closed Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are recommended, particularly on Sunday lunch and in summer when day-trippers arrive. Because Bergues is small and the estaminet has limited seating, booking ahead avoids disappointment. The town is easily reached by train from Dunkirk and is a pleasant half-day stop combined with a rampart walk and a visit to the belfry.