The Tobacco Warehouse

Situated in the Citadel Quarter, the Musée Portuaire is housed in a former tobacco warehouse built in 1869 next to the historic docks.
The warehouse, used to store imported tobacco, is a fine example of 19th century architecture.
It has a surface area of 5,000m2, spread over four floors with each floor divided into 5 bays by brick walls. The roof and floors are in wood.
Thankfully, with the exception of the roof, it escaped destruction during the bombardment of the Second World War.
Taken out of service in 1972, it was restored by its new owner, the Dunkirk District Authorities and since 1992 has housed the Musée Portuaire.

 

The tobacco warehouse before its conversion into a museum, around 1980. Photo: AGUR.