Wikipedia
Gravelines is a commune in the Nord department in Northern France. It lies at the mouth of the river Aa southwest of Dunkirk. It was formed in the 12th century around the mouth of a canal built to connect Saint-Omer with the sea. As it was on the western borders of Spanish territory in Flanders it became heavily fortified, some of which still remains.
There is a market in the town square (Place Charles Valentin) on Fridays. The "Arsenal" approached from the town square is home to an extensive and carefully displayed art collection. There are modern bronze statues in the grounds. The town is also home to French basketball club BCM Gravelines.
Gravelines (1972 – 30 April 1977) was a French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. Unraced as a juvenile, he won three minor races as a three-year-old in 1975 but was beaten when tried in higher class. In 1976 he made significant improvement, winning the Prix du Palais-Royal, Prix Jacques le Marois and Prix du Moulin and ending the year as one of the highest rated horses in Europe. He was moved to the United States in 1977 where he won the Canadian Turf Handicap and the Pan American Handicap before being fatally injured in the Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap.