It was during the Grand Départ of the 2001 race that a Tour finish last took place in the city renowned as the home of 17th-century naval commander Jean Bart. Christophe Moreau won the prologue and consequently the privilege of wearing the Yellow Jersey. Known also for the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque (Four Days of Dunkirk), whose winner is awarded a pink jersey, the town also welcomed the Tour peloton in 2022 for the start of a stage to Calais, which was won by Wout van Aert in the Yellow Jersey.
- Stage town for the 21st time
- Sub-prefecture in the department of Nord (59)
- Population: 87,000 (Dunkerquois and Dunkerquoises); 2,611,000 within the department of Nord; 5,996,000 within the Hauts-de-France region
