Belgium–France border Belgium–France border The <dfn>Belgium–France border</dfn> separates France and Belgium countries and is 620 km long. Part of it is defined by the Leie river. The western end is at the North Sea ( near De Panne and Bray-Dunes). The eastern end is at the Belgium–France–Luxembourg tripoint (at near Athus and Mont-Saint-Martin). The straight distance between these points is 289 km. Since 1995 Belgium–France are parts of the Schengen Area. This means there are no permanent border controls at this border, but there has been temporary controls. The Belgian side of the border is shared by, from north to south, the
History of France of the continent, including France, to be drawn into war within a few short weeks. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in late July, triggering Russian mobilization. On 1 August both Germany and France ordered mobilization. Germany was much better prepared militarily than any of the other countries involved, including France. The German Empire, as an ally of Austria, declared war on Russia. France was allied with Russia and so was ready to commit to war against the German Empire. On 3 August Germany declared war on France, and sent its armies through neutral Belgium. Britain entered the war on 4