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Dunkerque. Le phare Saint Pol au bout de la digue du Break derriere les oyats et les dunes du Break.

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Hauts-de-France Tourisme / Frédérick Astier

Dunkirk

A bold seaside town shaped by the sea and its people

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Dunkirk is not a town you visit quietly. Open to the North Sea, exposed to wind and light, it has a strong, straightforward character shaped by maritime life and a deep sense of community. Here, the sea is everywhere — in the wide beaches, the working port, and the rhythm of everyday life.

Often associated with major moments of history, Dunkirk is also a lively, generous town that knows how to celebrate, gather and welcome. For visitors from the UK, it offers a coastal escape with substance — combining memory, openness and a very distinctive atmosphere.

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Getting there

5 good reasons to discover Dunkirk

1. A vast beach and open horizons

Dunkirk’s beach stretches wide and uninterrupted, inviting long walks, sea air and a feeling of freedom. It’s a place where space and light take centre stage, whatever the season.

2. A key place in shared history

The story of Operation Dynamo is inseparable from Dunkirk. Museums and memorials offer thoughtful, accessible ways to understand this pivotal moment, rooted in a town that looks forward while remembering.

3. A major port in constant motion

One of France’s largest ports, Dunkirk is alive with activity. Watching ships come and go adds a raw, fascinating dimension to the seaside experience.

4. A town that knows how to celebrate

Dunkirk Carnival is one of the most famous in Europe — vibrant, joyful and deeply local. Even outside carnival season, the town’s festive spirit is easy to sense.

5. A strong sense of togetherness

More than monuments, what stays with you in Dunkirk is its people. Warm, direct and welcoming, they give the town its unique energy and authenticity.

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Chahut pendant le carnaval de Dunkerque, bande de Malo les Bains. Group of people on Dunkerque carnival. Europe, France, Nord, Dunkerque.

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Hauts-de-France Tourisme / Sebastien Jarry

    A taste of your trip to Dunkerque

    Sea wading in Dunkirk
    Dunkirk is the birthplace of sea wading, a sport invented in 2007 by a rowing instructor who “wanted something that would give the whole body a workout”. And it certainly does...
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    From the beach to contemporary art – the FRAC in Dunkirk

    In Dunkirk, moving from sea air to contemporary art couldn’t be easier. From the beach, you can already spot the bright, light-filled former shipyard hall and its modern extension. Just follow the seafront for a ten-minute walk, and you’ll find yourself at the FRAC.

    The FRAC Dunkirk is one of France’s 23 regional collections of contemporary art (Fonds régional d’art contemporain). Inside, more than 1,000 works — paintings, sculptures and installations — offer a rich and accessible introduction to today’s art scene, all within a striking industrial setting.

    It’s an easy and refreshing way to combine a walk by the sea with a cultural visit, without changing pace.

    Discover the FRAC in Dunkirk
    Kitesurfing in Dunkirk: a wind-powered rush
    Kitesurfing combines surfboard and kite to create a trendy board sport that’s popular for a number of reasons. It’s a great workout for the whole body, it improves your balance...
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    Dunkirk in the Second World War – Operation Dynamo

    Dunkirk is also known as a powerful place of remembrance linked to the Second World War. In 1940, the evacuation known as Operation Dynamo became one of the largest rescue operations in history.

    Over 330,000 Allied soldiers, surrounded by enemy forces, were evacuated across the Channel to Great Britain. Alongside naval vessels, hundreds of small civilian boats took part in the operation, creating a lasting symbol of solidarity and courage between the two shores.

    This extraordinary episode entered popular culture when director Christopher Nolan brought the story to the screen in his 2017 film Dunkirk, filmed partly on location.

    Discover Dunkirk and its wartime history (.fr)

    Plan your visit to Dunkerque

    How to get to the Hauts-de-France region?
    Planning your break in Hauts-de-France
    Dunkirk Tourist Information OfficeContact the tourist information office

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