What to do this summer on the Opal Coast | the 2023 summer agenda

The bank holidays and long weekends in May already gave a taste of the holidays… Feeling the urge to get away? What's there to do on the cOpal Coast this summer? With the first rays of sunshine and rising temperatures, here are a few ideas to please nature lovers, culture buffs, food fans, and anyone after a good get-together. In short, here's how to make the most of our beautiful region this summer !

The markets

Wandering pedestrian streets, meeting local craftspeople, buying fresh, seasonal produce… what could be nicer? The Opal Coast has plenty of weekly markets where "doing the shopping" becomes an enjoyable, friendly, and touristy moment!

It's also the season for night markets, perfect for late afternoons and early evenings, when there's time to browse the stalls:

• Étaples: Saturday 19 August 2023, 5pm to 10pm.
• Wimereux: every Saturday in July and August, 6pm to 10pm.
• Wissant: every Friday evening from April to September, 5.30pm to 9pm.
• Audresselles: every Thursday from June to the end of August, 4pm to 8pm.

Cultural activities

The Opal Coast Festival — 6 to 9 July 2023

Find all the details on the festival and check out this year's 2023 line-up, with all the artists celebrating French-language music!

Yves Saint Laurent exhibition — Dunkirk — 24 June to 12 November

La Cité de la dentelle et de la mode shines a light on the genius of one of France's greatest fashion designers: Yves Saint Laurent. The Transparences exhibition reveals how the famous designer knew how to reveal the female form, notably through his use of lace. Explore his work through garments, as well as sketches, accessories, photographs and videos from the Pierre Bergé — Yves Saint Laurent collection.

Family outings

The crab festival — Audresselles — 17 and 18 June 2023

A whole village celebrating this shellfish, an emblem of the coast! Tastings, exhibitions, concerts, activities for the whole family, and more.

Behind the scenes at Nausicaá

Discover the largest aquarium in Europe like never before! Spend an hour exploring the cast behind the aquatic ballet of the Haute Mer tank. Book your spot quickly for a front-row seat at feeding time, or to meet the keepers and find out how this major attraction works.
📍3 visits a day, booking required online or at the ticket desk. From age 8.

The Dragon of Calais

It's an initially rather imposing sight, as much anticipated as feared by the youngest visitors. Its massive silhouette looms over the seafront at Calais… the dragon lets itself be admired, placid, and a little mischievous when it soaks you with its water jet! Either way, no one stays unmoved as this fantastic creature goes by! Fancy gaining some height and trying something different: to take in the seafront from an unusual viewpoint, 12 metres up, for 45 minutes, how about a ride on the dragon's back? Bookings can be made on site or online for one of the 7 daily rides of this mechanical giant.

Outdoor activities on the Opal Coast

Walking

Make the most of nature to stretch your legs — nothing could be easier. With a huge range of walking and cycling trails, you'll be spoilt for choice!

Board sports

The wide sandy beaches are also perfect for plenty of board sports! Sand yachting, kitesurfing, kite flying! On the beach, everyone can find their thing, whatever the elements throw at them.

Doing nothing at all

And why not simply make the most of the Opal Coast's stunning beaches? Plant your parasol, spread out your towel, get out a good book, and that's it — total relaxation guaranteed!