Dunkerque Flandre Côte d'Opale, a gourmet destination!

A short break in the Dunkerque area

Make haste, because autumn, the season of blazing colours, is the perfect time to sample the area's flavours and head for the fete, the festivals and the exhibitions.

What you must not miss in Dunkerque

On the last weekend in October an event for lovers of fine flavours is taking place, the wine and beer exhibition, and you are invited to come and taste its range of taste sensations in a warm and convivial atmosphere!

Dunkerque is full of delights for lovers of fine food and a party atmosphere.

Dunkerque, once a small fishing port which became the 3rd most important port in France, steadfastly turned towards the sea, offers its specialities to the most curious among you, like the famous Dunkerque mussel, cooked in a home-made marinière sauce, succulent as far as the tourists are concerned, plump and tasty in the words of connoisseurs.

Traditionally, at the 'aubettes' (fishermens' huts which are very typical of the quayside area), on place de Minck, a stone's throw from the town centre, you will find seafood stalls.

Good to know! From July to December, the Dunkerque mussel is of 100% quality. The seaside restaurants all have mussels and chips (moules frites!) on their menus.

The town centre of Dunkerque, in the shadow of the Saint Eloi belfry, is bursting with boutiques, brasseries and small bars.

For those in the know, the 'rue de la soif' (the French name for a street that is full of bars) is a landmark for bons vivants.

Before taking off on an excursion take a climb up high; the belfry is open for visits every day (remember your camera, the view is well worth the detour). Everything you need to know about Saint Eloi belfry.

As far as the practicalities are concerned, shopping in Dunkerque is easy; over 4,500 car park spaces of which 1000 are free will make your stay enjoyable.

Take the opportunity to take a small souvenir home in your luggage. The belfry shop has lots of small gifts on offer. Pssst! Try out the area's perfume, a typically Dunkerque innovation (Balades iodées sur les Dunes de Flandre).

And you haven't finished there, every Wednesday and Saturday Dunkerque's town centre is taken over by the theatre of the local market.

The statue of Jean-Bart is almost pointing you in the direction of the very famous pâtisserie Vandewalle, where an unmissable taste sensation awaits you with the doigt de Jean-Bart (Jean-Bart's finger) - a treat is in store!

A stone's throw from the church of Saint Eloi, the La Ferme dairy offers tastings of local cheeses, a real treat!

For lovers of everything gastronomical, the Dunkerque Dunes de Flandre tourist information office offers discovery weekends throughout the year.

Enjoy the flavours!