Dunkirk combines maritime history with art, architecture and views of the city and harbour. This gives you a range of options for planning your trip: you can focus on collections and exhibitions, compare viewpoints or plan your stay around an event period.
Maritime history, art and a sustainable city
The Musée maritime et portuaire has almost 40,000 objects. They illustrate Dunkirk’s maritime heritage and the development of shipping, local boats and the related professions. The museum also invites you on a journey through almost four centuries of maritime history: the geographical range described stretches from Iceland to Cape Horn and along the coasts of Africa and Asia. As well as the objects, the broad maritime context is therefore a key focus.
The LAAC offers a different perspective on time and subject matter: its collection comprises more than 2,500 works of art from 1945 to 1980, presented in dialogue with contemporary art. Each year, a programme of exhibitions and events adds to this collection and aims to encourage interaction between the public and art. The sculpture garden is also part of the visitor experience and is open to everyone. The collection, programme and garden offer different points of interest, so you do not have to limit yourself to just one way of experiencing art.
At the Halle aux Sucres, a former port warehouse is now dedicated to a contemporary subject: the building serves as a resource and expertise centre for sustainable urban development. Exhibitions, workshops and conferences are held there throughout the year. During school holidays, guided group tours on various topics, including Operation Dynamo in Dunkirk, take place daily. If a tour or this topic is a deciding factor for your trip, check the specific dates and times in advance.
Harbour views and striking landmarks
For panoramic views, consider the Beffroi de Saint Eloi and the Phare du Risban. The belfry offers 360-degree views across Dunkirk, the harbour and the beach. It also houses a carillon with 50 bells. The Phare du Risban is a 63-metre-high cylindrical tower; its lantern can be reached via 276 steps. If you plan to climb it, you can take this specific number of steps into account when planning your day.
The two viewpoints partly share the same sights: the city and harbour. The belfry also offers views of the beach, while from the lighthouse you can see the Flemish plain. The lighthouse also offers an insight into maritime signalling: the ground floor of the former lighthouse keepers’ quarters houses exhibition rooms on this subject. This means you can combine the viewpoint with a visit focused on the history of signals.
Plan your dates and routes
Free shuttle buses connect Dunkirk city centre and railway station with the Halle aux Sucres site at MĂ´le 1. They run every ten minutes. Check the current timetable before travelling. The shuttle connection is particularly relevant when planning this visit; it does not indicate which accommodation would suit your other plans.
The events calendar may also influence your choice of travel dates. The Dunkirk Carnival lasts three months, with its highlight being the Mardi Gras week. If you would like to experience the Carnival, check the specific event dates for your preferred travel period.
Discover more destinations: Fourmies, Ferrière-la-Grande, Douai, Sars-Poteries, Hazebrouck, Petite-Forêt, Halluin, Bas-Lieu.
For the broader travel overview: Nord.
