What to do in Dunkirk?

The Citadelle is a quiet, leafy residential neighbourhood built around an ancient star-shaped fortress designed by Vauban in the 17th century. This is where our apartments are located.

The area offers a peaceful setting, ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. The marina is a short walk away, as are the main tram stops connecting you to the town centre.

Nearby: the Parc de la Marine — perfect for a morning stroll — plus several restaurants and grocery stores for everyday essentials.

Dunkirk boasts over 6 kilometres of fine sandy beaches, centred on the seaside district of Malo-les-Bains, reachable by tram from the Citadelle in around 20 minutes.

Malo beach is a vast stretch of white sand flanked by a long promenade. In summer it's perfect for swimming, sand yachting (a regional speciality) and strolls by the sea.

Just behind the beach, the rue de Leughenaer is lined with restaurants, ice cream parlours and bars with sea views.

If you're visiting between January and March, the Carnival is unmissable. It stands out for its bands — long processions of thousands of costumed revellers marching through the town centre streets to the sound of brass bands.

The highlight is the herring throw from the town hall balcony: an ancient tradition where the mayor and councillors toss herrings into the jubilant crowd — a symbol of the city's fishing heritage.

Even outside carnival season, you can soak up the culture by visiting the Carnival Museum in the historic town centre.

The Dunkirk Museum of Fine Arts holds a remarkable collection of Flemish paintings and decorative arts, including works by Rubens and Van Dyck.

The DYNAMO Memorial (Dunkirk 1940) retraces the British Army's evacuation operation in June 1940 — one of the most dramatic episodes of the Second World War. A deeply moving place of remembrance.

The Tour du Leughenaer and the Saint-Éloi belfry dominate the town centre and offer panoramic views over the rooftops and canals.

Dunkirk's cuisine is rooted in the Flemish tradition. Highlights include carbonnade flamande (beef braised in beer), potjevleesch (cold meat terrine in jelly) and waterzooi (a hearty stew of vegetables with meat or fish).

Mussels and chips are of course everywhere, as are local waffles and homemade speculoos biscuits. Smoked herring — the carnival's symbol — is also enjoyed year-round.

For a coffee break, the Grand-Place in the town centre is lined with Flemish-style brasseries and cafés, perfect for watching the world go by.

Dunkirk has a modern tram network and a bus network (DK'Bus). From the Citadelle, the tram takes 10–20 minutes to reach the town centre, the train station or Malo-les-Bains beach.

Cycling is a great way to explore the city: Dunkirk is flat and has extensive cycle paths. Self-service bikes (VélO2) are widely available.

By car, free parking is available near the Citadelle. For the Carnival, it's best to arrive by train (the station is a 15-minute walk from the Citadelle) — the town centre is completely blocked on band days.