Berck Kite Festival 2026: The Ultimate Day Trip from the UK — and How to Save Big on Wine in Calais
Picture this. You step off the ferry or roll out of the Eurotunnel and point your car south along the Opal Coast. The sea glitters on your right. And then, as you pull into Berck-sur-Mer, you look up — and the sky is alive.
Giant whales sail overhead. Dragons twist in the wind. A two-hundred-metre sky fresco unfurls above thousands of upturned faces. Fireworks burst over the beach as the sun goes down.
This is the Berck International Kite Meeting 2026 — the Rencontres Internationales de Cerfs-Volants — and it is, quite simply, one of the most breathtaking free events in Europe.
Now here is the really clever part: on your way home, you are driving straight past Calais. And in Calais, you can stock up on exceptional French wine at prices that will make you wish you had brought a bigger car. Whether you're a dedicated wine buff or simply someone who loves a smart bargain, thousands of UK visitors make this exact same trip every year — and most of them tell us they wish they had started sooner.
At Calais Vins and Olivier Vins, two of the finest wine stores on the Channel coast, the savings are real — and the selection is magnificent. One day, two unmissable experiences.
What Is the Berck International Kite Meeting?
Every April, the wide sandy beach of Berck-sur-Mer is transformed into the world capital of kite flying. The Rencontres Internationales de Cerfs-Volants has been taking place since 1988 and in 2026 it celebrates its 39th edition, running from 18 to 26 April 2026.
The festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year from across Europe and beyond. It is a genuine cultural event — part competition, part open-air spectacle, part family celebration.
What makes it so extraordinary is the scale. These are not the sort of kites you remember from childhood holidays. We are talking about enormous, painstakingly crafted sculptures in the sky: octopuses with tentacles twenty metres long, snaking dragons, giant jellyfish, fantastical creatures that bob and drift above the waves with an almost hypnotic grace.
And because the beach at Berck is one of the longest and flattest on the Channel coast, the wind conditions are ideal — which is exactly why kite artists and competitors from all over the world return here year after year.
Festival Highlights You Absolutely Should Not Miss
The World Kite Cup
International teams compete in precision flying, ballet and freestyle categories. The skill on display is extraordinary — pilots manoeuvre their kites in perfect choreographed formations to music, with a precision that has to be seen to be believed. It is the professional Grand Prix of the kite world, and it happens right here on this beach, completely free of charge.
XXL Kites: The Giants of the Sky
The truly giant kites are the undisputed stars of the show. Look up and you might find yourself face to face with a whale the size of a double-decker bus, or a manta ray gliding serenely across the horizon. These are hand-crafted artworks — months of work suspended above your head — and the photographic opportunities are simply sensational.
The Sky Fresco
A signature feature of the festival is the collective sky fresco: a coordinated display of hundreds of kites that together form a single vast image above the beach, stretching up to 300 metres across the sky. It is the kind of sight that stops conversations mid-sentence.
The Evening Light and Pyrotechnic Shows
As darkness falls, the festival transforms again. Illuminated kites glow against the night sky while fireworks burst and cascade overhead. It is spectacular in the truest sense of the word — a show that lingers in the memory long after you have driven home.
Getting There from the UK: Easier Than You Think
One of the great pleasures of this trip is how straightforward it is to organise. You do not need to plan a full holiday or book a hotel. This is a genuine, accessible day trip from the south of England.
- By ferry: Cross from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries or DFDS — crossings take around 90 minutes and run throughout the day.
- By Eurotunnel: The Le Shuttle service takes just 35 minutes from Folkestone to Coquelles, near Calais — fast, simple and convenient for cars loaded with wine on the return journey.
- From Calais to Berck: Follow the A16 motorway south along the coast. It is approximately 80 kilometres — around 30 to 45 minutes in normal traffic.
The driving is easy, the roads are well signposted, and the coastal scenery along the way is genuinely beautiful. The Opal Coast — the Côte d'Opale — is one of those quietly magnificent stretches of French landscape that somehow feels like a secret, despite being less than two hours from London.
And here's something worth knowing before you book: if you spend €300 at Calais Vins online, we'll cover your P&O return crossing. Your ferry, on us. It makes the whole day essentially free — and gives you every reason to leave a little room in the boot.
The Smartest Stop on the Way Home: Calais Vins and Olivier Vins
This is where savvy UK travellers make their day trip really count.
On the return leg, before you board your ferry or pull into the Eurotunnel terminal, there is one stop that transforms a wonderful day out into something genuinely brilliant. Welcome to Calais Vins and Olivier Vins — two exceptional wine destinations conveniently located close to the port, with easy parking and an extraordinary selection.
Both stores are well known to experienced cross-Channel travellers, but for those making the trip for the first time, the experience can come as quite a revelation. The choice is vast — thousands of references spanning the whole of France — and the prices are a world away from what you would pay back home.
Why Are Wines So Much Cheaper in Calais?
It comes down to taxation. Wine in the UK carries significant duty and VAT. In France, and particularly at specialist wine stores designed for export, the prices reflect French tax levels — which are considerably lower. When you add the potential for a VAT refund as a UK traveller, the difference becomes even more striking.
At Calais Vins and Olivier Vins, you will routinely find wines priced 30% to 50% below equivalent UK retail prices. On champagne, the savings are often particularly notable — bottles that retail for £40 to £50 in the UK can be found for £25 to £30 here. For a detailed breakdown of how these savings compare across popular brands, you can explore typical UK vs Calais wine price differences .
How Much Can You Really Save?
Let us make this tangible. Say you fill a modest estate car with three cases of mixed wine and a few bottles of champagne. That is roughly 40 bottles. At an average saving of £6 per bottle — which is a conservative estimate — you are looking at £240 back in your pocket compared to buying the same wines in the UK.
The Thinking Drinkers — Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, reviewing for The Sun — put it plainly after their visit: “These aren't wines you'll find in British supermarkets, but the prices are around 40% cheaper than wines of equivalent quality in the UK.” They left with 36 bottles, got £59.78 back in VAT in under five minutes, and spent just £330. That’s the benchmark.
Many regular visitors report saving between £100 and £200 on a single trip, depending on what they buy. And they do it legally, within the duty-free allowances that apply to UK travellers purchasing goods for personal use.
Here is a simple illustration:
| Product | Typical UK Price | Calais Vins Price | Saving per Bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champagne (well-known brand) | ~£45 | ~£28–30 | ~£15–17 |
| Quality Bordeaux red | ~£18 | ~£11–13 | ~£5–7 |
| Côtes du Rhône | ~£12 | ~£7–9 | ~£3–5 |
| Muscadet / Loire white | ~£10 | ~£6–7 | ~£3–4 |
Prices are indicative and may vary. Always verify in store.
Spring is one of the busiest times of year for Channel crossings — and for good reason. Premium and limited-edition wines sell fast around festival season. If there's a case you've been meaning to try, this is the trip to do it.
What to Expect at Calais Vins and Olivier Vins
Both stores offer a warm, relaxed shopping experience — a far cry from the hurried, impersonal feel of supermarket wine aisles. The staff are knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about what they sell. Whether you are looking for an everyday table wine, a special bottle for a celebration, or a case of champagne for a wedding, you will find expert guidance and an honest recommendation.
The ranges cover all the major French regions — Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire, the Rhône, Alsace, Provence — as well as international wines and a fine selection of spirits and local specialities. Many visitors discover wines they had never tried before and return home as newly minted enthusiasts for a region or grape variety they had previously overlooked.
Parking is free and plentiful, both stores are easy to find close to the port, and the staff are accustomed to serving English-speaking customers. It is a genuinely pleasant experience — the kind of stop that makes you wish you had built in more time.
Serving UK visitors since 1997 — nearly 30 years of cross-Channel expertise. Rated 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, Calais Vins and Olivier Vins are some of the top-rated wine retailers on the Opal Coast. The team know exactly what British palates are looking for!
Practical Tips for Your Day Trip
- Arrive early in Berck. The festival is busiest from mid-morning onwards. Getting there before 10am means better parking, clearer views and a more relaxed atmosphere before the crowds build.
- Parking at the festival. There are more than 1,500 free parking spaces available, but they fill up quickly on peak days. Follow the official signage and allow a short walk to the beach.
- Dress for the coast. It is April on the English Channel — bring a windproof layer whatever the forecast. Wind is actually a good sign for kite flying.
- Plan your Calais stop. Calais Vins and Olivier Vins are open during normal retail hours. Allow at least 45 minutes to browse properly — you will want it.
- Know your allowances. UK travellers can bring back wine for personal use. HMRC guidance suggests up to 90 litres (120 bottles) as a reasonable personal quantity. Always check current rules before you travel.
- Book your crossing early. April is a busy time for cross-Channel travel. Book ferry or Eurotunnel tickets in advance to secure the best prices and departure times.
Your Perfect Day Trip: A Simple Itinerary
Here is how a well-planned day looks from start to finish:
- Early morning: Board an early ferry from Dover or take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Coquelles.
- Mid-morning: Arrive in Berck-sur-Mer. Find parking, walk to the beach, and let the sky astound you.
- Lunchtime: Enjoy lunch in one of Berck's seafront cafés or restaurants — fresh mussels and chips with a view of the kites? Absolutely.
- Afternoon: Return to the festival for the afternoon sessions, the World Kite Cup displays and the giant kite shows.
- Late afternoon: Drive back north along the A16 towards Calais — 45 minutes at most.
- Early evening: Visit Calais Vins and Olivier Vins. Browse, taste, and load the boot with exceptional wines at excellent prices.
- Evening: Cross back to the UK — ferry or Eurotunnel — with memories to last a year and enough wine to last considerably longer.
Final Thoughts: The Perfect Grape Escape
The Berck International Kite Meeting is already one of the most joyful, uplifting free events you will find anywhere in Europe in spring. It is the kind of day that reminds you how much wonder the world still contains — and how close that wonder can be.
Add a well-chosen stop at Calais Vins and Olivier Vins on the way home, and you have transformed a lovely outing into something genuinely smart: an experience that fills both your senses and your wine rack, at prices that make the crossing more than worthwhile.
It is not just a day trip. It is a Grape Escape.
Book your crossing. Mark the dates — 18 to 26 April 2026. And leave a little room in the boot.
Imagine pulling into your driveway that evening. The boot is full. You've seen something extraordinary — kites the size of houses sailing over the Channel. And in the back of the car: a case of Bordeaux you couldn’t find at home, a couple of bottles of Champagne for the holidays, and enough rosé to last the summer.
Total spent: less than a weekend in a UK hotel. Total saved: probably over £100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Berck Kite Festival free to attend?
Yes, completely. The Berck International Kite Meeting is entirely free of charge. There is no entrance fee to watch the kites, the World Kite Cup or the evening pyrotechnic and light shows on the beach. It is one of Europe's great free events.
When does the Berck Kite Festival 2026 take place?
The 39th edition of the Rencontres Internationales de Cerfs-Volants takes place from 18 to 26 April 2026 on the beach at Berck-sur-Mer, Hauts-de-France, on the Opal Coast of northern France.
How far is Berck-sur-Mer from Calais?
Berck-sur-Mer is around 80 kilometres from Calais — approximately 30 to 45 minutes by car via the A16 motorway. The route follows the beautiful Opal Coast and is easy to drive. The two destinations combine perfectly in a single day trip.
How much wine can I bring back to the UK from France?
UK travellers can bring back wine for personal use. HMRC suggests up to 90 litres (approximately 120 standard bottles) as a reasonable guideline for personal use without paying UK duty. You should always check the latest HMRC guidance before you travel, as rules may change.
How much can I save on wine at Calais Vins?
Savings vary by product, but many wines at Calais Vins and Olivier Vins are 30% to 50% cheaper than equivalent bottles in UK supermarkets or wine merchants. On champagne in particular, savings can reach £15 or more per bottle. A typical car-load of wine can easily generate total savings of £100 to £200 compared to UK retail prices.
Is there parking at the Berck Kite Festival?
Yes. The festival provides more than 1,500 free parking spaces. On peak days they fill quickly, so arriving early — before 10am — is strongly recommended. There is a short walk from the car parks to the beach.
Do I need to book in advance to visit Calais Vins?
No booking is required to shop at Calais Vins or Olivier Vins. Both stores are open to visitors during normal retail hours. However, we do recommend booking your ferry or Eurotunnel crossing well in advance, particularly for the April festival period, as Channel crossings are busy in spring.