Published: · Category: The Wine Calais Blog
Turn your May Bank Holiday into real savings:
✔️ Save £100–£200+ on wine
✔️ Get around 15% VAT back
✔️ Travel for FREE with a €300 pre-order
→ Claim your free ferry now
Two long weekends. Two golden opportunities to cross the Channel and come back with a boot full of outstanding French wine — at prices that would make any British wine lover smile. The UK May bank holidays 2026 fall on Monday 4 May (Early May Bank Holiday) and Monday 25 May (Spring Bank Holiday). That means two three-day weekends perfectly timed for a smart, rewarding short trip from the UK to Calais.
Whether you're planning a relaxed day trip or a weekend on the stunning Opal Coast, a stop at Calais Vins or Olivier Vins will turn your bank holiday into a genuinely savvy investment. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of it.
Why Calais is the Smartest May Bank Holiday Trip from the UK
Why this trip is a no-brainer
- Save £100+ vs UK prices
- Free ferry with €300 order
- Better wine, better selection
When most people think "bank holiday break", they imagine booking months in advance and paying peak-season prices. A Calais wine trip is the exception to every rule. It's close, it's quick, it's easy to plan — and it genuinely saves you money.
Unbeatable proximity
Calais is just 50 km from Dover. The ferry crossing with DFDS or P&O takes around 90 minutes; the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is just 35 minutes from Folkestone. You can leave home after breakfast and be sipping a tasting glass in our store before lunch. No airports, no queues, no stress.
15% off, automatically — the VAT refund advantage
Here is the headline saving that makes every Calais trip worthwhile. As a UK resident shopping in France and taking your goods back home, you are entitled to a VAT (TVA) refund of approximately 15% on all wine, spirits and alcohol purchased at Calais Vins and Olivier Vins. This is not a promotional discount — it is a permanent structural advantage that exists because you are leaving the EU with the goods.
In practice, this means that a case of wine priced at €100 in our stores costs you the equivalent of around £72–£75 once the VAT is reclaimed, compared to a comparable bottle bought in a UK supermarket where duty and VAT are baked into every price tag. On a well-chosen selection of French wines and Champagnes, the savings can easily reach £100–£200 per trip.
Find out how to claim the VAT back — step by step
The Exclusive Offer: Pre-Order €300 Online and Travel for Free
No luggage limits, no airport queues, no stress. Travel with your car and bring back everything you want — something simply impossible with flights.
We want your May bank holiday Calais trip to be as easy — and as rewarding — as possible. That's why we offer something unique: pre-order €300 or more online, and we'll cover the cost of your return day-trip ferry crossing.
How it works:
- Browse our selection and place your order online at wine-calais.co.uk before your travel date.
- Reach a minimum order of €300 (wine, spirits, Champagne, beer — all categories count).
- Your free return ferry day-trip offer is automatically unlocked.
- Travel to Calais on your bank holiday, collect your order in-store, and enjoy a bonus tasting while you're there.
- Come home with an extraordinary selection — and a crossing that cost you nothing.
Your order will be ready and waiting for you in-store — no rushing around, no searching for bottles. Just arrive, collect, taste, and head back to enjoy your haul over the coming weeks.
Pre-order now and claim your free day trip
How to Get to Calais from the UK
Ferry: Dover to Calais
Two operators run regular crossings — DFDS and P&O Ferries. Crossings take approximately 90 minutes and run multiple times per day, including early morning and late evening departures. On a bank holiday, it is advisable to book in advance and choose an off-peak crossing time (early morning or mid-afternoon) to avoid queues.
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Depart from Folkestone and arrive in Coquelles (Calais) in just 35 minutes. Eurotunnel offers frequent departures and the flexibility to turn up and go (though pre-booking is recommended on bank holiday weekends). The terminal is just 10 minutes' drive from our stores.
Travel time summary
- Dover → Port of Calais (ferry): ~90 min crossing + 15 min drive to store
- Folkestone → Coquelles (Eurotunnel): 35 min + 10 min drive to store
- From London: approx. 1h30–2h total door-to-door
How Much Can You Really Save on a Calais Wine Trip?
Browse wines & calculate your savings →
Let's put concrete numbers on it. The gap between UK retail wine prices and French prices (after VAT refund) is significant — and it widens considerably as you move up in quality.
Same wine. Same quality. Massive price difference.
| Product | Typical UK price | Calais Vins price (after VAT refund) | Saving per bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Côtes du Rhône Rouge | £10–£12 | ~£7–£8 | ~£3–£4 |
| Bordeaux Saint-Émilion | £18–£25 | ~£13–£18 | ~£5–£8 |
| Champagne Brut (branded) | £35–£45 | ~£24–£32 | ~£10–£13 |
| Single Malt Whisky | £45–£80 | ~£32–£56 | ~£12–£25 |
You can explore the real Champagne price differences between the UK and France to understand how significant the savings can be.
On a typical mixed selection of 24 bottles (wine + Champagne), the VAT saving alone regularly amounts to £80–£150. Add in the free return ferry for orders over €300 and the trip essentially pays for itself — before you've even opened the first bottle.
“We saved over £130 on our first trip — and came back the next month.” – Customers from Kent
Perfect 1-Day May Bank Holiday Itinerary: Dover to Calais and Back
A day trip to Calais is one of the most satisfying and uncomplicated excursions you can make from the UK. Here is a tried-and-tested plan for a perfect bank holiday day trip. For a more detailed Calais day trip itinerary, you can explore our complete guide to a perfect day trip in Calais.
Morning: Early crossing
Take a 7am or 8am ferry or Eurotunnel. You'll arrive in Calais by 9:30–10am local time (France is one hour ahead of the UK). Calais Vins and Olivier Vins are open 7 days a week, so you can head straight to the stores as soon as you arrive.
Mid-morning: Shopping and tasting
If you've pre-ordered, your selection is already packaged and waiting. Take the time to explore the rest of the range, chat with our expert team, and enjoy a free tasting. Our stores carry over 4,000 references — wines from every French region, Champagne from great houses and independent growers, world-class spirits, and Belgian and Northern French beers.
Lunchtime: A taste of Northern France
Calais and its immediate surroundings offer excellent seafood restaurants and traditional French brasseries. Treat yourself to moules-frites or a plateau de fruits de mer — a true seaside luxury just a short walk from the port.
Afternoon: Optional Opal Coast exploration
With a few hours to spare before your return crossing, drive south along the coast to Cap Blanc-Nez — one of the most dramatic clifftop walks in Northern France, with sweeping views back towards the white cliffs of Dover. In clear conditions, you can see England from the top. It takes about 20 minutes from Calais and the walk itself is an easy hour.
Evening: Return crossing
Take a 5pm or 6pm return crossing and be home for a relaxed evening — with an exceptional cellar to enjoy for weeks to come.
Make It a 2-Day May Bank Holiday Break: Calais & the Opal Coast
The Spring Bank Holiday weekend (24–25 May) is particularly well-suited to an overnight stay. The Opal Coast (Côte d'Opale) stretches south from Calais through Boulogne-sur-Mer to Le Touquet, offering some of the most beautiful and underrated coastal scenery in France.
Day 1: Wine shopping + Boulogne-sur-Mer
Arrive on Saturday, stock up at Calais Vins or Olivier Vins, then drive 30 minutes south to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Explore the medieval Haute-Ville, visit the extraordinary Nausicaá aquarium (Europe's largest sea life centre), and dine in the old town — excellent fish restaurants, a warm atmosphere, and half-timbered streets that feel a world away from home.
Day 2: Cap Gris-Nez, Cap Blanc-Nez & return
On Sunday morning, walk the clifftop trail between Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez — one of France's great coastal walks. The views of the Channel are extraordinary on a clear May morning, and the wildflowers in late spring make the path feel genuinely special. Return to Calais for a final tasting, then cross back to the UK refreshed and well-stocked.
What to Buy: Best Wines and Spirits to Bring Back from Calais
With over 4,000 references in store, the choice can feel overwhelming. Here are our expert recommendations for your May bank holiday selection.
Wines
- Bordeaux reds (Saint-Émilion, Pauillac, Margaux) — the savings here are most pronounced at the £20–£40 equivalent price point, where French pricing dramatically undercuts the UK market.
- Burgundy whites (Chablis, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet) — superb quality-to-price ratio, particularly from independent domaines.
- Rhône Valley reds (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte Rôtie) — exceptional depth and ageing potential, often £10–£15 cheaper per bottle than UK equivalent.
- Provence rosé — perfect for the summer ahead; stock up now while selection is at its best.
Champagne
Champagne is one of the single best value purchases you can make at Calais Vins. Grande Marque bottles (Bollinger, Taittinger, Roederer, Gosset) are consistently 20–30% cheaper than UK retail prices, and our range of grower Champagnes offers extraordinary quality at accessible prices.
Spirits
Our whisky cellar runs to over 700 references — Islay, Speyside, Highland, Japanese, Irish and beyond. Cognac, Armagnac, and aged rum are similarly compelling buys, with French duty substantially lower than UK rates.
UK Customs Rules for Alcohol: What You Can Bring Back from France
Since Brexit, UK travellers returning from France are subject to UK customs limits on alcohol brought back for personal use. The current guidelines (as of 2026) are:
- Wine: 18 litres (equivalent to 24 standard 75cl bottles)
- Beer: 42 litres
- Spirits (over 22% ABV): 4 litres
- Fortified wine / sparkling wine: 9 litres
These are guidelines for personal use; HMRC may ask questions if quantities appear commercial. For most couples or families on a bank holiday trip, 24 bottles of wine plus a few spirits sits comfortably within personal use limits.
? Always check the latest guidance at gov.uk — duty-free goods before you travel.
Why Choose Calais Vins and Olivier Vins?
Both stores have been serving British wine lovers from Calais since 1997. What sets us apart:
- Over 4,000 references — from everyday French table wine to Grand Cru Bordeaux and rare Armagnac vintages
- Expert, bilingual staff — always on hand for recommendations, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned collector
- Free tastings in store — try before you buy, every day
- Open 7 days a week — no need to plan around opening hours
- Pre-order and Click & Collect — your order ready on arrival
- VAT refund for UK visitors — approximately 15% back on every purchase
- Free return ferry day trip when you pre-order €300+
? Calais Vins: +33 (0)3 21 36 40 40
? Olivier Vins: +33 (0)3 21 85 29 39
Beyond Wine: Top Things to Do Around Calais for the May Bank Holidays
Calais is the gateway to one of France's most spectacular and underrated regions. Discover more ideas for what to do around Calais after your wine shopping. Here are our favourite stops for a longer bank holiday break.
Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez
The two great promontories of the Opal Coast offer clifftop trails with dramatic views across the English Channel. In May, the cliffs are carpeted with wildflowers and the light is extraordinary. Both are easily reached from Calais within 30 minutes by car.
Boulogne-sur-Mer
France's most important fishing port is also one of the most charming towns on the Channel coast. The medieval Haute-Ville, the impressive Nausicaá sea life centre, and a lively fish market make it an ideal half-day excursion.
Wissant and the beaches
The wide sandy beaches between Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez offer wild, unspoilt swimming and kite-surfing in the Channel breeze. In late May, the sea is still brisk but the beaches are beautiful and rarely crowded.
The Boulonnais countryside
Drive inland from Calais into the rolling hills of the Boulonnais: a landscape of hedgerows, Norman-style farmhouses and small villages producing excellent local cheeses (Maroilles, Vieux Boulogne) that pair wonderfully with your wine purchases.
Lille (for the Spring Bank Holiday)
If you're making a two-day trip for the 25 May bank holiday, Lille is just 100km from Calais and offers world-class art (Palais des Beaux-Arts), extraordinary architecture in the Vieux-Lille district, and some of the finest Belgian-influenced cuisine in France.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I go for the May bank holiday from the UK?
Calais and the Opal Coast offer the best combination of accessibility, value and experience for a UK bank holiday break. You can travel there and back in a single day, save significantly on wine and spirits, and still have time to explore beautiful coastal scenery — all without a passport queue or a long drive.
Is a day trip to Calais worth it for wine?
Absolutely. Even a modest order of 12–15 bottles will deliver savings of £50–£80 over UK retail prices, once the VAT refund is applied. If you pre-order €300+ online, the free return ferry crossing means the trip is essentially cost-neutral — or even profitable.
Is wine cheaper in France than in the UK?
Yes — for two reasons. First, French duty on wine is lower than UK duty. Second, as a UK resident taking goods out of the EU, you can reclaim the French VAT (approximately 15%), which UK buyers cannot do when shopping domestically. The saving is most significant on mid-range and premium bottles.
How much wine can I bring back from France to the UK?
HMRC guidelines allow up to 18 litres of still wine (24 x 75cl bottles) and 9 litres of sparkling wine for personal use, along with 4 litres of spirits over 22% ABV. Always check the current guidance at gov.uk.
Do I need to book in advance for the May bank holiday ferry?
We strongly recommend booking your crossing in advance, particularly for the Early May Bank Holiday (4 May) and the Spring Bank Holiday (25 May). Both are busy travel weekends. Similarly, pre-ordering your wine online ensures everything is ready on arrival and activates your free return crossing offer.
Are Calais Vins and Olivier Vins open on bank holidays?
Yes. Both stores are open 7 days a week, including French public holidays. The May bank holidays (4 and 25 May) are UK holidays, not French ones, so there is no disruption to opening hours.
Plan Your May Bank Holiday Calais Wine Trip Now
Ready to turn your Bank Holiday into savings?