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Religious building

The Notre-Dame des Dunes Chapel

Dunkerque, Opal Coast

About this place

Commonly known as the “little chapel,” it was built in 1815 on the site of a 15th-century oratory, in honor of a miraculous Virgin Mary whose wooden statuette had been found near a freshwater spring during the construction of Dunkirk’s ramparts.

A rare testament to Dunkirk’s origins, the chapel later became a place of worship and devotion for seafarers, particularly fishermen. After undergoing numerous expansions and renovations, the chapel today consists of a main nave with two wings running perpendicular to it, as well as a magnificent vaulted ceiling well known for its constellation of stars.

Today, every August 15, the Blessing of the Sea ceremony takes place. During this ceremony, the statue is carried in procession by the Bazennes (the wives of fishing boat captains).

Inside the chapel are numerous ex-votos and model boats suspended from the ceiling, in gratitude for the Virgin’s protection.
In addition, a fountain was dedicated in 2004, symbolizing the freshwater spring that was miraculously discovered at the time.

What to do nearby?

Upcoming events in Dunkerque.

Culture 1 August → 30 September

Traditional Shipbuilding on the Opal Coast

Dunkerque

Traditional shipbuilding from the Opal Coast awaits you in Dunkirk on August 1, 2026. This exhibition immerses you in the world of traditional boatbuilding along our coastline, particularly the flobart and the dundee. You’ll discover the different stages of building a boat, from design to launch. The exhibition offers you the opportunity to explore the skills and techniques used by boatbuilders on the Opal Coast. This will give you a deeper understanding of our region’s history and culture. This cultural event is a unique experience not to be missed by enthusiasts of maritime history and local heritage.
Culture 1 August → 30 September

Shipyards: A Photographic Archive of Dunkirk's Industrial History

Dunkerque

Shipyards are an important part of the past and present of the Port of Dunkirk. The exhibition “Shipyards: Photographic Archives of Dunkirk’s Industrial History” brings together photographs from the museum’s collections and highlights several major shipyards: Ziegler, Ateliers et Chantiers de France, and Béliard & Crighton. The exhibition continues with contemporary photographs taken during the restoration of the three-masted ship Duchesse Anne at the Damen shipyard.
category.Découverte 6 August

Walking Tour of the Port

Dunkerque

Walking Tour of the Port On August 6, 2026, explore the port of Dunkirk on foot with this 2.5-hour guided tour. The 6.3-kilometer route takes you through the East Port, offering impressive views of port activity. You’ll pass close by the Trystram and Watier locks, walk alongside the Risban Lighthouse, and pass in front of the Damen floating dock. This walking tour will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the Port of Dunkirk. Admission fee applies; reservations required.

Other places to discover

Religious building

Calvary

Saint-Aubin

A covered wayside shrine made of brick, featuring a small gate with blue wrought-ironwork. It is set within a small enclosure containing two other shrines and a tree. A remarkable tree stands opposite it, marking the crossroads.
Religious building

The Carillon of the Bourbourg Church

Bourbourg

Featuring 50 bells, the instrument plays automatically or when struck by the carillonneur. Today, it is one of the most beautiful carillons in France.
Religious building

Notre-Dame des Flots Chapel

Gravelines

The chapel stands proudly amid the dunes of Petit-Fort-Philippe. Built in the 18th century and destroyed in 1789, it was rebuilt on the seashore in 1829. The 18th-century statue of the Virgin Mary is brought out onto the forecourt—an exceptional occurrence—for a Mass in memory of those lost at sea and for the Icelanders every September.
Religious building

St. Joseph Chapel

Saint-Aubin

A square-plan chapel built of brick and blue stone (base and facade).
Religious building

St. Paul's Abbey

Wisques

Located in the small village of Wisques, 7 kilometers from Saint-Omer, Saint-Paul Abbey offers a fascinating tour, both historically and architecturally. The abbey, also known as “the great castle,” was built on the site of the former Wisques Castle, which was constructed after the Hundred Years’ War. All that remains from that period is the keep, crowned by two turrets and four towers (late 15th century), a small courtyard to the west, and the large Saint-Bertin Tower (early 15th century). The building was later expanded in the 18th century with a residence and a porch that are quite characteristic of the region. The Benedictine brotherhood settled there in the 19th century. In 1930, a series of modern elements were added. The “poet of brick,” Dom Bello, a Dutch architect heavily influenced by the Amsterdam School, added a cloister and a refectory with elegant proportions, making subtle use of the building materials. Joseph Philippe completed the complex with a chapel (in 1957) and then a guesthouse (in 1968). Originally intended to be a monastic library, Joseph Philippe’s chapel is remarkable for its choir, which features a magnificent brick drapery. In addition to guided tours, visitors can admire the ceramics crafted by the monks and sold in the shop located near the pottery workshop. Finally, visitors can attend Masses sung in the Gregorian chant tradition.
Religious building

Notre-Dame Church

Calais

Having survived bombings and several construction projects, Calais’s oldest building now stands on Rue de Croy. When construction began in the 13th century, Adrien de Wissant had the church built on the site of the current transept. Extensive expansion projects were then undertaken through the 16th century, and it was during the English occupation that the upper sections of the nave, the choir, and the bell tower were built. Built in the Tudor style, this church drew on its British influences to reach its final form in the 17th century; a chapel and a Baroque altarpiece were added at that time. A testament to medieval architecture, the Church of Notre-Dame de Calais also features a massive tower supporting the bell tower at the intersection of the transept and the nave. As you head toward the north side of the nave, you’ll notice a cistern with a capacity of 1,800 m³ that was used to collect rainwater; it was built by Vauban in 1691 to meet the population’s needs in the event of a siege. It was in this building that General de Gaulle and Yvonne Vendroux were married in 1921. Nothing could prevent the Allied bombings during World War II, which occurred one week before the city’s liberation; as a result, the bell tower collapsed onto the transept, and the altarpiece sustained severe damage. Since then, the church has undergone extensive restoration, which will allow visitors to appreciate the full originality of its architecture.

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