BACO British Association
Côte d'Opale
Our Mission
Formed just after the Referendum in 2016 which led to the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, BACO’s mission was and remains to inform and advise Britons living in the Côte d’Opale area of France and their French friends on the consequences of Brexit and how to survive in the new situation. We also hold events designed to socialise in an Anglo-French way, entertain each another and be entertained, and learn more about the region where we live. Our appeal is to anyone with a real interest in local and cross-channel life and culture.
BACO is registered in Calais as a socio-cultural association. At the request of our members we remain strictly non-political. Our membership is roughly 50:50 British-French, though friends from other European countries are welcome.
What we do
- Information and advice on cross-channel issues post-Brexit
- Regular newsletters and bulletins
- Concerts and other musical events
- Walks and guided tours of historical, cultural and other sites of interest
- Annual Aummer Barbecue or Picnic
- Monthly English Book Club in Calais
- Anglo-French Quizzes
British in France
BACO is a member of the British Community Committee (BCC)
(www.britishinfrance.com) which is the third leg of the tripod which forms the British presence in France along with the British Embassy and the Consular service. The BCC groups together about 120 leading clubs, associations, professional institutions, educational establishments and others with British interests in France. All member organisations are listed ini the annual Directory, which is available on-line. We are represented at the Quarterly meetings of the BCC and at the Annual General Meeting which usually takes place in April at the Ambassador’s Residence. This link gives BACO privileged access to information and developments affecting British citizens living in France as a whole.
Upcoming events
Our English Book Club meets at the Médiathèque Louis Aragon, 16 rue du Pont Lottin in Calais, usually on the last Saturday in each month, from 2 to 4 pm. Check updates on BACO’s Facebook page. All are welcome. No charge.
The book chosen for our Deember meeting on Saturday 2/11 is "After You'd Gone" by Maggie O'Farrell. See our Facebook page for more details.
Our conference at the
Château d’Hardelot le 13 septembre 2025 à 14h30.
on modern re-imaginings of Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations"
was a great success, ably presented by Isabelle Roblin, BACO member and honorary professor of modern English literature at the Boulogne-sur-Mer campus of ULCO - Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale. The next conference, also on a literary theme of Anglo.French interest, will be announced shortly.
CHRISTMAS QUIZ
BACO’s next event will be
held in Calais and is a Quiz. What is a Quiz? A series of questions
and answers, to pit your wits against our devious (or deviant)
Quizmaster. Subjects will include "True or false", Numbers, Foods, France, Sport, and others.
What
better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in December! You will change
partners. There will be a half-time interval, and at the end A
WINNER!!!
Le
prochain événement organisé par BACO aura lieu à Calais et
prendra la forme d'un quiz. Qu'est-ce qu'un quiz ? Une série de
questions-réponses qui vous permettra de mesurer votre intelligence
à celle de notre quizmaster rusé (voire déviant). Les thèmes
abordés comprendront "Vrai ou Faux", les aliments, la France, les sports, et bien
d'autres encore.
Quelle meilleure façon de passer un dimanche
après-midi en décembre ! Vous changerez de partenaires. Il y aura
une pause à la mi-temps, et à la fin, un GAGNANT!!!
Date:
Sunday 14th December
Time:
14.30 to 17.00 (2.30 to 5.00 pm)
Where:
Salle Pampelonne, Café O'St. Trop, 1 rue de la Mer, 62100 Calais
Cost:
No Charge, but the bar will be open and the management
will be delighted if you make use of it - in moderation of course
So SAVE THE DATE. The event is for British, French, and anyone
else.
We
must know you are coming, and if you are bringing a partner (husband,
wife, friend, dog (no, perhaps not)). So please send a confirming
email to assobaco@gmail.com
as soon as possible.
See you on the 14th!
Date
: dimanche 14 décembre
Heure : de 14 h 30 à 17 h
Lieu :
Salle Pampelonne, Café O'St. Trop, 1 rue de la Mer, 62100
Calais
Coût : Gratuit, mais le bar sera ouvert et la direction
sera ravie que vous en profitiez, avec modération bien sûr.
Alors,
RÉSERVEZ LA DATE. L'événement est ouvert aux Britanniques, aux
Français et à tous les autres.
Nous devons savoir si
vous venez et si vous venez accompagné (mari, femme, ami, chien
(non, peut-être pas)). Veuillez donc envoyer un e-mail de
confirmation à assobaco@gmail.com dès que possible. Rendez-vous le 14 !
Some past events
Join Us
Membership information
Annual membership costs only 10 € (15€ for a couple or family) and runs from 1st September to 31st August. Just fill in the form opposite and email it back to us at assobaco@gmail.com and we'll get back to you.
