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 in 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
We took part in the 2026 Twin Fair (Calais-Dover) at the Forum Gambetta in Calais on Saturday February 28th and Sunday March 1st. Our stand had many visitors, we raised our profile and gained new members.
The BACO English Book Club continues to meet monthly at the Médiathèque Louis Aragon, 16 rue du Pont Lottin, usually on the last Saturday in the month, from 14.00 - 16.00. Titles for the next few months are:
28 March Alice Renard, Linda Calvey 'The Locksmith'
25 April Dominic Ffitch, William Golding 'Lord of the Flies'
20th May Michael Spriggs, Ernest Hemingway ' A Farwell to Arms'
Saturday 27th June George Murray, Sebastian Faulks "On Green Dolphin Street'
27th July Tom Treasure, Charles Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge"
29th August George Murray , Julian Barnes' "The Noise of Time"
26th September, Michael Spriggs, Anne Borsboom "Otto"
There are other BACO events coming up, including a conference on George Du Maurier (Paris-born author, engraver and cartoonist, and grandfather of the English novelist Daphne Du Maurier), with a showing at the Alhambra Cinema in Calais of "Peter Ibbetson" (1935) based on Du Maurier's novel of that name. This event is at the Albambra on Friday 20th March from 18,00 to 20.30.
Continuing our series of conferences, on Tuesdy 28th April we will meet at the Manoir Hotel in Le Touquet, to hear Caroline-Christa Bernard on Louise de Bettignies, a member of her own family. Louise spied for the allies in World War One, and was imprisoned in Germany. The English called her "The Queen of Spies".
This meeting will be in the bar at the Manoir, from 15,00 to 17.00 and is free of charge, except for drinks at the bar.
There is plenty more to come later in the yeaer - including BACO's 10th year birthday party!!
As ever, BACO is proud to be associated with a continuation of the top-flight classical concerts organised and conducted by our musical director Ian Ward.
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.
