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're taking part in the 2026 Twin Fair (Calais-Dover) at the Forum Gambetta in Calais on Saturday February 28th and Sunday March 1st. Come along and learn lots more abaut BACO and maybe win a prize.
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 Feb Yvonne Guareschi, Richard Osman 'The Thursday Murder Club'
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'
There are many other BACO events coming up, including a visit to the Port of Calais,; a visit to see how chcolate is made (and taste some) at the Chocolaterie Beussent -Lachalle; a talk on George Du Maurier (Paris-born author, engraver and cartoonist, and grandfather of the English novelist Daphne Du Maurier), with a private film show; and more musical events to come!
BACO is proud to be associated with a continuation of the top-flight classical concerts organised and conducted by our musical director Ian Ward.
On March 8th at 18.30, to mark the 300th anniversary of the death of the French baroque composer Michel-Richard Delalanade, Ian will conduct his Ensemble H.3 in Delalande's "De Profundis" plus works by Telemann and Bach. The concert will be in the rebuilt church at Saint-Paul-sur-Ternoise with its superb acoustics.
More information and ticket reservations on 03 21 41 79 43 or ward.ian@orange.fr
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.
