Calais shopping guide : top places to shop & claim your VAT back

Where to shop in Calais : your shopping & VAT refund guide

Looking for a great shopping experience just a short hop from the UK ?
Calais might surprise you. This lively ferry town is also a retail paradise for British visitors.

With French boutiques, outlets, wine shops and gourmet stores, Calais has everything you need for a serious shopping trip.

And even better ? With Zapptax, you can now get up to 90% VAT back on your purchases, no paperwork, no fuss.

Let’s discover the best shops in Calais and how to claim back your VAT easily.

And before heading back to the UK, don’t miss our guide to Calais duty-free shops for last-minute bargains.

Key points

• In Calais, you will find local boutiques, gourmet food, wine shops and outlet shopping just minutes from the UK.
• Top addresses include Rue Royale, Cité Europe, Calais Vins, Calais Wine Superstore and Le Point Gourmand, all VAT refundable.
• With Zapptax, UK visitors can claim up to 90% of VAT back on their purchases, just with an app.

Top shopping places in Calais

Rue Royale – The heart of Calais shopping

At the heart of Calais city centre lies Rue Royale, a vibrant street lined with independent boutiques, local designers, and red-brick charm. Perfect for strolling, browsing, and picking up unique items you won’t find back in the UK.

1. Calaisfornia

A local concept store mixing streetwear, skatewear, and Calais pride. Here you will find graphic tees, hoodies, and limited editions designed with a blend of French urban style and West Coast flair.

📍 45 Rue Royale, 62100 Calais

2. Sprint

A modern fashion boutique offering mid-range French and European clothing, footwear and accessories, including Serge Blanco. Great for finding smart casual pieces and seasonal collections.

📍 59 Rue Royale, Calais

3. La Jolie Tribu

A delightful lifestyle boutique showcasing handpicked fashion, home decor and accessories. You’ll find natural textiles, delicate jewellery, candles, kids’ items and original gift ideas. A lovely place for discovering pieces you didn’t know you needed.

📍 40 Rue Royale, 62100 Calais

Shopping centres & outlet stores

4. Cité Europe

One of the largest shopping centres in northern France. Located next to the Eurotunnel, it offers over 120 stores and restaurants, including :

• Fashion (Zara, H&M, Mango)
• French beauty (Sephora, Yves Rocher)
• Carrefour hypermarket
• Pharmacies with top skincare brands

📍 1001 Boulevard du Kent, Coquelles

5. Channel Outlet Store

An open-air outlet destination offering discounted premium brands in fashion, footwear and luggage. Less crowded than Cité Europe, the Channel Outlet store is perfect for finding bargains.

📍 Boulevard du Parc, Coquelles

Gourmet food & French delicacies

6. La Maison du Fromage et des Vins

This elegant épicerie fine is perfect for foodies and wine lovers. Specialized in regional cheeses (Brie de Meaux, Maroilles, Comté) and French wines, you’ll find :

• A selection of aged French cheeses
• Foie gras, confits, terrines
• Hand-picked regional wines

📍1 Rue d'André Gerschel, Calais

7. L’Atelier du Chocolat

An elegant boutique with handmade chocolates, seasonal collections, and artisan bars. Ideal for gifts or a sweet treat before the ferry.

📍 66 Rue Royale, Calais

8. Chocolaterie de Beussent-Lachelle

A beloved chocolatier producing small-batch, handmade chocolates in the Pas-de-Calais region. Expect ganaches, pralines, orangettes, and beautifully wrapped boxes ideal for gifting. A perfect stop for UK visitors looking for delicious, VAT-refundable gifts.

📍16 Rue du Commandant Mengin, Calais

9. Le Point Gourmand

This concept store is more than a shop, it is a full French lifestyle experience in one beautiful place. It combines everything foodies love :

• A fine grocery store featuring regional specialties
• A cheese counter with hand-selected products
• A tearoom & small restaurant
• Tableware and home accessories with authentic French touch

📍 105 Boulevard Lafayette, Calais

Wine shops

10. Calais Vins

With a focus on quality French wines, champagnes and spirits, Calais Vins is staffed by friendly, English-speaking experts who help you choose by taste and budget. Tastings available on site.

📍 28 Rue Gutenberg (A16 J44), Calais.

11. Calais Wine Superstore

Perfect for bulk buying, especially if you’re stocking up before heading back to the UK. Known for British-friendly deals and staff.

📍 249 Rue Marcel Doret, 62100 Calais

12. Pidou

Well-known among UK visitors, Pidou is perfect for large quantity purchases at competitive prices. Of course, they know the VAT drill, just mention Zapptax.

• Case deals on wines
• Premium gins and whiskies
• Chocolates and gourmet snacks

📍 594 Avenue Henri Ravisse, 62730 Marck (Transmarck zone, near A16)

Planning to stock up on wine ? Read our complete guide to wine shops in Calais to make sure you don’t miss the best deals.

How to claim your VAT refund with Zapptax ?

Thanks to Brexit, UK residents can now shop tax-free in France and claim back a refund on VAT paid, as long as you follow the right steps.

Zapptax makes the VAT refund process simple and entirely paperless.

1. Download the Zapptax app (iOS or Android) before your trip.

2. When you shop, ask each store for an invoice made out to Zapptax (you’ll find the details in the app).

3. Upload your invoices directly in the app. When your total purchases reach at least €100, you can generate a tax-free form.

4. Before leaving France, validate your tax-free form at Customs using the PABLO kiosk (available at the ferry terminal or Eurotunnel).

5. Once validated, you will receive your VAT refund directly to your bank account or PayPal.

Good to know :

• To qualify for a VAT refund, your total spend must reach at least €100 (including VAT) during your trip.
• The goods must leave the EU with you within 3 months of purchase.
• You may be asked to show your passport and goods at Customs.
• The Zapptax app works in all shops and cities in France — not just Calais!!

Craving French wine, cheese or artisan chocolate ? With Zapptax, you can enjoy all your favourite French treats and get a part of your money back, hassle-free.

Ready to enjoy your Calais shopping trip ?

Calais is full of great finds : local shops, gourmet treats, and wine at unbeatable prices.

With Zapptax, you get to enjoy it all and get part of your money back.

Hope you’ll enjoy shopping in Calais !

FAQ

1. Is Calais worth visiting for shopping ?

Absolutely. Calais offers an excellent mix of shopping variety and convenience for both locals and tourists, especially UK visitors. From local boutiques on Rue Royale to outlet shopping and wine shops, the city delivers French authenticity without the crowds or high prices of Paris.

2. What is the most famous shopping street in Calais ?

Rue Royale is undoubtedly the most iconic shopping street in Calais. It is home to local fashion boutiques, gourmet shops, chocolatiers, and concept stores. The architecture, atmosphere, and diversity of shops make it a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy authentic, small-town French shopping.

3. What is the largest shopping center in Hauts-de-France ?

One of the largest and most visited shopping centres in the region is Cité Europe, thanks to its size, range of stores, and strategic location near the UK border. Another major player is Euralille in Lille, but Cité Europe is by far the most practical and accessible.

4. Where can I validate my tax-free form in Calais ?

Before leaving France, your purchases need to be validated by French Customs, which confirms that you’re exporting the goods. The easiest way to do this is by scanning your digital tax-free form at a PABLO kiosk, available at both :

• The Eurotunnel terminal (Coquelles)
• The ferry terminal (Port of Calais)

This step takes just a few seconds and is essential to activate your VAT refund. If the PABLO terminal doesn’t work, Customs officers are nearby to help you.