View of the bas-relief of the labor exchange located in Place Crèvecoeur in Calais, in art deco style.

The Spring of Art Deco returns to Calais XXL

THEArt Déco is 100 years old! This movement imposed its geometric lines and refined patterns after the First World War. It is also a way of life illustrating The Roaring Twenties. Coming out of the horror of 1914-1918, the years 1920 will celebrate the modernity, speed, new musical sounds such as the jazz. The 8th edition of the Printemps de l'Art Déco in Hauts de France will celebrate this centenary from April 4 to June 1, 2025.

On the program of the 8th edition of the Printemps de l’Art Déco

2025 is the year of Art Deco Centenary, in reference to the International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925. In Calais, 2025 marks the Centenary of the Town Hall and its belfry. Its interior decoration was carried out during the period Art Déco and the building is therefore full of gems of this style, including the glass roof and the numerous artistic ironworks. Events are planned for April 2025 and will be one of the highlights of the Art Deco Spring in the Hauts de France.

Five guided tours for all tastes

Architecture enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore the Art Deco gems of Calais thanks to a rich program of guided tours offered by the Calais XXL Tourist Office:

Walking : Explore the Saint-Pierre district and its elegant facades or let yourself be surprised by the hidden treasures around Place Crèvecœur.
By bike : A unique walk will take you from the southern cemetery to the Nation district, revealing lesser-known but equally fascinating buildings.

In the churches : Discover the stained glass windows and Art Deco elements of the Saint-Joseph and Sainte-Germaine churches, true jewels of local heritage.

Online Ticketing

A view of the iconic facades of Calais, mixing Art Deco architecture and traditional styles, under a blue sky.

Free visits for exploration at your own pace

For those who prefer to wander around independently, several emblematic sites will be freely accessible:

Calais City Hall

From April 4 to June 1 — Its ceremonial rooms, its wrought ironwork by Adalbert Szabo and its exceptional glass roof are a vibrant testimony to the Art Deco style. Adalbert Szabo draws inspiration from his native country, particularly with birds, stylized ears of wheat, ivy, elements of the vine, hearts of enclosed leaves and motifs of volutes forged in copper, bronze and steel...

Art Deco comes to churches

Saturdays April 5 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 16 p.m. — Religious buildings such as Saint-Joseph and Sainte-Germaine offer an ideal setting to admire the geometric and floral motifs typical of this period.

Detail of the ironwork of the Calais Town Hall, made by Adalbert Szabo. A goldsmith's work mixing arabesques and floral motifs, capturing the elegance of the neo-Flemish architecture of this emblematic monument listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the foreground, the street lamps which definitively mark the art-deco style of the Town Hall in the background and its monumental belfry.

Free Thematic Exhibitions

Stained glass windows and art deco elements

Explore the stained glass windows and furnishings of the Saint-Germaine and Saint-Joseph churches, remarkable witnesses of the Art Deco movement, through a photographic exhibition presented by Sylvie Dozinel and her association Calais-Histoire-Patrimoine.

Sat. May 3 10 a.m. › 12 p.m. and 14 p.m. › 16 p.m.
Sun. May 4 10 a.m. › 13 p.m.
Sat. May 10 10 a.m. › 12 p.m. and 14 p.m. ‹ 16 p.m.
Sun. May 11 10 a.m. › 13 p.m.

At the Calais XXL Tourist Office,
12 Bd Clemenceau in Calais

Art Deco doors that speak to us

Many houses in Calais have door grilles with patterns that bear witness to the golden age of ironwork. EPAC invites you to discover them during this photographic exhibition.

From Saturday 5th to Tuesday 22nd April
9 a.m. › 12 p.m. and 14 p.m. › 17:30 p.m.

On the 1st floor of the Town Hall, Cabinet d'Ceremonial, Place du Soldat Inconnu, in Calais

100 years of Art Deco: the traveling exhibition

In May 2025, the traveling exhibition celebrates the centenary of the Art Deco movement by unveiling its architectural and decorative treasures. Through photos and illustrations, immerse yourself in the elegance of this era and explore the unique details of the region's iconic buildings.

May 2025
Calais City Hall

Sunny view of the stained glass windows of the church of Bonningues-Lès-Calais

Interior view of Calais Town Hall and its ornamental stained glass windows.

Conferences and Young Explorers

The Spring of Art Deco in Calais does not just let you admire facades or stained glass windows: it also invites you to enrich your knowledge and to live unique experiences. international conferences exciting events will punctuate this event. The 10 April, a documentary will pay tribute to Jean Muse, a talented but often overlooked artisan-sculptor, while the May 22, a conference will explore the fascinating link between ironwork and Art Deco style. These meetings are the perfect opportunity to deepen your understanding of this artistic movement and its artisans.

Et for the youngest, activities specially designed for them will immerse them in the world of Art Deco. A sensory walk will allow them to awaken their senses by exploring the shapes, textures and materials characteristic of this style. As a family, also go on an adventure with the “Explorers’ Routes” around the City Hall, thanks to interactive leaflets that transform discovery into an educational and fun game. Whether you are a history buff or simply curious, these experiences promise to captivate young and old alike… and many more surprises await you!

Spring Art Deco Program