©Fred Collier Street Art: a national ranking
Since the creation of its festival dedicated to this 21st-century art form, Calais has established itself as a major player in the world of street art, particularly in the Hauts-de-France region. Since the launch of its summer festival, the city has transformed its walls into an open-air museum. This rise has just been crowned with the most prestigious award: the Golden Street Art 2025.
The most beautiful mural in France in 2025
The verdict came down in February 2026: the work "Samurai and Dragon", created during the 5th edition of the Calais Street Art Festival, was voted the most beautiful mural in FranceLocated at 161 rue de Valenciennes, this monumental piece, over 12 meters high, is signed Flow (Florian De Elizondo)The Bayonne artist, a professor at the Higher School of Art of the Basque Country, achieved a technical feat in just 60 hours of work!
Why was this work so appealing?
Striking hyperrealism: The precision of the warrior's face and the dynamism of the white dragon testify to absolute technical mastery.
The local touch: While the aesthetic is Japanese, the dragon is a vibrant homage to Calais Dragon who strolls along the seafront. Popular enthusiasm: With over 4,700 votes on social media, the support of Calais residents made the difference against 59 other national creations. During the creation process, local residents came to offer coffee and encouragement to Flow, demonstrating, if it were still necessary, the local fervor for the festival's artists.
Street art in Calais: 70 works to discover
©Flow Graffiti A historic track record: Calais, a regular in the Top 10
Flow's success is not an isolated case. Since 2021, Calais has regularly topped the national rankings. The city has managed to attract international stars to create a unique urban experience, particularly in the Beau-Marais district.
Retrospective of the award-winning works in Calais:
2025 – Gold Medal: “Samurai and Dragon” by Flow
Voted the most beautiful fresco in France, this monumental work located at 161 rue de Valenciennes fuses Japanese culture with the local icon, the Dragon of Calais, in a breathtaking hyperrealistic style.
2024 – 4th place nationally “The Parrot” by Curtis Hylton
A composition blending fauna and flora, visible at the corner of Rue Greuze and Avenue Guynemer. It testifies to the festival's commitment to biodiversity.
2023 – 5th place nationally: “The Fighting Fish” by Sweo & Nikita
This duo illuminated the rue du Commandant Mouchotte with a technical and colorful mural, reinforcing the status of the Beau-Marais district as an open-air museum.
2022 – 8th place nationally: “Relative Freedom” by Aéro
Located on rue Deneuville, this strikingly realistic work is one of Aéro's many contributions that make the residents proud.
2021 – Silver Medal: “The Wild Bride” by Aéro
The consecration that launched everything! This iconic mural on Rue des Communes, with its sailor's cap, brought Calais onto the national podium for the first time.
©Timothe Lovergne 
©City of Calais The Golden Street Art Prize:
The “Ballon d'Or” of the walls
Organized by the leading website Trompe-l'œil.info, the Golden Street Art Prize annually recognizes excellence in mural art in France. The winners are chosen through a careful combination of public vote and the expertise of a jury of specialized photographers. In 2025, the Hauts-de-France region achieved a remarkable sweep of the awards, proving that Northern France has become the beating heart of the discipline (including a third-place finish for Boulogne-sur-Mer, also located on the Opal Coast).
Discover Trompe l'oeil infoWhy does Calais earn so much?
The artist Aéro is considered the pioneer of this revival. His “Pensive Fisherman” (2021) has become an icon of the city, capturing the soul of Calais residents and paving the way for the ultimate title won by Flow this year. This meteoric rise is based on a bold strategy championed by the municipality and local stakeholders:
90 Open-Air Artworks
Access WivisitesCalais XXL is more than ever an open-air gallery just waiting for you! Whether you're a photography enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious, the Calais Street Art Trail has surprises in store for you around every corner. Every summer, Calais XXL's guides offer tours to discover the artworks in the city center.