Climb the Risban Lighthouse for Port Panoramas

A short distance from the museum's main dock stands the Phare du Risban (Risban Lighthouse), France's northernmost historic lighthouse. The museum manages ticket access to this 66-meter-tall monument, which requires climbing 276 steps to reach the observation balcony.

The effort rewards you with an extraordinary 360-degree vista sweeping across Dunkirk’s industrial deep-sea port, the beaches of Operation Dynamo fame, and out over the English Channel toward the Belgian border. Check the maritime weather forecast before your climb; severe coastal gale warnings on the North Sea can result in temporary closures of the outdoor balcony for visitor safety.