Cross-Channel drinks shopping

Wine and beer outlets in Calais

Calais still has specialist drinks stores aimed at British travellers, but the old “booze cruise” landscape has changed. Some familiar warehouse names have disappeared, while current stores increasingly offer online ordering, collection and advice alongside wine, beer, Champagne and spirits.

Last checked: September 2026

The current specialist options

Older Calais guides often list drinks warehouses that closed years ago. The useful question is no longer simply which outlets once existed, but which stores are operating now and which one suits your crossing.

Calais Wine Superstore

Calais Wine Superstore is an independent specialist store on Rue Marcel Doret. Its location is particularly useful for ferry passengers, although it is also accessible from the LeShuttle terminal area.

The store is best suited to travellers who want:

• wine, Champagne, beer and spirits in one specialist shop;
• an English-speaking service;
• the option to browse or order before travelling;
• collection close to the Calais ferry route;
• help choosing wine rather than only browsing supermarket shelves.

At the time of our September 2026 check, the store published regular opening hours of 09:30–18:00 every day. It also advertised 24-hour locker collection for eligible orders placed at least 24 hours in advance.

This does not mean the physical shop is staffed 24 hours a day. Check collection instructions carefully if you intend to arrive outside normal opening hours.

Check the current Calais Wine Superstore range and collection information .

Calais Vins

Calais Vins is another established specialist option. It is useful for shoppers who want wine advice and a location that can be combined with French cheese, bread and other food purchases.

Its associated Olivier Vins store provides another option nearer the LeShuttle side of Calais. This makes the group relevant to both ferry and Channel Tunnel travellers.

Calais Vins is best suited to:

• visitors placing more emphasis on wine than bulk lager;
• shoppers who want staff advice;
• ferry travellers looking for a specialist stop;
• visitors combining wine with cheese and bakery shopping.

The retailer currently publishes daily opening, but Sunday and holiday hours may differ. Check directly before travelling.

View current Calais Vins and Olivier Vins information .

Pidou

Pidou remains an active wine, beer and spirits retailer with online ordering and stores in the wider Calais and Dunkirk area. Its website lists a Calais location in the ZAC Marcel Doret area.

However, some individual store information on the Pidou website appears dated. In particular, older claims that the Calais shop is always open should not be relied upon without direct confirmation.

Pidou is most relevant when you:

• want to inspect prices online before travelling;
• intend to order a larger quantity;
• want wine, beer and spirits from one retailer;
• are prepared to confirm the collection location and hours in advance.

Check Pidou’s current products and store information .

What happened to the old Calais drinks warehouses?

The cross-Channel shopping market was once filled with British-facing names such as EastEnders, Cheers, Boozers, Tesco Wine Store, Oddbins and Majestic.

These should not be presented as current shopping choices. Majestic explicitly confirms that its Calais and Coquelles stores are permanently closed, while several other familiar names disappeared much earlier.

Old signs, logos and directory pages can still appear in search results. Their presence online does not establish that a physical shop is still trading.

Specialist outlet or hypermarket?

Choose a specialist outlet when:

• wine or beer is the main purpose of your stop;
• you want to order before travelling;
• you want help choosing between wines;
• you are buying enough to make price comparison worthwhile;
• you want cases prepared for collection.

Choose a hypermarket when:

• you also need cheese, bread, groceries or household products;
• you prefer to browse French supermarket products;
• you are making a smaller mixed purchase;
• you are already visiting Cité Europe or Auchan;
• convenience matters more than specialist assistance.

Carrefour at Cité Europe is especially convenient for LeShuttle passengers. Our Auchan Calais guide covers the other major hypermarket option.

Which shop suits your crossing?

Travelling by ferry

Ferry passengers should normally concentrate on shops on the port side of Calais. Calais Wine Superstore and Calais Vins may be more convenient than driving to the Coquelles retail area, depending on your route and available time.

When collecting shortly before departure, check your sailing and required check-in time first. The independent Calais–Dover sailing schedule can help you review the normal route timetable, but always confirm live travel information with your ferry operator.

Travelling through LeShuttle

LeShuttle passengers may find Carrefour at Cité Europe easier for a mixed shop. A specialist store becomes more attractive when drinks are the main reason for stopping or an order has already been prepared.

If you are unfamiliar with the crossing and terminal area, our partner guide at Chunnel.co.uk explains travelling between Folkestone and Calais through the Channel Tunnel.

Should you order before travelling?

Advance ordering can be useful when you know exactly what you want or are buying several cases. It reduces browsing time and lets you confirm whether the products are available.

Before ordering, check:

• the exact collection address;
• whether collection is staffed or uses lockers;
• the minimum notice required;
• whether payment is taken online or in France;
• the cancellation conditions;
• whether the quantity remains within your UK allowance.

A collection point may have different hours from the physical shop. Keep the confirmation email accessible during your journey.

Compare prices before buying

“Duty free” and “cheaper than Britain” are not guarantees that every bottle, case or brand represents good value. Promotions, exchange rates and UK supermarket discounts can change the comparison.

A useful comparison includes:

• the price per bottle or litre, not only the case price;
• the current pound-to-euro exchange rate;
• whether the same bottle or pack size is sold in Britain;
• any minimum order requirement;
• the cost of making a separate journey to the shop;
• your remaining personal allowance.

French regional wine, Champagne and products that are difficult to find at home may be more interesting than buying familiar UK supermarket brands solely because they are displayed as an offer.

UK alcohol allowances

When entering Great Britain from France, each adult aged 17 or over can currently bring in:

• 42 litres of beer;
• 18 litres of still wine;
• either 4 litres of spirits over 22% alcohol or 9 litres of alcoholic drinks up to 22%;
• or a proportional combination of the final two categories.

These allowances are for goods you transport yourself for personal use or gifts. If you exceed an allowance, you must declare the goods and may owe tax and duty on the full amount in that category.

Read our complete UK alcohol allowance guide and check the latest official UK rules before buying.

When should you buy?

Buying before travelling deeper into France means carrying the weight throughout your trip. It may also expose wine to heat inside a parked car.

For most returning British travellers, a planned collection shortly before the crossing is more practical. Leave a suitable margin for loading, traffic and check-in rather than treating the shop’s advertised driving time as a complete schedule.

Our guide to what to do before your Calais crossing will help position shopping within the time you actually have.

Frequently asked questions

Store details checked against current retailer websites in September 2026. Opening hours, collection arrangements, prices and promotions can change. Check directly with the retailer before travelling.