The 39th International Kite Festival has opened in Berck-sur-Mer, drawing flyers and spectators to the windswept coast.
Running from 18 to 26 April, the week-long event brings hundreds of participants from across the world.
Large-scale creations and precision kites fill the sky each day, turning the beach into a moving display.
A highlight is the World Kite Cup, where eleven teams compete in solo, duo and team routines. Judges look for control, timing and design as pilots work the coastal wind.
Organisers expect strong crowds after a record 800,000 visitors in 2022, with free access helping keep the festival open to all.