Top 10 Things To Do In Calais

Calais is a city located in the French département of Nord-Pas de Calais. It is the closest port in France to England and has been the driving force behind trade and tourism between the two European countries. The city is separated into two parts: the old town and the modern town. Calais-Nord, the old town, is located on a man-made island bordered by canals and harbours. The other part, the modern town, known as St-Pierre, lies to the south. There are regular cross-channel ferry services connecting the popular ports of Dover and Calais. Making a short crossing to France over the English Channel is a much-loved lunchtime destination for the British population in the south-east of England. Calais is a developing tourist centre with its rich cultural heritage, museums, French gastronomic delights, a spirited nightlife and its Belfries which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here are the top 10 things to do in Calais.

1. Stopover at the Town Hall of Calais

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One of the important landmarks in Calais is The Town Hall of Calais. This is mainly because of its architecture and historical significance. The construction of the Town Hall belfry started in 1911 with the aim of merging the towns of Calais and Saint-Pierre. Its construction was completed in 1925.  Its architecture is a brick and stone building in a Neo-Flemish style, the spire of the belfry tower stands 75 meters tall from where an electric bell rings every hour. The Town Hall building is so distinguishing that it can be seen from miles around, you can’t miss it.

2. Climb the Never-Ending Stairs at the Calais Lighthouse

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The Calais Lighthouse stands at a soaring height of 51 meters and has a staircase that leads to the lantern. Climbing the lighthouse may seem a little too tiring, but the amazing breathtaking view of the Calais town is worth it. During clear skies, you can even see the White Cliffs of Dover which are 26 miles away.

3.Whisper A Prayer At Église Notre-Dame

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Visit the Église Notre-Dame (“The Church of Our Lady”), a Roman Catholic parish church that dates back to the 12th-14th century depicting a mixture of Flemish and English architectural styles. This is not only the oldest church in the city but this is a place where General Charles De Gaulle married his Calaisian wife Yvonne in 1921. The imaginative mindsets of Flemish masons and English architects have given this structure an out of the ordinary Flemish-Gothic look. Renovations in the church are still ongoing from the time it was severely damaged during World War II.

4. A Day At The Beach

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For the beach-lovers, you cannot go without visiting the sandy beaches of Calais that run along the Opal Coast. The beach offers a breathtaking panoramic, unremitting view of the English Channel. Take advantage of the countless sports and recreation prospects provided at the beach such as Cycling, Water-sport, Yachting, Sailing, Wind Surfing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sand Yachting, Jet Ski, etc. If sports are not your cup of tea, you can also relax, sunbath, take a walk along the shoreline or grab a meal at one of the many restaurants along the waterfront.

5. Take a Tour of The Citadel of Calais

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The Citadel of Calais is a buttress built by Philippe Le Hurperel, Lord of Boulogne in 1929. It was constructed in order to safeguard their city from attacks. It initially served as the habitation of Philippe Le Hurperel, Lord of Boulogne. In later years, it served English rulers such as King Edward II till 1558, when the city gained its freedom. When the city got merged with France, the French King renovated it into an exaggerated fortress with the construction of a citadel designed by Vauban.

6. Visit Fort Nieulay

When Calais was just a marshy land, the Nieulay Bridge, which connected Calais with the west, was protected by a small fort called Fort Nieulay. The fort was designed in such a way that it could flood the land in the front of the town, in case of any enemy attack. This place made it impossible for the enemy to enter the city. However, due to surprise attacks by the French in 1558 and Spaniards in 1596, the channels could be opened and the city came under siege. Today, the fort’s ruins part of a beautiful park.

7. View the Les Bourgeois de Calais

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Les Bourgeois de Calais is the most famous landmark in the city. Sculpted by Rodin in 1895, it depicts the heart-wrenching story of six men who surrendered themselves to England’s King Edward III to be hanged, in a hope that their city will gain its freedom from the English rulers. The event, which took place on 4th August 1347, was avoided due to the King’s wife – Queen Philippa de Hainault who requested her husband to spare the lives of the six French freedom fighters. But the city continued to be under the rule of English till 1558. To commemorate the incident, the statue was instated on 3 June 1895.

8. Visit The La Cite De La Dentelle Et De La Mode

La cité de la dentelle et de la mode (the City of Lace and Fashion) reveals the past and present of lace manufacturing. This is a museum set in one of Calais’ last collective lace factories, established in the 1870s. The museum gallery has 3320 pieces of machine and hand-made lace fashion throughout the years, with collections by designers like Iris van Herpen and Cristóbal Balenciaga. Watch as experts demonstrate their craft on a working loom that you can see in action at the factory.

9. Visit Musee De La Guerre De Calais

You will want to see the Musée de la Guerre (The Museum of Memories) in the Parc Saint-Pierre. It is a former Nazi bunker almost 200 meters in length. The structure is completely cloaked by the park’s foliage in summer and acted as a communications centre for the entire northwest of France. It was built in 1941 and now has 21 galleries with artefacts, photographs, uniforms and newspaper cuttings. During your visit, you can view posted warnings and propaganda posters that will shed some light on life in Calais during the occupation.

10. Take In Some Fresh Air At The City Parks

Whether you are waiting for a ferry or fresh off the boat you can stop at Parc Richelieu to get some fresh air and stretch your legs. The park is well-tended and green with a pond in the centre and paths through thickets, shrubberies and flower beds. Parc Saint-Pierre has more of a French feel, as you will notice from the locals playing pétanque. It has pergolas, balustrades and an elaborate fountain. It’s the perfect place to have a picnic as it is only moments away from the Town Hall.

You now know the top 10 things to do in Calais. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it has given you some insight into touring Calais.