Travel to Calais

Travel to Calais

A port town in northern France, Calais is the closest French town to England and it boasts a perfect blend of French and English culture. The city overlooks the Strait of Dover in the English Channel and on a clear day, the beautiful white cliffs of Dover can be seen. Calais also has a ferry port located 40kms from the English coast, convenient for English and international travellers visiting the city.

Transportation to Calais

It is convenient to travel to Calais by crossing the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel. The crossing takes 30 minutes from Dover to Calais, on either a Eurostar train or with your car on a Eurotunnel train. The city does not have an airport, but its port is very well-equipped. The ferry from Dover to Calais offers very comfortable, cheap and fast rides. Alternatively, you can fly into London's Heathrow or Gatwick airports in England or Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport, which is the closet main airport to Calais.

What to see

There are many fortresses in Calais. One of the main tourist spots is La Forteresse de Mimoyecques, comprising of a maze of tunnels and chambers. Other fortresses include La Coupole and the Blockhaus in the Foret Deperlecques. Here you will find a massive concrete building designed to launch both V1 and V2 rockets. There is an excellent commentary in English at key parts of the site, along with detailed explanations on panels. Little trolleys for young children are provided for entertainment, adding to the fun of discovering the many hidden parts of the fortresses.

The watchtower, dating back to the 13th century, is also worth seeing, giving wonderful views of the scenery of the port and the exquisite coast, which is truly breathtaking. The southwest coast of Calais, with Cap Blanc Nez, Cap Griz Nez and the Bay of Wissant, boasts remarkable views. A visit to Muse des Beaux Arts et de la Dentelle is recommended, where you can observe the history of lace-making while admiring an exhibition of watercolour artworks and sculptures. At night, the citys Town Hall gives a distinctive feel when it is lit up.

Daytrips

There are many things to do outside Calais. Clean and sandy beaches can be found at the nearby seaside resort of Le Touquet, which also offers a variety of water sports and a bustling club scene which includes a casino. Dunkerque, only a short drive from Calais, boasts the sites of many historical events. You can also head to St Omer, where the 13th century Notre Dame Cathedral, featuring outstanding Gothic architecture, is located. Standing on the Mont de Cassel, Cassel is another scenic town worth visiting, boasting the place where the Grand Old Duke of York marched his 10,000 men.

Activities and leisure

Calais provides a full range of restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and nightspots for tourists. If you are a wine lover, Calais is also a great place to stock up on good wine at the wine emporiums.

Safety issues

Pick-pocketing is present in Calais, making it important for visitors to be on guard, while those who participate in water sports will be prone to accidents. It is strongly recommended you take out travel insurance for you and your family prior to your trip.