CalaisMainland France · France

All About Calais

A gateway to Côte d’Opale (Opal Coast), Calais lies along the English Channel in northern France. Incipiently a fishing village, the city gained importance as a port town during the 10th-century. However, trade and commerce truly prospered under British rule from 1360 to 1558. Taken back by the French, the city came into Spanish hands for two years before being reclaimed by France later in the century. Destroyed during WWII, there was an extensive rebuilding of the town during the following decades. As a result, Calais managed to save some of its ancient monuments and quickly reclaimed its position as a noteworthy harbor of the European continent. Taking a ferry to Calais is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.
 

Routes and Ferries to Calais

Dover to Calais ferry tickets are available through Ferryscanner for boats operated by DFDS and P&O Ferries. The distance of roughly 40km between the two ports takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. Between the two ferry companies, there are over 40 sailings per day. Consequently, many Brits visit Calais for day trips or weekend getaways. A few other advantages of taking the pet-friendly ferries are no baggage restrictions and premium lounge access.

Although there are three airports near Calais, flying to the city is not the most comfortable choice. At 7km from the center, Calais-Dunkirk Airport has only one runway, but no commercial flights landing on its strip. Ostend-Bruges in Belgium is 93km away. Flights from Alicante, Malaga, Antalya, and Corfu land there during the tourist season. Lille Airport is better suited even though it is 120km from Calais. It accepts seasonal and permanent flights from Algiers, Nice, Boudreaux, Nantes, Marseille, and other European cities.

An on-land route possibility is Le Shuttle from Folkestone to Calais. The car-rail takes 35 minutes to reach mainland Europe with up to four departures an hour. However, if already in France, Calais is well-connected to the motorway. Furthermore, the city has two train stations, Calais-Ville and Calais-Fréthun, with railway links to nearby and faraway French towns.
 

Port of Calais

The Port of Calais accommodates everything, from cruises to cargo ships and cross-channel ferries. As France’s fourth-largest port, it welcomes the maximum number of seafaring passengers in the country. Much-preferred by tourists, the port’s popularity didn’t dwindle even after the opening of the Eurotunnel. The ferry terminal of the port has five berths with double-deck facilities. When arriving from Dover with ferry tickets to Calais in hand, passengers have access to toilets, free parking, and dining upon docking. Those with a car have direct entrance to the motorway. Foot passengers can choose between buses to the city center and train station or taxis straight to their hotels.
 

Best Beaches

War remnants, stunning sea views, and ample sunshine from June to August make the Opal Coast’s sandy beaches a must-visit for enthusiastic sunbathers and swimmers.

Plage de Calais

The main beach in Calais is among the most popular on the Opal Coast. Located next to the harbor, passengers with ferry tickets to Calais get a panoramic view of the beach as they approach the city. Low lying dunes bordering the strand, giving it a rustic feel, while free parking, toilets, lifeguards, restaurants, and beach huts attract families en masse. Plage de Calais is perfect for children to swim in the sea, build sandcastles, and collect shells. An unmissable opportunity at the beach is an hour-long ride on the Calais Dragon. The fire-breathing mobile structure is a spectacle to watch and ride. Tickets for the ride cost €9.50 for adults and €7.50 for children.

Plage de Wissant

Refreshing water, sandy, and a little windy at times, Plage de Wissant is a 25-minute drive from Calais. Monitored during the summer holidays, Wissant Beach is a busy spot with ongoing activities throughout the day. The beach has a surf school, WWII bunkers, and kitesurfing opportunities. There aren’t many eateries around, but the town is only a short walk away. Pick a clear day to visit, and you’ll be able to see Dover clearly from the beach.

Plage du Cap Blanc-Nez

The 25-minute drive from Calais to Plage du Cap Blanc-Nez might be inland, but the views upon reaching this sandy strip are breathtaking. Sandwiched between dramatic cliffs, sun-seekers have to undertake a gentle 10-minute walk from the free parking to the coast. There aren’t any facilities here. Still, the beach sees plenty of action, especially during low tide as it expands further into the sea. Walking trails on the cliffs promise memorable vistas, and the beach itself is an idyllic location to watch the sunset.

Plaga de Sangatte

Like Plage de Calais, sand lovers lounging at Plage de Sangatte have excellent views of boats carrying passengers with ferry tickets to Calais. The 8km long shoreline with fine sand has a rural character and stays uncrowded on most weekends. It is an unmonitored beach with small waves, popular as a windsurfing destination. A 2.4km dyke at the beach is favored by locals for walking and jogging.

Plage de Boulogne-sur-Mer

The famous Plage de Boulogne-sur-Mer is a 30-minute south-westerly drive from Calais. The broad sandy beach entices large crowds during the warm months. The sea here is calm and shallow, creating the perfect spot for families to spend a playful day. Beach-goers can rent parasols and visit the red lighthouse. Facilities on the beach include WCs, showers, playgrounds, beach hut renting, lifeguards, and water sports. When in Boulogne, do stop at Nausicaá. The sea aquarium is much-loved by children and is an occasion to learn more about aquatic life. 
 

Places to Visit

For the 10 million people who visit Calais annually, the city offers a cornucopia of attractions. When traversing through its streets, tourists can admire the centuries-old architecture, step inside themed museums, relax in beautiful gardens, and dine at exquisite gourmet restaurants.

Town Hall and Belfry

One of Calais’ most important landmarks, the Town Hall, is within walking distance from the railway station. Outstanding Flemish architecture by Louis Debrouwer and beautiful stained-glass windows complete the façade of this gorgeous building. On the first floor is a wedding room where Charles de Gaulle married Yvonne Vendroux in 1921. Alongside the City Hall is a 75m high belfry that visitors can climb if the wind isn’t too fierce. Outside, one can also witness Rodin’s Burghers of Calais. This unique sculpture, made in 1895, honors the six leaders who sacrificed their lives to end the war against the British.

World War II Museum

A former German army command post and bunker, the World War II Museum of Calais came into existence in 1962. Near the Town Hall, the museum consists of 21 small galleries with displays featuring artifacts from the war, such as uniforms, photos, and weapons. Adults must pay €8 to enter the museum and can take an audio self-guided tour in English.

Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode

Calais has an almost 200-year-old lace-making heritage celebrated with much fanfare at the City of Lace and Fashion. While the museum is housed in an old 1870s lace factory, the interiors are anything but ancient. Interactive presentations look at the history of lace-making in Calais, different techniques, and famous fashion brands who have integrated this masterful art into their creations. When visiting the museum, pay the full entry price of €7 as it includes both temporary and permanent exhibits.

Calais Lighthouse

Nothing short of a miracle, the Calais Lighthouse built-in 1848 survived World War II’s destruction unharmed. The 53-meter-high historical monument is now a fully automated lighthouse. On pleasant days, visitors can pay €5 and climb the 271 steps for incredible views of the coast and the strait, all the way to the white cliffs of Dover.

Cité Europe

A one-stop-shop for all entertainment, shopping, and culinary needs, Cité Europe is a grand mall situated 15 minutes from Calais center. The bus service to Cité Europe takes 30 minutes and costs €1, an economical transport mode compared to taking the taxi. At the mall are over 120 shops, 20 restaurants, and a 12-screen cinema. There is also a hypermarket from where you can get every possible daily need item.
 

Transportation Around Calais

Public transport in Calais is frequent, convenient, and offers a few different travel alternatives. Calais Opale buses drive on 13 routes that stop around the city and also cover neighboring towns. The yellow and blue Balad’in buses are free to use and run from Monday to Saturday between the fishing port and Boulevard Lafayette.

A novel way to move around the city for water-loving travelers arriving with ferry tickets to Calais is on the canal boat Majest’in. Carrying up to 70 passengers, the boat takes 30 minutes to sail between Calais Nord and Coulogne. There are three stops en-route. A one-way ticket on Majest’in costs €1.

For more flexibility, tourists can rent bicycles through Vél’in. This bike-sharing program allows visitors to take a bicycle from and return to any of the 53 stations in Calais. The first half-hour is free, with a nominal charge applied thereafter, depending on the length of use. The city center is comfortable to walk around and doesn’t require any transportation. However, if leaving Calais in the hope of exploring the Opal Coast, it would be best to rent a car.