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Calais is a city in the Nord-Pas de Calais Region of France, the town is often seen as the passage to other parts of France. Calais overlooks the Strait of Dover and is the closest French town to England. Approximately each year 24 million people pass through Calais in order to escape to
other parts of France but there is so much to explore within the town.
There are many quick and convenient ways to get to Calais, you can sit back and relax on the Eurostar or even ride the comfortable ferry from Dover to Calais. You could also drive and go via the Eurotunnel train. Alternatively you can fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport, which is the closest main airport to Calais.
Shopping is one of the biggest attractions in Calais, the shops cater for the common stop overs and the shopping trips from the UK. Calais Nord is the harbour area, this area is home to the popular Rue Royale, and there are also a number of really good restaurants in this district. Calais-Sud is the main town centre and has a variety of shops and department stores. Calais-Ouest is where Cite de l’Europa is situated. This indoor shopping centre has up to 11 major stores including a hypermarket and 150 shops selling everything you could think of from all over Europe. Other popular shopping destinations include, Boulevard Jacquard and Boulevard la Fayette, are good shopping districts. Transportation is no problem, there is an extremely good bus service throughout Calais and parking is available in the streets close to the boulevards. Calais also offers a wide assortment of wines for all you wine lovers. A little tip…. Calais is also a good place to stock up on alcoholic beverages, maybe for a party back in the UK.
Calais is not only good for shopping; there are a number of historical and cultural sites to explore. You should take a trip to Par Saint Pierre where you can find an old German bunker; today it is a war museum. However, during World War II the bunker served as a telephone exchange.
Make sure you make time to see Rodin’s famous sculpture ‘The Burghers of Calais’, the sculpture is situated in front of the town hall (Hotel de Ville). The sculpture shows citizens of Calais who volunteered themselves as hostages to the English King Edward III in exchange they wanted him to lift the siege on their city. Hotel de Ville is definitely a site worth capturing; the building has a Flemish style structure. The town hall clock tower can be seen for miles around. Take a trip to Musee des Beaux Arts et de la Dentelle, the museum gives a good explanation of the town’s lace-making history.
For those of you enjoy water sports and wish to keep active, Wissant has a huge beach, which is ideal for water and wind sports. If you prefer to be on water but not in water, there are a number of places which offer boat trips and if you wish to stay completely off the water, have a go at land yachting. Apart from the water activities there are many beautiful countrysides in the surrounding areas, here
Most people travel around Calais by car so you should maybe consider a cheap hire car or driving to Calais. Don’t be like the 24million other people who just pass through Calais, the next opportunity you have, explore Calais. It will be worth it! |
