Beautiful Swamp Blues Festival
One of northern France's biggest blues festivals, held every April in Calais, featuring blues, soul and gospel at the Halle on Place d'Armes plus after-parties in the old town brasseries.
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Calais
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Calais
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Climb the Belfry of the Town Hall for a panoramic view of the city and, on a clear day, the White Cliffs of Dover.
- Public transport in Calais is completely free, making it incredibly easy to hop on buses to explore the port and beach areas.
- Don't miss the mechanical 'Dragon de Calais' on the seafront; check its schedule online as it walks along the promenade.
- The beach has a newly renovated promenade with plenty of food stands and play areas, great for a sunset walk.
🍽 Food
🍽
Le Welsh
Bread topped with cheddar cheese and beer, baked in the oven - try this hearty dish at traditional brasseries in the center.
🍽
Moules-frites
Enjoy fresh mussels served with fries at the seafood restaurants situated around Place d'Armes.
🍽
Sole Meunière
Butter pan-fried sole - a classic fish dish best enjoyed at the local eateries near the harbor.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Calais Lace (Dentelle)
Purchase the finest traditional lace at the gift shop of the Museum of Lace and Fashion (Cité de la Dentelle).
🛍
Place d'Armes Market
Visit the market on Wednesdays and Saturdays to find fresh local produce and regional cheeses.
🧘
Parc Saint-Pierre
A small, green oasis located directly opposite the Town Hall, first-rate for a short rest.
🧘
Cap Blanc-Nez
A short drive outside the city brings you to these dramatic chalk cliffs for windy, peaceful walks.
Water temperature…
Calais is a major port city in northern France located at the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point of the English Channel. Due to its strategic position, the city has been a vital hub for trade and communication between mainland Europe and Great Britain for centuries. Today, Calais serves as the primary terminal for ferry traffic to Dover and also houses the entrance to the Channel Tunnel, providing a subsea rail link to England. Historically, the city was under English rule from 1347 to 1558, an event famously commemorated by Auguste Rodin's 'The Burghers of Calais' sculpture located in front of the town hall. The town hall itself is a magnificent example of Flemish Neo-Renaissance architecture, featuring a belfry that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Beyond its maritime significance, Calais was a global center for lace production during the 19th century, a tradition preserved at the Museum of Lace and Fashion. The city has undergone significant modernization in recent decades to handle the increasing logistics demands of trans-European transport. Visitors can enjoy wide sandy beaches and a lively culinary scene influenced by the proximity to the sea. Despite heavy damage during World War II, the city has maintained its unique maritime character and architectural heritage.
- Location: Hauts-de-France, France
- Top sights: Beffroi de l'Hôtel de Ville · Les Bourgeois de Calais · Phare de Calais
- Nearby: Marck (6 km)
- Population: ~75.961
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 6 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 |
| Rain mm | 70 | 58 | 52 | 39 | 52 | 54 | 62 | 68 | 56 | 81 | 86 | 84 |
Live webcam – Calais
See what it looks like near Calais right now.
Calais · 2 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- The distance to Dover is only 34 kilometers across the sea.
- The town hall belfry stands at 75 meters in height.
- Calais remained under English rule for a total of 211 years.
- The Channel Tunnel was officially opened in 1994.
- Rodin's famous sculpture was inaugurated in the year 1895.
- It is the busiest passenger port in the whole of France.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:473.9 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 22–30 €Entries 26€ · Transport 0€
Start your day at the magnificent Town Hall and admire Rodin's famous statues. After diving into textile history at the Lace Museum, walk through the historic district to Notre-Dame Church. The afternoon focuses on maritime heritage at the lighthouse and Fort Risban, before ending the day relaxing on the expansive sandy beach.
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🚶 5'0.08 km
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10:02 · 47'
Les Bourgeois de Calais
Rodin's masterpiece located right in front of the town hall.
🚶 19'0.8 km
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11:08 · 47'
Musée de la Dentelle et de la Mode
Discover the intricate history of famous Calais lace.
🚶 19'0.79 km
🚶 11'0.4 km
🚶 18'0.75 km
🚶 26'1.13 km
09:00→17:265.5 km ride8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 36–48 €Entries 30€ · Transport 12€
Discover Calais by bike along flat, coastal paths. From the grand center, cycle to the Lace Museum and then through the harbor district. Enjoy the freedom of two wheels along the beachfront promenade and visit historic fortifications like Fort Risban. A perfect mix of culture and fresh sea breeze.
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🚲 8'0.87 km
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09:00→17:2019 km drive8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 28–38 €Entries 30€ · Transport 3€
By car, you can combine the cultural highlights of Calais with the wild nature of the Opal Coast. After touring the center and museums, drive comfortably to the harbor and beach. The day concludes with a short drive to Cap Blanc-Nez, where you can enjoy breathtaking views across the Channel to England.
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🚗 3'0.08 km
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14:23 · 47'
Plage de Calais (Beach Cluster)
Plenty of free parking available right on the dike.
🚗 53'15.09 km
Sights in the town Calais (19)
Plage de Calais🌿 nature
Showcasing a vast expanse of sand, Plage de Calais features an open and breezy seaside retreat along the English Channel. The atmosphere here is deeply maritime, defined by a spacious promenade that attracts walkers and ship-watchers alike. Visitors can delight in long shoreline strolls while observing the ferries traversing the waters in the distance. Bringing a light jacket is wise, as the coastal winds can be invigorating even on sunny days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get from London to Calais?
The Eurostar train journey takes about 1 hour. Alternatively, many travelers use the ferry from Dover or the Eurotunnel car shuttle.
What is the city's most famous monument?
The bronze statue 'The Burghers of Calais' by Auguste Rodin in front of the Town Hall is world-famous, commemorating an episode from the Hundred Years' War.
Are there nice beaches in Calais?
Yes, the city beach 'Plage de Calais' is spacious and sandy. It features a great view of the arriving and departing ferries.
What to do in Calais when it rains?
Visit the 'Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode', an impressive museum of lace and fashion housed in a former factory.
How much time is needed for a city tour?
A full day is usually enough to see the center, the lighthouse, and the lace museum. Many use Calais as a transit stop.
Calais: where is it located?
Calais is located in Hauts-de-France, France.
Calais: what is there to see?
Highlights include Beffroi de l'Hôtel de Ville, Les Bourgeois de Calais, Phare de Calais.
Calais: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Calais: why is it worth visiting?
Calais is a major port city in northern France located at the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point of the English Channel.
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