Calais guide and accommodations

Photo gallery

About the City

Calais is a city in the Nord-Pas de Calais region of France. It is the closest point on the French mainland to England; Dover lies across the English Channel just 32 km away.

City Areas

Virtually the entire town was destroyed by heavy bombardments during World War II, so there is little in Calais that pre-dates the war. For most visitors, the town is simply a place to pass through en route to other destinations.

Attractions

Although Calais suffered immensely in the Second World War due to allied bombing, some buildings and architectural works have survived. However the Old Town was mostly ruined by the attacks.

Transportation

Calais is the main hub in the communication lines, via train and ferry, between the UK and France, or even the rest of Europe. The Channel Tunnel extends 50 km from Coquelles near Calais in France to Folkestone in England.

Events

Although a port at the English Channel, the city comes alive mostly in winter. At the end of November, with the beginning of the winter holidays, Calais lights up both figuratively and literally.

Restaurants & Nightlife

Although most of the city’s cuisine is based on seafood and fish, travelers can also taste French specialties like rack of lamb and others. The nightlife isn’t bad either as the city enters party mode as soon as the sun sets.

History and Civilization

Calesium in Latin or Kaleis in old French was a village of fishermen and sailors, as attested from the 8^th century. The first official document indicating the existence of this community is the commune charter granted by Mathieu d’Alsace in the 12^th century.

The Channel Tunnel – A true modern engineering feat

Those who said that you can’t build a bridge over the sea, where probably right. However no one said you can’t try building one under the sea. This is the case of the Channel Tunnel, which was built directly under the English Channel.