Top 6 things to do in Calais

Between the North Sea and the English Channel lies a small town with just 2,011 inhabitants and a surface area of 33.5 m². If you’re a whiz at geography and know the territories that make up the Hauts-de-France region by heart, then you’ll have guessed that this is the town of Calais. Calais is a French sub-prefecture in the Pas-de-Calais département. The town has a chequered history: it was under English rule for 210 years, and they made it the world capital of “Leavers lace”. Close to Paris, Brussels, Lille and London, many people tend to pass Calais by in a flash… Yet it has many advantages when it comes to a cultural break in the Hauts-de-France. Here are our top six things to do in Calais!

What to do in Calais

1. The belfry and town hall

Category: €/Cultural

Description: As soon as you step off the boat or train into Calais and start walking, it won’t be long before you come face to face with the town hall. It’s a real eye-catcher, with its imposing architecture and immense size. It’s a bit like the heart of the city, as the belfry is considered to be the “sentinel of the city”: the superb sundials and clocks tell the inhabitants the precise times. Tick-tock. And don’t forget that the belfry is accessible to people with reduced mobility, and you can take a 30-minute guided tour without prior booking from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm. Get to know this mechanical carillon, which helps to set the rhythm of life in Calais.

2. The Lace Museum

Category: €/Cultural

Description: What would a visit to a town be without a visit to one of its not-to-be-missed museums? As mentioned above, Calais is famous for its custom-made embroidered lace, which is delicate to the touch and delightful to wear. The town has therefore created a museum in honour of this fabric, made from self-woven thread. As you visit, you’ll soon realise that there’s a lot to learn about lace, its history, its past in relation to the town of Calais, and the way it’s made… Go to 135 quai du Commerce to learn how to use a spindle and needle, right up to the mechanical production of lace. You’ll learn all about lace. And don’t forget that the museum also presents temporary exhibitions focusing on the world of fashion.

3. The Dragon of Calais

Category: €€/Cultural/ Unusual

Description: Yes, you read the title right: if there’s one unusual attraction in the town of Calais that will impress young and old alike, it’s its dragon. Looking for a thrill? You’re in for a treat! There’s a whole myth surrounding the Calais dragon. The dragon is made of steel and sculpted wood. It’s a colossal construction, one of the most imposing in the world, and one that required a certain amount of manpower and technique. But the result is stunning! The beast spits fire and smoke in different forms, and its mobility is inspired by that of reptiles. Yes, it does move! Tourists are always both frightened and intrigued to see him walking around town and interacting with the locals. During a 45-minute journey, climb up its tail and climb aboard for an original tour of the city.

4. Go to the beach

Category: Free/Sporty/Gastronomic

Description: After a visit to the Lace Museum, there’s nothing better than a chill-out activity. So don your swimming costume or shorts, sun cream and beach towel for a sunny afternoon. The seaside town of Calais has a beautiful beach with fine sand. It’s the ideal place to spend time with your family or your loved ones, while gazing out at the horizon that stretches as far as the eye can see. However, for those who are there primarily to enjoy the beach and indulge in water activities, you’ll be happy to enjoy windsurfing, diving and even kitesurfing if the weather conditions allow and there’s enough wind. Don’t forget to walk along the beach, which is a great way to relax and unwind, before ending the day over a nice portion of chips on the coastal promenade.

5. The harbours and pier

Image-Creatives-Commons

Category: Free/Cultural

Description: The Calais pier is around 450 metres long. Yes, it’s almost a mini-walk. It is made up of artificial riprap and large concrete blocks, and is home to the vast majority of fishing boats. It’s a simple and relaxing activity for walkers looking for a late afternoon stroll while watching the various catches of the discreet fishermen. A little further on, you’ll find the Bassin du Paradis near the Place d’Armes. Not quite as impressive as the harbours and jetty, but worth a visit nonetheless, and home to a number of small boats. A perfect way to enjoy the North Sea. For walkers, the best option is to walk up the pier above the waves.

6. The Memory Museum

Category: €/Cultural

Description: To round off our ranking, what better way than to tell you about the Memory Museum. This is a retrospective of the war in Calais in a bunker. You’ll be immersed right in the middle of the town of Calais in the Parc Saint-Pierre, among the old soldiers’ uniforms and the various articles on display in the newspapers. The Memory Museum, as its name suggests, keeps a record of past events (in this case, during the Second World War) so that we can learn from them for the future. It’s a place that will take you on a journey with a wealth of exhibits and historical information on the period, and you’ll come away feeling mature, having immersed yourself in the various exhibitions.