Calais Lighthouse

Calais’s long-standing role as a major port has made it vital to maritime navigation. Before the current lighthouse was built, sailors were guided by the old Watch Tower on Place d’Armes. In 1848, a brand-new lighthouse was built—though not in the spot you’d expect. Instead of being perched out on a pier, it was placed right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, which meant reshaping parts of the city to make room. Here’s where it gets interesting: when they were digging the foundations, workers reportedly discovered two skeletons buried in the ground. This discovery sparked eerie rumors that the small hill beneath the lighthouse was haunted. The tall white tower, marked by a single black stripe, somehow survived both world wars almost unscathered. It was designated a historic monument in 2011. Although the days of lighthouse keepers are behind us, you can still visit the site. On clear days, climb to the top for sweeping 360-degree views over Calais and the surrounding countryside.