Courgain Maritime District

A simple row of houses, a small dock, a basin that dries up at low tide—it may not look spectacular at first glance. But Courgain Maritime is the heart and soul of Calais’s maritime heritage. Known as the Paradise Basin, this small inlet has been in use since the 12th century and once welcomed up to 100 ships. It’s the city’s oldest surviving harbor area, and even today, local fishermen gather here in the early morning before heading to sell their catch at Minck Square. Courgain Maritime has been home to Calais’s sea folk since the 9th century. But when city fortifications were built in 1226, the neighborhood was left outside the walls—geographically and socially. Over time, its residents developed strong bonds and traditions. Marriages between Courguinois were the norm, and life revolved entirely around the sea. Men fished while women worked the home—and collected sandworms for bait. The Courguinoises were known for their warmth and generosity, but also for their fiery tempers and occasional fights! Heavily bombed during both World Wars, the district was almost entirely destroyed during the second. Only some facades could be saved. It was rebuilt postwar, and though different in appearance, its spirit lives on. Fishermen, sailors, lifeboat crews—even privateers—have all called Courgain Maritime home. Today, it’s a must-see for visitors to Calais, full of character and tradition, with its maritime soul still shining strong.