The English ruled Calais for almost years, from until , and rich, turbulent histories seep out of every caramel-yellow brick, UNESCO-listed belfry and dot of sand. Calais beach β a seemingly endless swathe of powder-soft gold ribboned with several hundred ancestral beach huts from the s β is breathtaking. Kids love it! Traveling in France with kids? Here are some of the country's best family experiences. Plan your visit to this often overlooked destination with our guide to Calais for first-timers.
Traveling beyond Calais? Here's our guide to getting around in France. Summer β June to early September β is heaps of fun. Expect festive exuberance, a party vibe and bracing sea dips in spades. Accommodation rates, at their peak in July and August, drop off in the shoulder seasons β May, June and September β making it a good time for budget travelers. In winter Calais essentially sleeps. Allow two or three days to soak up the main sights. Weekenders, commence your Calais deep-dive atop Phare de Calais β the only French lighthouse to hold sentry in the middle of a town.
Day two, devote a few hours to your pick of museums and monuments then return to the seashore. Ferries and the Eurotunnel connect Calais with Dover and Folkestone respectively, on the coast of south England. Calais itself is small and easily walkable. If you prefer to ride the bus, there's extra good news β all local public transportation in Calais is free!
Create an account in advance online and download the app to unlock wheels and check bikes available in real time. To avoid disappointment ferries fill up fast year-round , buy tickets well in advance online. Quotas are per adult, not vehicle.
Lumbering along the seafront on the back of a Or mount a minotaur in Toulouse. End with takeaway frites fries in paper and merguez spicy sausages or fricadelle meatballs from Friterie des Nations Digue Gaston Berthe. The legendary seaside kiosk sells kg lbs of fries a day in high season, twice-fried in vegetable oil as tradition demands and doused in brown vinegar.
