Calais

For other places with the same name, see Calais (disambiguation). Calais (Dutch: Kales) 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 (La Manche) just 32 km away. The town has a major cross-Channel ferry port, and the French entrance to the Channel Tunnel is nearby. Understand Calais is very popular with British day-trippers arriving by ferry or on Channel Tunnel shuttle trains: one reason being due to the fact that France has lower taxes on alcohol and tobacco than the UK. Large warehouse supermarkets have sprung up on the outskirts of Calais just to serve these British "booze cruisers" who return to the UK with their car suspensions groaning under the weight of cheap alcohol and cigarettes. While most tourists view the town as simply a port where one can buy cheap alcohol, cigarettes and groceries, there is more than that. Get in By ferry Calais is connected to Dover in England by ferry services operated by P&O Ferries [1], DFDS Seaways [2] and MyFerryLink [3]. Ferry crossings between Dover and Calais take typically around 1 hour 30 mins and, combined between the operators, there are up to 41 sailings daily. The check-in time is 30 minutes before departure for vehicles and 45 minutes before departure for foot passengers. Foot passengers arriving by ferry can make use of the shuttle bus run by P&O Ferries. The shuttle buses run hourly from 10:00-19:00, are marked ‘Terminal Car Ferry/Centre Ville’ and link the ferry terminal with Gare Calais-Ville and Place d’Armes. Bear in mind that foot passengers are not allowed on services operated by DFDS Seaways and MyFerryLink, and can only travel on P&O services between the hours of 08:45-19:05 between Dover and Calais and 07:05-20:55 between Calais and Dover. The Strait of Dover is one of the most frequented shipping lanes in the world. The Calais ferry port allows easy access to the town itself as well as the warehouse supermarkets outside the town. Free car parking facilities are available in front of the Calais ferry terminal and the maximum stay is three days. Another popular ferry route is Dover to Dunkirk (near Calais) which is operated by DFDS Seaways and takes around 2 hours. This route is popular due to the fact that the nearby town of Adinkerke (in Belgium) has lower taxes on tobacco than both France and the UK, thus British day-trippers have convenient access to both cheap tobacco and alcohol rather than just the latter via this ferry route. Passengers travelling by ferry from Dover to Calais/Dunkirk go through French passport/identity card checks in the UK before embarkation, rather than on arrival in France. Passengers travelling in the other direction from Calais/Dunkirk to Dover by ferry go through French exit checks and UK passport/identity card checks in Calais/Dunkirk before embarkation, and UK customs checks on arrival in the UK. Fares for the Dover-Calais ferry vary heavily, depending on which company you book with and when you travel. As a typical example, if booked online, P&O charge £35 for a single, £28 for a 3-day return and £45 for a 5-day return for a car and up to 9 passengers. Tickets can be booked directly through the company websites or via AFerry.co.uk and Ferrysavers.co.uk. By train Tour Bus, in a train car, in the Chunnel Eurostar Eurostar [4] operates high-speed trains between Calais Fréthun station and the following destinations in the United Kingdom and Belgium: London St Pancras International station (1h 2 min; 3 daily from London; 2-3 daily to London) Ebbsfleet International station (44 min; 2 daily from Ebbsfleet; 1-2 daily to Ebbsfleet) Ashford International station (35 min; 1 daily from Ashford) Brussels Zuid-Midi station (1h 2 min; 2-3 daily from Brussels; 3 daily to Brussels) Note that Calais Fréthun station is some distance from Calais city centre, but there are a number of trains operating between Calais Fréthun and Calais Ville (in the city centre), as well as shuttle buses and taxis. The Eurostar timetable is available from their website [5]. Passengers travelling by Eurostar from the UK to Calais go through French passport/identity card checks in the UK before boarding the train, rather than on arrival in France. Passengers travelling in the other direction from Calais to the UK by Eurostar go through French exit checks, followed by UK passport/identity card checks in Calais Fréthun station before boarding the train, and UK customs checks on arrival in the UK. Those travelling by Eurostar between Brussels and Calais are within the Schengen Area, however passengers are still subject to UK immigration controls. Although the Brussels Midi-Calais Fréthun route can't be purchased through the Eurostar website, it is available on the Belgian Railways website [6]. Eurostar fares start from £66 return (under 26) and £69 return (adults) from the UK to Calais [7]. Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle) Running from Folkestone to the western edge of Calais (Coquelles), this car shuttle service operated by Eurotunnel [8] takes about 35 min (although only about 20 min of the journey is in the tunnel) and offers the fastest way to travel between the UK and Calais. This train service is for passengers with cars only, who remain with their car for the duration of the short trip. There are toilet facilities onboard. Passengers travelling from Folkestone to Calais go through French passport/identity card checks in the UK before boarding the train, rather than on arrival in France. Those travelling in the other direction from Calais to the UK by Eurotunnel go through UK passport/identity card and customs checks in Coquelles before boarding the train, rather than on arrival in the UK. SNCF Running from Lille, Boulogne, Dunkirk and Paris, Calais is well supported by the French national rail network [9]. Calais Ville is the station serving the city centre, whilst Calais Fréthun is located on the outskirts of Calais. There are trains that operate between Calais Ville and Calais Fréthun stations. By road Calais is directly linked to the French autoroute system. The two autoroutes that serve Calais are the A26/E15 (Autoroute des Anglais), which provides access to the heart of France (including Paris and beyond) and the A16/E40, a gateway to the Benelux and the northern European motorway systems. The A16/E402 also directs you to western France, including Boulogne. By bus Eurolines [10] operate daily buses from Paris, Lyon and London to Calais. Some services from London also stop at/near Gillingham, Canterbury, Folkestone and/or Dover en route. The Eurolines stop in Calais varies - services which operate across the Channel via the tunnel stop at the Cite Europe shopping centre, whereas the services which use the ferry stop at the ferry terminal. Megabus [11] operate buses from Paris, London and Birmingham to nearby Boulogne, with through fares available from the company's network in the UK. Despite the fact that Megabus services use the ferry from Dover to Calais, they do not stop in Calais itself; hence if one is travelling from the UK it makes more sense to travel by other means. An alternative option for travellers from the UK is to take a National Express [12] coach from London to Dover (Ferry Port bus stop) and board the ferry as a foot passenger. This is usually slightly more expensive than the Eurolines service but gives the advantage of more times to travel to/from Calais per day. Get around Most people travel by car around the town, but there is a comprehensive network of buses running from the town centre to the suburbs and Cité Europe. The port is served by a special shuttle bus, although via a footbridge the centre and the harbour terminal are only 15 min apart. Bus 5 is useful for reaching the large Auchan and Carrefour hypermarkets and the Cite Europe shopping mall and the 6 goes to Calais-Frethun station. Services run every 30 min during the day and costs €1 per ticket, €3 for a day pass or €7.50 for 10 tickets - board through the front door and pay the driver. All buses terminate outside the Gare de Calais-Ville. There is a free minibus service called Balad’in, which runs in the centre of Calais. The buses are bright yellow/blue and easy to spot. They stop at yellow Balad’in bus stops. The buses operate from 0900 to 1900, Monday to Saturday and operate every 12 minutes. The route goes from the town centre (Bld Lafayette) to the marina (Bld des Alliés). Timetables for all buses can be found here [13]. See Rodin's Artwork outside the town hall The 2 parcs : Have a look around the Parc Saint-Pierre to see nice typical bow windows houses The town Hall : Get in, and go upstairs through the majestous staircase to the first floor and the wedding room, the ballroom, and the "parlement" room. Self visit (signs to read) or guided tour by Opale Tour. End 2010 it will be possible to climb the Belfry with an elevator. Light Tower : Visit and climb up to the light. Wonderful view. Little museum. Cité Internationale de la dentelles et de la mode : An old manufactury refurbished in a "living" museum about the story of the lace, and especially the mechanic lace made in Calais on levers. You can see 2 machines working for real. Restaurant, bar and lace shop. Really worth to do. You need at least 2 h to see it. 03 21 00 42 30 [14] Modern Art museum : 25 rue Richelieu, permanent and temporary exhibitions. Sculpture, paintings. Great expo from George Rousse untill end of January. War museum : Parc Saint Pierre in front the Town Hall, located in a real bunker Theater : Place Albert Ier, guided tours by Opale Tour Le Channel, Scène Nationale : Shows, Library, restaurant, in a former slaughterhouse. Really worth a visit for the archictecture / www.lechannel.org Notre Dame Church : unfortunatelly in refurbishment. Courgain Maritime and fish market : A former fishermen quarter outside the walls of the city. Rebuild after the war, but nice palce to buy fresh fish and have a drink. The beach and the jetty : To have a look on the ferries playing the route between France and Britain The White Cliffs of Dover : In the distance Citadelle and Fort Nieulay : Renaissance fort with guided tours Do Swimming pool (Piscine Ranson or ICEO complex), to the skating rink (Iceo) Char à voile, base des Hemmes de Marck Sailing school : Base de voile, Blériot-Plage (coast road to Sangatte) Cinemas : Alhambra (beside Town Hall, VOSTF films !) or Gaumont Multiplex (Cité Europe) Bowlings : Bowling de Calais , avecnue de St6exupéry or Bowling quai 121, (Cité Europe) Visit the Coast up to "Cap Blanc Nez" (White Nose Cap), Unesco Classified site. If you have no car, you can take the bus (double-decker) at the theater or the station for 1 € there along the see road. Really cool. Exhibitions La cours d'artistes : 294 grande rue du petit courghain, 62100 Calais 0660846363, [15] Mondiavision : galerie de photos , rue du Vauxhall, Calais Buy Money As is the case in the rest of France (and most of Europe), the sole official currency is the euro (EUR, €). However, many shops frequented by tourists (particularly the alcohol-selling warehouse supermarkets on the outskirts of the city) also accept the pound sterling (GBP, £). Shops Cité Europe [16] - Large shopping centre containing 147 shops, 20 restaurants, a 12-screen cinema and a bowling alley. Located next to the Channel Tunnel terminal (Junction 41 or 42 on the A16). Note that the shops do not sell tobacco and are also closed on Sundays, except for the five Sundays before Christmas and the first Sunday after Christmas. Alcohol – since France has lower taxes on alcohol than the UK, various establishments have set up to cater for British day-trippers; although sometimes it can be a little cheaper to go to a local hypermarket (and you can also pick up groceries). The main hypermarkets are Auchan and Carrefour, the latter within the Cité Europe shopping centre, and can both be reached on bus 5. In the town centre, there is a smaller Carrefour located at the back of the Quatre Boulevards shopping centre (near the Opéra). Markets - Place Crevecœur on Thursdays and Saturdays - Place d'Armes on Saturdays Lace : three places worth a visit - Museum shop - Boutique Noyon : 85 rue de Vic - 62100 Calais Tel : 03 21 46 78 04, www.noyonboutique.com / old factory turned into a designer shop - Les dessous de Calais : Boulevard Lafayette - 62100 Calais tel: 03 21 97 59 16 : outlet design shop for lingery and clothes with great discounts ! Eat Baba ô Rhum - 5, Rue André Gerschell - 62100 Calais - Tel: 0321 96 51 27‎ : no more food but great bar. Au Cadre Vert - 3 Rue André Gerschell - 62100 Calais Tel: 0321 34 69 44 : for people who are really hungry, best quantity/quality value. Worth a visit for Christiane. La Guinguette - 17 rue Félix Cadras - 62100 Calais Tel: 0321 36 96 95 : Home Food, family atmosphere , best quantity/quality value. Open 7/7 L'Ambrosia - 14 Rue de la Mer - 62100 Calais - Tel : 0321 36 09 89 : Wok specialist but not Asiatic with good value and price. L'Hovercraft - Boulevard Clemenceau - 62100 Calais - Tel : 0321 34 59 73 : bar and brasserie - The largest choice of "welsh" dishes (speciality from Calais/Boulogne) - Open late - Big terrace Le Melting potes - 2 Rue Jean de Vienne - 62100 Calais - Tel : 0321 19 11 46. New restaurant with more than 50 dishes from France and abroad. Cheap and ok Chocolat'Thé - 53 rue Royale - 62100 Calais - 0321 34 34 85 : great home made food and excellent place for a Tea/coffee break in the afternoon Friterie des Nations - Parking de la plage - 62100 Calais : Some chips in front of the see Friterie Wilson - Avenue Wilson (Parc Saint-Pierre)- 62100 Calais : may be the best chips in town - near Town Hall and railways Station New Way - 3 rue Babinet (Place Crevecoeur) - 62100 Calais Tel: 0321 85 02 13 : fresh Sandwiches, Soups, Pastas and salads you can create by your own For a lot more infos, have a look on the Couchsurfing Wiki Page of Calais. [17] Drink Le Baba O Rum - Rue Gerschell - 62100 Calais La Mauvaise Herbe - Rue Royale - 62100 Calais L'Arsenic - Rue Royale - 62100 Calais Le bar du Yacht Club - Bassin Ouest - 62100 Calais : nice 1980s music... particular atmosphere Le n'importe koi - Rue de la mer - 62100 Calais : concert every sunday afternoon. You can borrow free games to play inside. La Suite - Rue Jean Quéhen - 62100 Calais : night bar : to carry on after Baba ou Mauvaise herbe Le 555 - rue Royale - 62100 Calais : old but famous disco ... La Nauvia - Rue Jean Quéhen - 62100 Calais : disco Le Temple - Sortie Calais ST Pierre - 62100 Calais : best disco Le Casino de Calais - 59 rue Royale - 62100 Calais : slot machines, blackjack Le Channel Scène Nationale - 173 Boulevard Gambetta - 62100 Calais - 0321467710 or www.lechannel.org : Former slaughtery house , refurbished in a huge cultural center with various rooms, café, resto, bookstore. This is a really great place. Sleep Auberge de Jeunesse de Calais - Avenue du Maréchal DeLattre de Tassigny - 62100 Calais Tel :0321 34 70 20 / email : adjcalais@wanadoo.fr .... Youth hostel, but no age limit with private room. really close to the beach. Nice place Au mouton Blanc - 44 rue du Vauxhall - 62100 Calais - Tel :0321 34 71 52 / near the theater and 4B shopping center ... family owned ... Guide du routard recommended Cope Consulates Greece, 12, Boulevard des Alliés, BP 450, ☎ +33 321-972700 (fax: +33 321-974159).  edit Contact Get out To hitchhike to Belgium or the Netherlands, if you leave the terminal, you must walk 500 m through a large car park, after which you will see roundabout and an on-ramp to the motorway. That is the place to hitch a ride: there is enough space even for a big lorry. For a more 'traditional' experience of France, Saint-Omer is a mere 26 miles (43 kilometres) down the road from Calais. The Saturday morning market on the main square, the Place Foch, can be enjoyable. There are also good affordable restaurants and friendly bars, as well as interesting architecture. Other options: Ardres — for the old city and its lakes Guines — with its marshes, forest and old tower Wissant — with the Le site des 2 Caps on the seaside Oye Plage — with the natural reserve of Le Platier d'Oye]] This article is an outline and needs more content. 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