Pretty French towns just across the Channel make Calais and its surroundings a must-see destination, filled with fascinating sights and fantastic restaurants.
Well worth a stopover in its own right, Calais boasts a UNESCO-listed belfry, unique lace and fashion museum, working 19th-century lighthouse, lovely beach and great restaurants. From there it’s an easy hop to:
Discover places to visit near Calais:
Lille
Splendid architecture, excellent art museums and world-class restaurants define Lille. Make a beeline for its UNESCO-listed belfry for views over this compelling city, admire the 17th-century Stock Exchange and modern Cathédrale de la Treille, and in September, browse Europe’s largest flea-market. Art-lovers shouldn’t miss the vast Palais des Beaux-Arts or Lille Metropole Musée d’art Moderne. Read more
From Calais: 70 minutes via A16 and A25 motorways.
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Dunkirk
France’s 3rd-largest port town, Dunkirk or Dunkerque is packed with fascinating sights and fun activities for all ages, all within easy reach (a 40-minute drive) of the Dover–Calais ferry route. Read more
Saint-Omer
A mere 40 minutes by car from the Channel ferry port of Calais, the fortified historic town of Saint-Omer is often overlooked by visitors to northern France but is well worth a stop-over for its historic attractions, stunning surrounding landscapes and great dining. Read more
From Calais: 40 minutes via A26 motorway.
Arras
Firmly on art-lovers’ maps since the Louvre-Lens opened nearby in 2012, this romantic town is itself home to a fine Musée des Beaux-Arts within a former Benedictine abbey. Also high on its list of attractions are the UNESCO-listed belfry, town hall with its Gothic facade, and underground Carrière de Wellington, a World War One museum and memorial. Read more
From Calais: 70 minutes via A26 motorway.
Boulogne sur Mer
Best known as home to mighty Nausicaa aquarium, Boulogne has plenty more to detain you, whether on its fine beach or in its cobbled upper town.Sights include the Château-Musée de Boulogne (archaeology, history and fine art), Basilica of Notre Dame, with France’s longest crypt, and UNESCO-listed belfry, with views of the English coast on fine days. Restaurants on the seafront and in the upper town make wonderful use of local seafood. Read more
From Calais: 30 minutes via A16 motorway.
Le Touquet Paris Plage
Life in this classic seaside resort centres on its 7-kilometre sandy beach, but there’s also a restored lighthouse to discover (with views of Dover's white cliffs on fine days) and activities ranging from golf to sand-yachting, horse-riding in the estuary and cycling in the pine forest. The shopping’s fantastic too, whether in the Marché Couvert or on Rue Saint-Jean with its fashion and homeware boutiques and tempting boulangeries.Read more
From Calais: 45 minutes via A16 in direction of Boulogne, exiting at Junction 26 at Etaples and following signs to Le Touquet.
Montreuil-sur-Mer
In the days of horse-drawn travel, Montreuil-sur-Mer – now an easy hour’s drive from Calais - was a coaching stop en route from London to Paris. Now, with ironwork lanterns still lighting up the coach-size doorways of tall rust-brick townhouses, you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the set of an atmospheric 19th century period drama. Read more
From Calais: 1 hour via A16 motorway.
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
Just 1hr 15mins from Calais and near to the A16 motorway, Saint Valery sur Somme is a delightful seaside resort overlooking the Somme Bay. It has an exceptional view of the Somme Bay from its quayside alongside the Somme or even from the heights of the old town to the cobbled alleys. Read more
UNESCO listed Amiens Cathedral, the Hortillonnages floating gardens, Jules Verne's House and much more make Amiens and great choice for a French short break. Read more
From Calais: 1 hour and a half via A16 motorway.
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