About Calais

Like Dover, Calais is one of the world's busiest passenger and vehicle ferry ports. As the closest landing point in France, Calais has long been the port of passage across the Channel to England.

If you've crossed by ferry or eurotunnel, it's amazing how different a place can be when it's so close. Calais has plenty to offer, you can enjoy the cultural heritage of traditional French restaurants and despite the town having been flattened in two 20th century wars, you can also find a lot of surviving glimpses into its fascinating past - if you know where to look.

Calais is ideal for cheap day trips from Dover, stock up on the duty-free on a booze cruise!

You can get across the channel to Calais from Dover, with Hoverspeed, P & O or with Sea France.

The medieval walled town of Calais was surrounded by canals that formed a moat - you can still see these today. The Place d'Armes was the main square in the centre - the 13th century watchtower still stands in one corner from which the lookout would search the horizon for approaching enemies.

Another reminder is the church of Notre Dame. Its nave dates back to the 13th century and it was completed during the English occupation. The old harbour lay under the town walls - now used as a marina for pleasure boats.