The grand theater
Construction of the theater began in 1903 and it was inaugurated in 1905 at the intersection of the city’s main thoroughfares. It is Baroque in style, modeled on the Palais Garnier. The façade is Louis XIV in style, decorated on the first floor with four groups of double columns between which stand four statues representing the four lyric arts. The auditorium, which has excellent acoustics, is horseshoe-shaped and has more than 900 seats spread over four galleries around a 100 m² stage.
The Statue of the de Gaulle Couple and the Place d’Armes
The Place d’Armes was the heart of medieval Calais, damaged during the last war, where a market is still held twice a week. The statue of Charles and Yvonne de Gaulle-Vendroux, created by Élisabeth Cibot, welcomes you to this square in the heart of the shops and restaurants, dominated by the new market hall with its futuristic architecture.
Calais Town Hall, the Belfry, and the Statue of the Six Burghers of Calais
Located in the heart of the city, the current city hall is a reinforced concrete building. Its construction symbolizes the union between two cities: Saint-Pierre and Calais, dating back to 1885. This monument, whose overall architecture is inspired by the neo-Flemish style, consists of three main parts:
- The main building with its facade facing west
- The openwork belfry, which rises to a height of 75 m and houses the four-faced clock and a carillon.
- The square turret attached to the south side of the main building with its bell tower
In front of City Hall stands the bronze Statue of the Six Burgesses of Calais, one of Auguste Rodin’s most famous creations.
The City of Lace and Fashion
The site has become the go-to place to learn everything there is to know about this industry that has left its mark on local history.
Lace has had such a profound influence on the city and contributed so much to shaping its southern part that this craftsmanship, a symbol of French luxury, cannot be overlooked when exploring Calais.
It is located in the heart of the Calais Sud district, formerly known as Saint Pierre before the 1885 merger with Calais. The collections are housed in a former collective factory, typical of the Calais lace industry at the end of the 19th century. In these factories, several lace-making companies could coexist, but they tried to keep their secrets hidden from their neighbors… and competitors!
Calais Majest’in
The Calais Majest’in is a free river shuttle that connects the citadel of Calais to the neighboring town of Coulogne via the Cité Internationale de la Dentelle et de la Mode (35 minutes from end to end). It’s another way to discover the city in an original way, and audio guides are available free of charge.
The Calais Lighthouse
Located in the Courgain district, the lighthouse towers over the entire city from a height of 58 meters.
Des naufrages répétés survenant près des côtes amenèrent les autorités maritimes à aménager un phare à « feux tournants » qui commença à fonctionner le 1er décembre 1818 au sommet de la tour du Guet.
In 1839, an inquiry was ordered into the project to build a new lighthouse. The location of this monument was almost Fort Risban or the East Pier, but in the end, the northern corner of the fortifications was chosen.
Construction began in 1845 and was completed on August 10, 1848. The lighthouse initially operated with an oil lamp, then a petroleum lamp, and was not electrified until 1883.
Since then, the monument has withstood the bombings of World War II and today offers a magnificent panorama of the sea, city, and countryside from the top of its 271 steps.
The Dragon of Calais
Embarquez à bord pour un voyage inoubliable
Beneath the thick crust of the Earth, deep tunnels connect the seas and continents. Sometimes these tunnels branch out and widen to the point of creating worlds inhabited by fantastical creatures… The great cities of humankind are the gateways to this buried labyrinth, opening passages that connect the underground world to ours. Since the dawn of time, these “gates” have been firmly sealed by sacred stones.
During recent work to expand the port of Calais, workers uncovered the sacred stone beneath the sea that locks the door to the North and protects the surface of the earth from buried worlds. A fantastical creature then managed to pass through the door and enter our world. The footprints found in the sand are those of a gigantic dragon…
On November 1, 2019, freed from the underground worlds, the Dragon of Calais awoke to enter the city during a grand spectacle. La Machine Company invites you on an unusual ride on the dragon’s back along the Calais seafront. www.compagniedudragon.com
Shopping in the city center, Cité Europe, and the Channel Outlet Store
Shopping enthusiasts… the Calais metropolitan area is made for you!
In the city center (there are some real gems to discover!), then the shopping areas in the west of the city, and finally the retail giants that are Cité Europe and Channel Outlet Store: your shopping trip will go from strength to strength.
To tell you more about these two heavyweights, Cité Europe is a complex of 120 shops on two levels, with a hypermarket, cinema, bowling alley, and restaurants.
Just opposite is the Channel Outlet Store, featuring around forty major fashion brands at outlet prices.
The Beaches of Calais Opal Coast
Between the cliffs of Cap Blanc Nez and the Platier d’Oye nature reserve, we are fortunate to have very large beaches with fine sand. Whatever your taste in beaches, there is something for everyone!
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy sailing, sand yachting, coastal walking, volleyball, and kitesurfing.
Hikers can admire the dunes, the long stretches of land, and the local flora on the GR 120 trail, but they can also follow in the footsteps of Louis Blériot, who took off from here to fly to England.
Or, for those who simply love to relax, you can stroll along the seawall and watch the ferries depart for Dover and its twin cliffs, the White Cliffs.
On a sunny day, it’s a pleasure to sit on this sandy cushion and enjoy the traditional homemade ice cream that has enlivened our beaches for so many years.
In summer, there are also activities on offer.
For more information: www.calais-cotedopale.com
