Things to do in Calais
Looking for a unique stopover or a weekend escape? Calais is much more than just a gateway to France – it’s a city where history, culture, wide open beaches and family-friendly attractions await. Whether you’re here for a few hours or a few days, take time to explore its heritage, its stunning coastline and its lively town centre.
Discover what makes Calais the perfect destination for your next trip to France, with a variety of experiences, just a 10 to 15 minute drive from the LeShuttle Calais terminal in Coquelles.
Calais Beach & The Dragon
Calais Beach stretches for miles along the Opal Coast, offering vast sands perfect for sunbathing, playing or simply strolling by the sea. This family-friendly beach features free solarium areas, one of the largest skateparks in Europe, and multiple play zones for children - making it a lively and inclusive place all year round. Even better, parking is free, so you can save your budget for what really matters: enjoying local treats.
Take a break to savour a delicious artisanal ice cream cone or indulge in a classic paper-wrapped cone of French fries, a much-loved local tradition by the sea. On a clear day, the White Cliffs of Dover appear on the horizon, adding to the charm of this wide-open coastline.
The Dragon of Calais. Credit: Nohcab Calais XXL
But what truly makes the seafront magical is the Calais Dragon, a 10-metre-tall mechanical creature. Built by the world-renowned La Machine company, this spectacular dragon breathes smoke, roars to life, and takes passengers on an unforgettable 45-minute journey along the promenade. From the dragon’s terrace, you’ll discover Calais from a whole new perspective, where art, engineering and storytelling blend in a poetic adventure for all ages.
The newly redeveloped seafront is the perfect place to walk, play, relax and watch the world go by. The Dragon crosses paths with visitors daily, turning every stroll along the promenade into a memorable encounter.
Town Hall & The Burghers of Calais
Step into the heart of Calais’ history with a visit to the Town Hall and its UNESCO-listed belfry. Built in the early 20th century in neo-Flemish style, this red-brick masterpiece is one of the region’s most beautiful civic buildings.
Climb the 76-metre-high belfry - either by lift or staircase - to enjoy stunning views over the city rooftops, the port and the Opal Coast countryside. Inside, stained-glass windows and carved details reflect Calais’ rich heritage, including the 1921 wedding of Charles de Gaulle.
In front of the Town Hall stands Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Burghers of Calais, commemorating an episode of courage and sacrifice during the Hundred Years’ War. This moving work of art is a powerful reminder of Calais’ proud past.
Rodin's The Burghers of Calais. Credit: Nohcab - Calais XXL
Cap Blanc Nez & Natural Beaches
For nature lovers, Cap Blanc Nez is one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the French coast. These towering white cliffs, part of the Deux-Caps Grand Site, offer hiking trails with panoramic views over the Channel. Take a walk through the meadows and coastal paths, watch for seabirds soaring overhead, and if the skies are clear, you’ll spot the coast of Kent on the horizon. The nearby beaches at Escalles and Sangatte are perfect for a peaceful picnic or a bracing paddle in the waves. The free parking here also makes it a good place to begin a day hike into the cliffs as you won’t have to worry about time.
Further along the coast, discover the wild dunes and tidal marshes of the Hemmes de Marck, a hidden gem for walkers and photographers. This is the Opal Coast at its most authentic, where nature and sea meet in perfect harmony.
Cap Blanc Nez delivers unmissable views of the Opal Coast. Credit: Nohcab - Calais XXL
Calais Museum of Lace & Fashion
Calais has been world-famous for its lace-making since the 19th century, and the Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode brings this history to life in a spectacular way.
Set in a beautifully restored lace factory, the museum houses working Leavers looms – some of the last in Europe – alongside collections of haute couture garments and contemporary fashion. Regular exhibitions celebrate designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Iris van Herpen, showing how Calais lace continues to inspire modern creativity. IInteractive displays and hands-on workshops make this a fascinating visit for families, fashion enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
A major highlight this year is the exhibition “Yiqing Yin: Air and Dreams”, dedicated to the Chinese-born designer Yiqing Yin, the first Chinese woman officially recognised as a Haute Couture designer in France. Her ethereal, sculptural creations blend fine craftsmanship and poetic vision, creating a stunning dialogue with the delicate textures of Calais lace. This temporary exhibition reveals the intimate connection between lace, air and emotion, in a powerful tribute to creative freedom.
Calais Museum of Fine Arts
Tucked beside Richelieu Park in the city centre, the Museum of Fine Arts offers a quiet moment of culture. Its collection spans sculpture, painting and contemporary art, with a special focus on Auguste Rodin. The newly opened Rodin Gallery lets visitors admire the artist’s sketches and bronzes up close, complementing the famous Burghers statue outside the Town Hall. After your visit, stroll through the shady paths of the park or stop at a nearby café to soak up the local atmosphere.
War Museum 39-45
Few places tell the story of Calais during World War II like the Musée Mémoire 39-45, housed in the longest German bunker open to the public in Europe. Hidden beneath Saint Pierre Park, this vast bunker contains immersive displays about the German occupation and the liberation of France. Authentic objects, photos, and scale models bring the period to life, with personal stories of those who lived through the conflict.
Audio guides in English provide rich context, making this a moving and educational stop for anyone interested in history.
The Fishing Quarter & Fort Risban
Calais’ maritime heritage comes alive in the Courgain Maritime, the historic fishermen’s quarter. Wander its colourful streets, watch the morning fish markets, and enjoy the laid-back pace of life by the quayside. This area of Calais was where many sailors came to live after the war. The quayside was rebuilt after extensive damage and is now a lovely place to wander and see traditional French life unfold. On the quayside of the Colonne Louis XVIII, booths are set up each morning for fishermen to sell their wares, each booth is named after the boat that went out to catch the fish. Guided walking tours are available for a reasonable price here, or you can explore at your leisure.
The Calais Lighthouse has guided sailors safely into port since 1848. Climb its 271 steps and be rewarded with one of the best panoramic views on the Opal Coast: the harbour, the seafront, the bustling city, and on clear days, the White Cliffs of Dover across the Channel. Continue your walk along the seafront to Fort Risban, an ancient fortress recently restored to welcome visitors. Once a key defensive site, it now offers peaceful views over the sea, where ships and ferries come and go throughout the day.
Shopping in Calais & Tax-Free Savings
Calais is a shopper’s paradise, combining local charm with great savings. In the heart of the town, the Rue Royale and surrounding streets are packed with artisan shops, fashion boutiques, chocolatiers and delicatessens. Pick up fine wines, cheeses and handmade gifts, or stop for lunch in one of the many friendly cafés.
Shopping and more at Cité Europe in Calais. Credit: Nohcab - Calais XXL
For serious retail therapy, head to Cité Europe, a large shopping mall with a Carrefour hypermarket, 120 stores, restaurants and a cinema, or Channel Outlet Store, offering big-brand fashion at outlet prices. Both are just a 5 minute drive from the LeShuttle Calais terminal.
Since Brexit, British residents can also enjoy tax-free shopping in France. Simply spend €100 or more in a shop, ask for a tax-free form, and scan it at the PABLO terminals before returning to the UK. You’ll receive your VAT refund quickly and easily — making Calais an ideal place to stock up on French favourites.
Explore the coast around Calais
The coastline around Calais in northern France is home to some charming villages and towns. Take a closer look at Calais by the coast.
Audresselles
Once known as Oderzelle, the commune of Audresselles is a historic part of the Pas-de-Calais department, boasting two beaches surrounded by picturesque cliffs. With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, exploring Audresselles’ past through its fascinating town centre and sea front is a wonderful way to spend a trip. It is home to traditional flobarts (small boats) that are still in use today, plus a thriving fishing culture.
It’s only natural that the local cuisine centres around seafood. Delicious fresh fish and crustaceans take pride of place on local restaurant menus, such as La Marie Galante, where you can order a whole crab (if you know how to dismantle it!) Local activities make the most of Audresselles’ natural beauty and wildlife, such as searching on foot for mussels, shrimp and crabs. If you’re the artistic type, you might want to bring your painting equipment as painters often sit with their easels on the beach. When the weather is fine, try taking a stroll along one of the marked hiking trails which line the coast – you won’t be disappointed.
Wissant
Wissant, which translates to ‘white sand’ in English, is a thriving village most famous for its vast beach. During low tide, the beach is a vast stretch of flat sand, and is perfect for sports such as windsurfing and kite flying. It’s also a great beach for kids, spend an afternoon watching your little ones running around and building sandcastles.
Much of this landscape is part of a protected area, and when driving into Wissant village you get the distinct feeling that the countryside has stayed the same for many years. While there are plenty of great restaurants and cafés, a particular treat is the gastro pub just outside of town, Le Colombier. It’s a very attractive building surrounded by picturesque countryside, and the food is delicious.
Ambleteuse
Found between Boulogne and Calais, Ambleteuse is a small town nestled right on the coast. The surrounding Caps et Marais d'Opale natural park is full of natural beauty to explore, so if you’re a fan of walking then this is the place. A popular restaurant to try in town is A L'Opale des Caps. All the food here is locally sourced, and seafood fans must try the seafood platter.
When it comes to exploring the town of Ambleteuse, there are some great historical spots found in and around town. You’ll see a 17th century fort, Fort Mahon, alongside the Slack river, while the river itself boasts many different types of flora, which is great if you want to teach little ones about nature - see how many different types of plants they can spot – but it’s important that they don’t pick any as some are quite rare! Don’t forget to visit the World War II Museum to see uniforms, weapons, and video footage from the war, a great activity for a rainy day.
Wimereux
The seaside town of Wimereux is charming. It’s still a hidden gem when compared with much of the coast around Calais and arguably has the most to offer. It’s got a stunning beach, with a scenic promenade lined with beach huts, a fantastic culinary scene and there’s even an impressive 18-hole golf course. 19th century Victorian buildings dominate much of the town centre, and on an especially clear day, you can see the white cliffs of Dover from the coast.
For activities for the whole family to enjoy try horse riding along the beach or the mini golf course just outside of town. If you’re into sports, the winds at the beach are ideal for windsurfing, sailing and sand yachting. There’s a lovely restaurant at the Hotel du Wimereux, but if you’re looking for something more casual, try Au Comptoir. They serve pizza (great for kids) and traditional Breton buckwheat crepes.
Book your trip to Calais with LeShuttle
Why not plan your next visit with LeShuttle including checking out our partner hotels right next to our Calais terminal and start your next adventure in France.
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