Calais is the closest French city to England, with the port and white cliffs of Dover, England, just 34 km (21 miles) away, quite visible on a clear day (map).

Being so close, Calais is logically a major port for ferryboats across the English Channel (La Manche), and also where the Channel Tunnel ("Chunnel") emerges from underground to send its Eurostar high-speed trains to Lille, Paris and Brussels.

A ferry heads for the Port of Calais...

The Port of Calais is the town's most important industry, and although Calais has its interesting points, to most travelers it is a transit point on the way to somewhere else.

But because it is an important transit point, Calais has a fine selection of hotels and guest houses. You can easily find what you want in the way of lodgings. More...

Among the things to see and do in Calais (in addition to the Port) are several museums, the beautiful Hôtel de Ville, Rodin's statue of the Burghers of Calais, lovely golden sand beaches, and a variety of parks, monuments, and plazas.

Both TGV high-speed trains and TER regional trains serve Calais, using two different train stations. More...

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