Ferries to Calais
Calais Since being effectively flattened during the Second World War, Calais consists of two distinct areas: Calais-Nord, the old town rebuilt after the war and, separated from it by canals, Calais-Sud. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department’s préfecture (capital) resides in its third-largest city of Arras. Calais overlooks the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point in the English Channel, which is only 34 km (21 miles) wide here, and is the closest French town to the United Kingdom. The white cliffs of Dover can easily be seen on a clear day. The old part of the town, Calais proper (or Calais-Nord), is situated on an artificial island surrounded by canals and harbours. The modern part of the town, St-Pierre, lies to the south and southeast. History Calais owes its important historical role to its geographical position. Worked and polished flints found in archaic tombs in surrounding hills indicate that this part of the continent was occupied in prehistoric times. Like many major coastal settlements, Calais started its historic life as a tiny fishermen’s village, but took off after receiving a Charter of Customs in 1181, and a Charter of Concession in 1190, due to its important strategic location. The statue of the Bourgeois de Calais records the self-sacrifice of local burghers, who offered their lives to spare the town and its citizens during the Black Prince’s siege of 1347, during the Hundred Years’ War. The town remained English until 1558. Before wartime bombing, Calais was a typical medieval walled town, surrounded by canals that can still be seen today. The Place d’Armes was the main square in the centre, and a thirteenth century watchtower still stands in one corner. Another reminder of Calais’ medieval past is the church of Notre Dame. Its nave dates 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. A model of the old town in the Municipal Museum gives an idea of what it used to look like. The origin of the name Calais is obscure. The likeliest version, because Calais is called "Caletum" on an antique map, is that the Calèteses tribe arrived there to help the local Morins tribe oppose the Roman invasion. They then established themselves and founded a colony to which they gave their name, and this changed gradually to become modern Calais. What to See & Do in Calais
