Introduction
The Pas-de-Calais is surrounded by the English Channel and the North Sea. The region is very often ignored by tourists as they hurtle south. Just a short hop across the Channel, Pas-de-Calais is a region of contrasts; woods, meadows, hills, rivers, beaches and cliffs, small villages and larger towns with wonderful markets and interesting museums to explore.
History
The Pas-de-Calais has been inhabited since prehistoric times by Celts, Romans, Franks and Saxons to name but a few. The place names bear testament to the fact that the inhabitants have spoken a mixture of Romance and Dutch dialects. It was one of the original 83 departments created after the French Revolution. Many of the most bloody battles of the First World War were fought here.
Major cities
- Calais
- Boulogne-sur-mer
- St Omer
Weather
Average temperature in Pas-de-Calais| Period | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|
| January-March | 2-7 | 36-44 |
| April-June | 7-16 | 44-61 |
| July-September | 12-21 | 54-70 |
| October-December | 4-10 | 39-50 |
Beaches
The Pas-de-Calais coastline covers dunes, rocky bays and long flat sandy beaches. Le Touquet is a very attractive resort with miles of golden sand, whilst Wissant's 12km beach is arguably the premier beach in the area, sheltered by the two capes, Cap Blanc and Gris. Wimereux also has a fine beach, but at high tide it is covered by the sea and the waves tend to splash on to the promenade. Calais itself has a beautiful beach, so if you have time to kill before catching the ferry you will enjoy the miles of fine sand.
Tourist attractions
Arras, prefecture of Pas-de-Calais, is an attractive town with its cathedral, squares and the noteworthy Hotel de Ville, but even more picturesque is Montreuil-sur-mer. No longer "sur-mer" due to the silting up of the estuary, it has picturesque cobbled streets, a lovely square and miles of ramparts which can be explored. St-Omer is also an interesting town with a series of squares opening one on to another. It is also possible to visit the crystal factory at Arques, 2 km from St-Omer.
Family entertainment
For families who are tired of the beach, a trip to the Nausicaa Aquarium in Boulogne is a must. There are all sorts of exciting things for children to do; stroking starfish and rays, standing under a glass tunnel with sharks swimming above you, and a simulated 3D deep sea dive. The Aqualud complex at Le Touquet is also worth a visit - a huge glass pyramid heated to a very pleasant 29 degrees with giant toboggans, jacuzzis, rivers and a wave machine. Bagatelle Amusement Park between Boulogne and Le Touquet offers roller-coasters and other rides, log flumes and rafting, and provides an excellent day out for families with 7-14 year-olds.
Museums, galleries and culture
Many important battles took place in this area during the two World Wars and a visit to the War museums and immaculately tended graves is a moving and sobering experience. A good starting point is the beautiful Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge. La Coupole near St-Omer is a well presented military museum, but wrap up well because part of it is underground. In Calais, the Fine Arts and Lace Museum is worth a visit.
Shopping
Near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel is the vast shopping centre, the Cite de Europe. This is where most Brits stock up on cheap wine and other French goodies before heading home. If you want to play safe, head to Tescos where the staff all speak English and will advise you on your choice of wine. It is possible to order your wine ahead and have it waiting for you to collect.
Much more fun though is to go into Calais itself where the rue Royale is good for chocolates, patisserie and charcuterie. If you are a cheese lover, you must not miss Philippe Olivier in the rue Thiers in Boulogne. He supplies cheeses to most of the top restaurants in France and usually has about 300 varieties in stock.
An integral part of a holiday in France has to be shopping at the local market where the best and freshest seasonal produce is available. One of the best is the Arras market, although most French towns have one on at least one day of the week.
Walking
This area provides a variety of walking terrain; coastal paths, forest trails and riverside walks, many of them part of the national Grande Randonnee footpaths.
Golf
There are several challenging courses in the region. Particularly attractive are Wimereux, with its spectacular cliff-top views, and Le Touquet, which takes you through pine forest and dunes (both are 36 holes).
Other activities
Sailing opportunities abound along the coast, while the long flat beach at Le Touquet is good for sand yachting. The French are keen cyclists and there are many attractive trails for mountain-bikers. The two Nature Parks of Adomarois and Boulonnais provide wooded hillsides, lakes and streams. For horse riders, the miles of flat sands and the country trails and hills around Boulogne provide excellent riding conditions.
Food and drink
This part of France is famous not only for its meat, being rich farming land and game such as hare, venison and wild boar, but also for its fish. The Channel fishing fleet supplies the whole of France with plaice, turbot and bass, and the rivers of the area are full of trout. Being close to Belgium, mussels and chips are a favorite dish and the caudiers de pichons is the local equivalent of the Mediterranean fish dish bouillabaisse. The local cheeses such as Dauphin and Roller are strong in flavour, especially Vieux Ponant or Old Stinker! There are also many locally brewed beers to accompany your meal. For a special occasion, a meal at the Michelin starred restaurant at the Chateau de Montreuil is not to be missed.
Ease of access
Calais is a short hop across the channel, taking just over an hour by ferry from Dover or a mere 35 mins by Eurotunnel from Folkestone. If you prefer to travel by train, it is possible to take the Eurostar from Waterloo and be in Calais in 1hr 40 minutes.
Value for money
With travel costs to the region very reasonable and accommodation available to suit all budgets, the Pas-de-Calais provides good value for money. Eating out and even fine wines are cheap in comparison to the UK.
Summary
The Pas-de-Calais is an ideal destination for those who don't require sizzling temperatures and don't want a long drive when you get off the ferry. The beaches are big enough to never feel crowded and there is plenty of cultural interest in the towns.
