Overview
Calais is known as the home of France's busiest ferry port. The best time to visit Calais is July and August. Calais is located in the west of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northeastern France. Calais has a mild and temperate climate.
Statistics
Location: Department of Pas-de-Calais
International Dialing code: 33
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October)
Average temperatures (January): 2.8°C
Average temperatures (July): 18.5°C
Official Language: French
Currency
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Calais, France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
1.00 GBP = 1.13 EUR
1.00 USD = 0.69 EUR
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 17 - free call
Fire service : 18 – free call
Ambulance : 15 – free call
Attractions
Htel de Ville
La Forteresse de Mimoyecques
Foret d'Eperlecques
Musée de la Guerre
Nightlife
If you’re searching for some tawdry fun, the Casino de Tourquet, located on the Rue Royale, is a great tourist vacation if you want a bit of holiday flutter on blackjack or roulette. They have monthly dance cabarets that include dinner, so if it really takes your fancy, book your trip around it.
Shopping
At Place d'Armes and Rue Royale, you'll find rows of shops selling clothing, chocolates, wine, cheeses, and other delicacies. La Maison du Fromage et des Vins is reputed to carry one of the best selections of wines and cheeses. On the outskirts of Calais there is Cité Europe, a huge shopping complex with a games arcade, bars restaurants, and a multiplex cinema. Located next to Cité Europe is L'Usine, a factory outlet centre for higher-end brands. These are both built on land next to the Channel Tunnel terminal.
Hotels
A port city, Calais is the predominant ferry crossing point between England and France. As such, many of the city's hotels feature cruises and ferry trips specifically designed for tourists.
If you decide to stay in Calais itself, there is plenty of accommodation available, although it can be a bit difficult finding a room during the high season if you haven’t booked ahead. The tourist office offers a free booking service for all types of accommodation. It is located at 12 Boulevard Clemenceau. From June to August, the office is open from Monday through Saturday from 09:00 to 19:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00; and from September to May on Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:30.
Resturants
The Pas-de-Calais region has elegant restaurants and a colorful nightlife centered on its cafes and bars.
The Place d'Armes contains eateries catered toward tourists. There are ample self-service and fast-food outlets located near the beach. Gaelic-themed pubs are profuse from the Rue Royale to Rue de la Mer.
The Cafe de Paris on Rue Royale is a brasserie offering inexpensive plats du jour, popular with both locals and tourists. The stylish Le Channel, on Boulevard de la Resistance is known mostly for its desserts and views of the many yachts anchored nearby. The George V on Rue Royale is another ritzy brassiere located on Rue Royale. However, the Le St. Charles, located on the Place d'Armes, is considered the premium restaurant in Calais, featuring both traditional French and Italian dishes.
