Whether just shopping, on business or a short break you'll soon
discover why France and the surrounding country have much more to offer than you expected.
Calais has a huge choice of
shops: three hypermarkets, half a dozen supermarkets and in the town centre a variety of
independent, family-run shops, as well as two colourful markets, both open on Saturdays.
While for many British visitors shopping in Calais means
buying lots of cheap beer, wine and spirits at the out-of-town hypermarkets and Cite
Europe shopping complex, an increasing number find shopping in the town a much more
rewarding experience.
Choose from a mouth watering selection of chocolates, bread,
cheese and charcuterie in specialist shops. Don't just window shop but buy designer label
clothes and lingerie in chic boutiques. Pick-up bargains of china, glass, linen, luggage,
even DIY products.
And once you've finished shopping get a taste of the real
France - Calais has an excellent choice of restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets.
Specially recommended are 13 restaurants in the town, on the coast and in the nearby
country, who are members of the Toques D'Opale, The Quality Club of Calais restaurants.
For a longer visit Calais is a perfect base for a short
break. It is on the doorstep of a breathtaking coastline with mile upon mile of huge empty
beaches of fine white sand interrupted only by the tall cliffs of Cap Blanc Nez and Cap
Gris Nez.
On the seaward side the village of Wissant has a huge beach,
ideal for wind and water sports. Audreselles is famous for its unusual fishing boats which
when not in use, are parked, car fashion, outside their owners houses. Another fishing
village, Ambleteuse boasts a fine fort built by the famous French military
engineer,Vauban.
Head inland and drive through a countryside of rolling hills,
small river valleys and forests. High standard, modestly priced accommodation and
restaurants to suit most pockets and tastes can be found throughout the area to offer a
taste of the real France.
A network of small roads lead to villages such as Guines,
near the Field of the Cloth of Gold, the famous meeting place in 1520 for Henry VIII and
Francis I of France, while the pretty town of Ardres has for decades been a popular en
route stopover for British holidaymaker's.
Nearby is Licques, a charming village with a superb Gothic
church, famous for its production of fine turkey, highlighted in December in an annual
turkey parade. Eperlecques is notable for a giant World War II bunker, where V2 rockets
were built and launched and revive your spirits at Houle, where you can discover the
locally produced eau de vie.
For
more information on Calais click here.
Should you travel on the Eurotunnel or drive to Paris enjoy a
few of the many attractions in Paris.
Channel Ferries recommend the following Parisian
attractions:-
Musée de Louvre
- 99 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001
First opened during the revolution in 1793. With over 300,000 artworks, antiquities,
sarcophagi and statues including the incredible Venus de Milo, the Louvre is a truly
unmissable experience.
Champs-Elysées & Arc de
Triomphe - Champs Elysées, Paris 75008
Voie Triomphale is an excellent place to begin a walking tour of central Paris. Napoleon's
tribute to the French army, the Arc de Triomphe offers splendid views at the centre of the
world's first traffic roundabout with the Voie Triomphale and Champs -Elysees descending
elegantly to the Louvre and Place de la Concorde respectively.
Eiffel Tower -
Champs de Mars, Paris 75007
The most spectacular views of Paris are witnessed from all floors of the Eiffel Tower. It
is possible to walk most of the way up and around this fascinating metal structure. A lift
completes the journey to the top.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Place du Parvis Notre Dame, Paris 75004
Begun in 1163 but not completed until 1361, it fell into ruin after the revolution but was
brought back to life after the success of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel. The addition of the
gargoyles, spire and self-sculpture by architect Eugene Voillet-le Duc remain areas of
contention.
Place de la Concorde
- Place de la Concorde, Paris 75008
Very busy landmark square at the end of the Champs Elysees. A true Parisian experience. |
