There's more to Calais....
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Most of our featured outlets can be reached via the excellent Calais autoroute and many day-trippers never venture into the heart of Calais. This is understandable, as on leaving the ferry, the town appears pretty bleak, with its port surrounded by industrial land. BUT, for the more adventurous or those wanting to make the most of their day out, Calais has a good deal to offer, both in terms of authentic French shopping and the cafe culture. Calais has three main shopping areas - the Place D'Armes and Rue Royale are closest to the port and the sea while Boulevard Jacquard and Boulevard La Fayette are in the south of the town past the Town Hall. The leafy, tree-lined boulevards offer a taste of French life that can be relaxing and entertaining. In particular, the pavement cafes of Boulevard La Fayette are a must for those wanting to spend some time indulging in the better things in life. The place is extremely attractive in the spring and summer, both during the day and at night time. After your meal, you can spend some hours window shopping in the wide variety of stores - often chic and sometimes cheaper than in the UK. This is not necessarily the place to stock up on beer and wine, but it makes an interesting excursion. We are pleased to include some basic information on this page to help make your visit more enjoyable. Most shops in the centre of Calais are open between 9am and 7pm (local time), Monday to Saturday. Generally they close for lunch between midday and 2pm although many independent stores now remain open at this time. Food shops such as those selling fresh bread and cakes, as well as wine stores, open on Sunday mornings. Many cafes and bars open throughout the day and on public holidays. Shops are shut on Sundays and public holidays: Tuesday 1 January - New Year's Day (Jour de l'An) Sunday 23 March - Easter (Pâques) Monday 24 March - Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) Thursday 1 May - Labour Day (Fête du Travail) and Ascension Day (Ascension catholique) Thursday 8 May - VE Day - WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945) Sunday 11 May - Whit Sunday (Pentecôte) Monday 12 May - Whit Sunday (Lundi de Pentecôte) Monday 14 July - Bastille Day (Fête nationale) Friday 15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption) Saturday 1 November - All Saints' Day (Toussaint) Tuesday 11 November - Armistice Day (Armistice 1918) Thursday 25 December - Christmas Day (Noël) Parking There is meter parking (more than 700 spaces): - At Boulevards Gambetta, Jacquard, Lafayette and Pasteur - At rue des Fontinettes - At Boulevard Clemenceau/Rue Royale/Rue de la Mer Charges apply between 09.00-12.00 and 14.00-19.00 every day (except Sundays and public holidays) as follows: 1st hour 0.50 Euro; 2nd hour 1 Euro   There are more 8,000 free parking spaces on streets close to boulevards de l'Egalite, Gambetta, Jacquard, Lafayette, Pasteur, rues Royale and de la Mer, Place Crevecoeur, Parking de la Plage, Parking de la rue du Temple and Parking lot Boulevard Lafayette Match.   Free parking is available for coaches: - At town Hall (Hotel de Ville), Place d'Armes, Quai du Rhin, - At Bassin Ouest     Some useful French for shoppers boulangeries, confiseries, pâtisseries    bakeries, cake shops    boucheries, boucheries-charcuteries    butchers    boucheries, chevalines    butchers (horse meat) librairies bookshops caravanes, mobile homes, camping-cars caravans, mobile homes, campers garages d'automobiles  car dealers crèmeries, fromageries cheese shops confiseries, chocolateries   chocolate shops poissonneries    fish shops jardineries, végétaux, articles de jardin    garden centres cadeaux gifts coiffeurs    hairdressers    journaux, presse    newsagents disquaires    record shops  chaussures    shoes    supermarchés et hypermarchés    supermarkets and hypermarkets bureaux de tabacs    tobacconists vente, montage de pneus    tyres sale, installation pâtisseries cake shops vins et spiritueux    beer, wine and spirits

Markets : Calais has two markets. In the Place d'Armes they are held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings and in Place Crevecoeur, where they are held on Thursday and Saturday mornings. Wherever you go in Calais, a map is essential. It is very easy to get lost and find yourself far away from the more salubrious areas. ViaMichelin is an excellent site for finding your way around Calais - and many other European destinations as well. Useful addresses : Calais Tourist Office, 12 Boulevard Clemenceau (200 metres from the main railway station) Calais Town Hall, Boulevard Jacquard (almost opposite railway station) Calais Post Office, rue des Fontinettes Calais Police Station, rue de Strasbourg Calais Chamber of Commerce, Boulevard des Allies Franglais | Tesco | Carrefour | Auchan | Sainsburys | Beer Lovers | Vignobles | Calais Vins | Le Chais | Wine Rack | Continent | Pidou Perardel | Wine and Beer World | East Enders | Cheers | Boozers | Bottles