Calais is known primarily as the main port for ferries to Great Britain. It is one of the largest French passenger ports. The city has several interesting museums, but its buildings are mainly modern due to the war damage.
Since its inception, the history of Calais has been linked to the sea. There was an important port here, occupied by the English in the 14th century during the Hundred Years' War. It remained in their possession until the mid-16th century, being one of the main centers of the wool trade in England.
The port of Calais has been of strategic importance to France's military for centuries. During World War II, the Germans made it one of the most important fortifications of the so-called Atlantic Wall. During the Normandy invasion, it was long believed that this was in fact a maneuver to distract attention from the attack on Calais. As a result of World War II, the city was largely demolished. After the war, only a small part of the old buildings was reconstructed.
The preserved monuments of Calais include the medieval watchtower, the Church of Notre-Dame de Calais and the Town Hall built in the early 20th century in the Flemish Neo-Renaissance style. Its belfry is a great vantage point over the city, the coast, and in good weather also the coast of England on the other side of the English Channel.
Although today's port terminal is primarily a modern, efficiently operating facility, you can also see the old port in Calais with the remains of old fortifications, such as Fort Nieulay or Fort Risban. A good place for walks is the Calais Pier, which has a wide sandy beach.
The city also has some interesting museums, such as the City of Lace and Fashion, a modern museum and educational center showing the history of the local industry and crafts, and the Calais War Museum, which tells the history of World War II.
