Frequently Asked Questions

Calais is located in the north of France, in the Hauts-de-France region, near the English Channel. The Calais XXL destination brings together the 14 municipalities of the Grand Calais Terres & Mers conurbation.

Calais is accessible by car (A16, A26), train, bus and ferry from Dover.

It is recommended to move on foot to explore the city center and the main attractions. You can also use public transport which is completely free in the metropolitan area or borrow a bicycle from the 70 stations available.

There are several means of transport that will allow you to go to the United Kingdom: by car via the Channel Tunnel or on board a ferry. Or on foot thanks to certain ferry companies.

As Great Britain remains outside the Schengen Area, it is strongly recommended that you comply with British legislation. Therefore, you will need to have your passport. Passage through the port of Calais or via Eurotunnel to travel to the United Kingdom is subject to an identity check for each traveler by the French and British police authorities.

FISHERY PRODUCTS

• Every day (depending on tides) Quai de la Colonne, 62100 Calais

FRESH PRODUCTS

• Monday morning Church Square 62137 Coulogne
• Tuesday morning Place de l'Europe 62730 Marck
• Wednesday morning Place d'Armes, 62100 Calais and Saturday morning Place d'Armes and Place Crèvecoeur, 62100 Calais
• Thursday morning Place Crèvecoeur, 62100 Calais and Saturday morning Place Crèvecoeur and Place d'Armes, 62100 Calais
• Friday morning Place de la République, 62231 Blériot and Football stadium car park 62185 Fréthun
• Sunday morning Rue Greuze, 62100 Calais, Place du Général de Gaulle 62231 Sangatte and Place de la Concorde 62231 Coquelles

To properly prepare for your outing, especially on the beaches, check the tide times and equip yourself according to the weather.

Calais XXL Tourisme offers you numerous documents that can be viewed and downloaded free of charge!

For your safety and to fully enjoy water activities, it is important to respect the swimming areas supervised and secured by professional lifeguards. Be sure to check the lifeguard schedules, consult the local weather conditions and pay attention to the signal flags indicating the state of the sea. It is also recommended to find out about the tides and follow the lifeguards' instructions to enjoy a trouble-free time. 

• Green flag : swimming is supervised and does not present any particular danger 
• Yellow flag : swimming is supervised but dangerous 
• Red flag : swimming is prohibited. 

On the beach at Calais, a large demarcated area allows you to swim under the supervision of the Calais SNSM.

Most supervised beaches are prohibited to dogs, but they may be allowed on unsupervised areas or at certain times of the day. Signs inform you about the conditions of access to the beaches along the sea wall.

In Calais: The presence of dogs on a leash is permitted on the sea wall all year round. Between May 15 and October 15, access to the beach is only possible after 19 p.m. and before 9 a.m. It is tolerated outside the summer period from October 16 to May 14 on the beach.

In Escalles: Dogs are allowed on the beach from September 16 to May 14, on a leash. They are prohibited from May 15 to September 15 on the beach, even on a leash.

To Marck: Whether at Fort-Vert or Les Hemmes, dogs are allowed on the sand. Summer and winter. As long as they are kept on a leash. But you must not get too close to the sandbank where the seals rest, at the foot of the Walde lighthouse, which is a protected area.

In Sangatte: Dogs are allowed all year round, on a leash, on the beach between the semaphore and the VVF. Except from May 15 to September 30, when they are prohibited even on a leash in the supervised swimming area located at the Sangatte town hall.

However, there are a few rules to follow: keep your dog on a leash at all times, respect your neighbors by avoiding nuisances, and provide bags to pick up droppings in order to keep the beach clean for everyone.