©Nohcab Grand Site de France Les Deux-Caps: renewal of the label
The Grand Site de France Les Deux-Caps label has just been renewed for eight years, and its scope has expanded from 8 to 18 partner municipalities. For Calais XXL, this decision by the Ministry of Ecological Transition has a direct impact: three municipalities within the territory are now included alongside 15 others committed to more rigorous management of visitor flows and the preservation of natural sites.
What is the Grand Site de France label?
Created in 1980 and managed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the Grand Site de France label applies to classified natural sites that combine very high visitor numbers with nationally recognized landscape value. It is based on three non-negotiable requirements:
- Preservation : To protect fragile and exceptional landscapes from degradation.
- Management : Maintain the site (paths, roads, parking lots) to avoid parking chaos and overcrowding.
- The enhancement : To offer a quality experience to visitors while ensuring the sustainability of the environment.
The Grand Site Les Deux-Caps was awarded this distinction in 2011, renewed in 2018, and then again in 2026. This third cycle covers a considerably expanded area, increasing from 8 to 18 partner municipalities.
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Jean Claude Leroy
'It is within this evolution of climate, economic, and societal transitions that this new chapter opens, covering an expanded area of eight to eighteen municipalities, the result of consultation and careful listening to residents and local stakeholders, prioritizing a collective vision for the future of the Grand Site de France Les Deux-Caps. A commitment to act on climate change where coastal erosion is a reality that we are facing with resilience.'
What the expansion of the perimeter changes
With 23 kilometers of coastline included in the Grand Site, three municipalities in the Calais metropolitan area are located within the perimeter: Escalles, Sangatte-Blériot Plage and Peuplingues. They form a coherent landscape continuum between Calais and the access to Cap Blanc-Nez. Peoples' languages, This commune, very popular with hikers, logically complements a system centered on Cap Blanc-Nez and the dunes of Sangatte.
The value of preserving the label for more sustainable tourism
For tourism professionals, the label is primarily a positioning tool. It places the Opal Coast within a select group (like the Pont du Gard, the Bay of Somme, the Calanques, etc.) that influences the travel decisions of French and European visitors. It also structures the funding available for developing visitor facilities. Finally, it is a crucial tool in raising awareness, cooperation and shared work around the flows in order to limit the depletion of natural sites.
Tips for a slow tourism stay
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©Nohcab Cap Blanc-Nez: by bike or free transport network!
The Grand Site is accessible without a car. The urban area has a completely free public transport network. One of the lines directly serves Cap Blanc-Nez from the multimodal center at Calais-Ville train station: the Div'In, an open-top bus whose retractable roof transforms the journey into a first panoramic glimpse of the coastline in good weather.
For those who prefer to reach the site by bicycle, the Vélomaritime (EV4) offers a coastal route from Calais. The final elevation gain to reach the summit of Cap Blanc-Nez — approximately 139 meters over 3,6 kilometers, with an average gradient of 3,9% — makes electric assistance recommended on this section.
Travel to Cap Blanc-Nez
Cap Blanc-Nez: a chalk giant
Cap Blanc-Nez is not just a cliff; it is a symbol of power and serenity. Designating this site as a Grand Site guarantees that this treasure will remain intact for future generations. For Calais XXL, it ensures that residents and tourists alike will have a unique green space to breathe, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, while benefiting from rigorous management of erosion and biodiversity.
In 2026, the Grand Site des Deux Caps is at the top of the list of places to visit according to the magazine of prestigious press title Le Monde.
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