©Nohcab Calais and Saint-Pierre: following the trail of the 1885 merger
140 years ago, on January 29, 1885, a historic decree sealed the union of two destinies: Calais, the maritime city, with its historic medieval port and centuries-old harbor, and Saint-Pierre-lès-Calais, the industrial center, the former agricultural village transformed into a bustling lace-making town. To understand the soul of contemporary Calais, we invite you on a historical and touristic stroll, linking the old town hall of Saint-Pierre to the Place d'Armes.
Crèvecoeur Square
Departure in the heart of the lace-making city
The journey begins in Place Crèvecœur. In the 19th century, Saint-Pierre was transformed by the lace industry. The village became an industrial town. The town lived to the rhythm of lace production! Factories, mansions, workers' housing, public facilities, roads…the transformations were numerous. Place Crèvecœur symbolizes this metamorphosis. Saint-Pierre Church and the courthouse date from the mid-19th century. Now a district court, this building was originally…the Saint-Pierre Town Hall!
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©Nohcab Did you know? The name of the square comes from Jean-Louis Crèvecœur, a notable who donated his agricultural land in 1836 to create a public space “in perpetuity”.
From the “Four Boulevards” to the Theatre
Industrial urban planning
Behind the imposing Bourse du Travail (site of the former 19th-century bathhouses and washhouses), the grid plan of Saint-Pierre unfolds. Long avenues intersect at right angles with other long avenues: a life-size illustration when joining Boulevard Lafayette via Rue du Four à Chaux. Here, space is rationalized, designed for factories, workers' housing, and grand houses.
The four main thoroughfares intersect at Place Albert Ier, where the Calais Theatre stands at the crossroads that locals call "the four boulevards." Opposite the Theatre—a symbol of the prosperous years following the merger—stands the statue of Joseph-Marie Jacquard. Although from Lyon, his invention revolutionized local lacemaking, propelling Calais to the status of world capital.
Art Deco in Calais: 5 places to discover
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Strolling tip: Walk up Boulevard Jacquard and admire the facades. Between the lace-making heritage and the Art Deco gems, every detail tells the story of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Calais Town Hall
The link between two worlds
Halfway between the two old city centers stands the most iconic monument: the Town Hall and its belfryErected on a sandy area once nicknamed “the Sahara”, this architectural gem was built to physically embody the merger of 1885.
The experience not to be missed Climb to the top of the Belfry. On one side, you will see the urban grid of Saint-Pierre; on the other, the maritime curves of old Calais facing the sea.
The Town Hall and the Belfry of Calais
©Nohcab La Place d'Armes
Arrival in the birthplace of Calais la Maritime
The time has come to head towards the old Calais, which the locals call "Calais Nord". Hard hit by the destruction of the Second World War, its post-war architectural ensembles lead you to the Place d'Armes, one of the liveliest places in Calais, near Calais LA Plage.
La Place d'ArmesIt is also one of the oldest places in the city: it was here that the famous episode of the Burghers of Calais took place. Next to the watchtower – the oldest building in Calais – stood the former Calais town hall before the merger. Later transformed into a fine arts museum, this remarkable building was ravaged by fire in May 1940.
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Follow the guide!
Go to WivisitesExploring this path means understanding how a medieval port city and total lace-making industrial town joined forces to become Calais XXLA unique heritage where maritime heritage meets the elegance of lace.
Ready to walk in the footsteps of history? Find this route on our 100% free app/visitor guide 'Wivitises'!