Slow tourism: nature, fresh air and gentle modes of transport
Train station ten minutes from the sea, pedestrian ferry from Dover, paths winding between dunes and cliffs: Calais XXL is among the best-connected seaside destinations in the north for those who choose to travel without a carWhether it's a weekend getaway for two or a longer nature escape, here's how to make the most of it, from the journey to the return.
Choosing to travel differently
The Calais coastline and its surrounding towns still have surprises in store for you. To discover them, We need to accept slowing down. It is under this condition that the territory reveals what it holds in store for those who take the time: dunes as far as the eye can see, intertidal zones that stretch out with the tides, natural spaces that nature here jealously guards.
Choosing to come without a car, That's already taking that stance. It's also a concrete way to reduce the impact of your visit on fragile ecosystems, recognized nationally and protected by the Coastal Conservancy. A simple gesture, and the best way to appreciate what the region has to offer, especially as a couple.
©Nohcab Train, Bike, Ferry: Arriving and getting around without a car
From Paris-Nord, Calais Ville is less than two hours away by train and the station is about fifteen minutes' walk from the sea! You drop off your luggage, and you're already there.
From England, P&O Ferries provides the only pedestrian crossing on the Calais-Dover route: the Balad'In shuttles take over from the port to the city centre.
On site, the Imag'In network is completely free, including the Div'In line, which leads directly to Cap Blanc-Nez.
Coming to Calais and its surroundings
A city center to explore on foot, in the space of a morning.
Slow tourism doesn't mean escaping the city. In Calais, the historic heart It can be explored entirely on foot, within a fifteen to twenty minute walk from the train station. belfry listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to the halls of the City of Lace and Fashion, from the narrow streets of Courgain Maritime to the Fort Risban And at the beach, every step changes register: military heritage, working-class history, contemporary art and seafront follow one another without needing to catch your breath, or get out of your car.
©Nohcab 
©Nohcab It is also within this area that the Calais Dragon and Travel Monitor Lizard They've made their home between the sea and the fishing port. These creatures, imagined by François Delaroziere, have made Calais one of the most unique street art destinations in northern France. Consider setting aside a morning for the city and an afternoon for the coastline: the perfect rhythm for a carefree day!
Must-see
©Nohcab A coastline that must be earned on foot or by bike
La Velomaritime It crosses the Calais XXL territory from east to west. It runs along the coastline between the Men of Marck and the cliffs of Escalles, passing through the dunes of Fort Vert, Calais seafront and Sangatte beachIt is one of the most remarkable routes in northern France, accessible to all, and offers a perspective of the territory that a car cannot provide.
From Calais, join the Cape Blanc-Nez By bike, it takes less than an hour, but watch out for the hills! The Hemmes de Marck beach, to the east, can be reached in forty minutes along the coastal paths. Establishments labeled Accueil Vélo along the route, places to leave your luggage, rent a bike or simply relax facing the sea.
©Nohcab Trails that let nature reign supreme
East of Calais for disconnecting
To the East, the Natural Areas of the Dunes of Fort Vert They unfold their mosaic of salty landscapes: dune heaths, wetlands, hunting ponds, and marram grass rustling in the wind. This is one of the most active nesting and migration areas on the coast. The area has been classified as a breeding ground for several years. Far from the shore, seals resting there can be seen from the dune paths.
Further west, the Oldenburg Battery rises above the dunes of the Huchette beach Like an unexpected viewpoint. This colossal relic of the Second World War has been transformed into a vista: undulating dunes, a vast foreshore, and the sea stretching as far as the eye can see. A breath of fresh sea air guaranteed.
The Beaches of Calais and the Opal Coast
©Nohcab 
©Timothé Lovergne The terrain to the west is ideal for sports enthusiasts.
To the west, the Cape Blanc-Nez reserves its most beautiful panoramas for those who are willing to earn them. The trail of Balconies of Escalles and the circuit the heights of Sangatte The Fond Pignon trails wind between the cliff tops and the valley's hollows, with the same reward at each summit: the Strait stretching as far as the eye can see, the English coast on a clear day, and a silence broken only by the wind. Both routes begin in Sangatte and Escalles, then follow part of the coastline.
For those who prefer to take it easy on the climb, electric bikes are available for rent in the area, allowing you to reach the Cap Blanc-Nez viewpoint without sacrificing the pleasure of the effort. And for those who simply want to be there without driving, the Div'In line the transport network of the agglomeration connects Calais to the site of Cap Blanc-Nez. It is completely free, like the entire Imag'In network since 2023. One more argument for a 100% slow tourism stay.
Hiking around Calais
©Nohcab 
©Nohcab