©Nohcab Art Deco: A look at art by Emilie, a tour guide
A passionate tour guide since 2015, Emilie shares her perspective and knowledge of the Calais XXL area through tours, guided visits, and educational activities. Each year, she actively participates in the Art Deco Spring Festival, a heritage she knows intimately and whose many treasures she loves to share.
What made you want to become a tour guide?
At 30, I was looking for a career change. I've always loved theatre, and the profession of tour guide inspired me. So I pursued a tour guide qualification, and it was a real revelation.
This training opened my eyes to my region. I discovered a heritage I barely knew, and I felt even more eager to share this knowledge and showcase our heritage.
What sparked your interest in Art Deco?
It's a movement I had already enjoyed discovering during my studies, and one I appreciate enormously, because it's a total art form. In Calais, I particularly like Art Deco: even though it was already being discussed in the 90s, there was still a lot to explore, especially in the neighborhoods.
To learn more, I spend a lot of time in the archives, in the library books, and on the ground identifying buildings (thanks to my dog Julius, my faithful companion who roams the city with me!)
©Nohcab 
©Fred Collier 
©Fred Collier How would you define Art Deco in a few words?
Art Deco succeeded Art Nouveau. It shifted from exuberant decoration and whiplash lines to a reinterpretation of classicism. Symmetry, geometric forms, stylized motifs, and the importance of light were all present.
It is also a total art form: it can be found in architecture, but also in interior decoration, objects, jewelry, paintings, sculptures… and even dance!
What are the characteristics that can be easily identified?
Depending on the period and the architects, Art Deco never presents itself in the same way, and that's what makes each discovery interesting. But some clues are fairly easy to spot: the stylization of motifs, geometric shapes, verticality… or, conversely, horizontality with the ocean liner style.
And as with everything, the more our eye gets used to it, the easier we notice these details!
What makes Calais so fascinating for Art Deco is the diversity of its old quarters, where numerous examples of this style can still be found. Industrial, administrative, and religious buildings, but also private homes.
What are the must-see Art Deco sites in Calais?
Roger Poyé's work is essential in its entirety: the Bourse du Travail, the P'tit Quinquin school, the Saint-Joseph church, the Automobile Club… The works of the architects Renardier and Cézard are also worth a visit.
But what I prefer is walking through streets I don't know and stumbling upon an unexpected detail: a decoration, an ironwork, a stained glass window… You really have to take the time to observe what surrounds you to fully appreciate Art Deco.
The 5 places you absolutely must see
What are the new features or highlights of this year's edition in Calais?
This year, the Calais program is once again packed with events, including exhibitions, conferences, and guided tours. I'm particularly excited to offer a new tour on the theme of automobiles. The reopening of the Bourse du Travail (Labor Exchange) is a great joy for my colleagues and me. We are delighted to allow visitors to discover or rediscover this iconic location!
Is there a little-known place or detail that you particularly enjoy sharing with us?
Mariotte Street is surprising and quite unknown. Come and discover it during your visit to the Saint-Pierre district, you'll see!