©Nohcab Cycling in and around Calais
At the crossroads of 3 European cycle routes, Calais XXL also offers bike rides to do quietly with the family. Many tourism and cycling professionals offer services to cyclists on a ride or on the move.
5 bike rides to do in Calais
By the sea, in peaceful places or along fortifications? Here is a selection of bike rides: many are accessible for families!
The Coquelles Green Belt
In Coquelles, the greenway is a completely secure walking and cycling path. The route is 6 kilometers long, completely in soft mobility. Children's games are available for families and orientation courses are accessible to children.
Recommended parking: Route de la rouge cambre in Coquelles – football stadium parking lot or Espace Calquella
Visit the website of the town of Coquelles
©Nohcab Calais Beach by bike
The renovated seafront of Calais La Plage is dedicated to soft mobility. It is possible to walk with your family along the fortress of Fort Risban and its specially designed ramparts, the entrance to the port of Calais, the Dragon Ship of Calais before reaching a dike of more than 1,5 kilometers along the beach. Be careful, on sunny days there can be very many pedestrians and the space is shared between users.
Recommended parking: Avenue Winston Churchill – parking opposite La Compagnie du Dragon
©Nohcab The Coulogne-Guines cycle route
The Eurovéloroute 5 London-Rome passes through Calais XXL. The route between the towns of Coulogne and Guines is open to soft mobility for 6 kilometers and allows you to take a family bike ride. This cycle route follows the route of an old railway line. The route winds through green spaces and along the Calais-Saint Omer canal.
Parking recommended : Avenue du Général Pourailly in Coulogne – L'octogone media library car park
View the EuroVelo route
©Nohcab The gentle path from Simone Veil Park to Marck
Bikes and scooters can travel safely with the family on the 2-kilometer gentle path along the Marck Canal. At the start of this peaceful path is an urban park with children's games located behind the Saint Martin de Marck church.
Recommended parking: Rue Saint Martin in Marck – Parking lot of the Saint-Martin Church
©Nohcab The Calais Forts route
This route, which combines a stroll with a discovery of the heritage of Calais, is 11 kilometres long. It passes through both motor traffic routes and dirt roads. This bike ride is a discovery of the military heritage of Calais. The main stages will take you to Fort Risban (departure), the Citadel of Calais and Fort Nieulay.
Recommended parking: Avenue Winston Churchill – parking opposite La Compagnie du Dragon
Download the complete guide ©Nohcab Calais XXL, at the crossroads of 3 Euroveloroutes
The Calais XXL territory has the privilege of being located at the crossroads of 3 major cycling routes, euroveloroutesThese marked routes of more than 1000 kilometres and which cross borders are constantly evolving, and numerous developments are underway throughout Europe.
EuroVeloroute 4
Central European Cycle Route, Roscoff-kyiv, also called the Velomaritime on the French section, between Brittany and Hauts de France.
EuroVeloroute 5
Via Romea Francigena, Canterbury-Rome is inspired by the Via Francigena pilgrimage trail. Calais XXL is its starting point on the European continent!
EuroVeloroute 12
The North Sea Cycle Route, Norway-Scotland is an entirely coastal route which follows the route of Eurovéloroute 4 to Calais XXL.
Accueil Vélo Label
A welcome designed for cyclists
Around 6 sites in France hold this benchmark label for bicycle tourism. They can be accommodation providers, restaurants, places to visit, tourist offices, bicycle rental and repair shops. This label gives you the guarantee of finding an establishment:
- Located less than 5 kilometers from a cycle route;
- Who has suitable equipment (secure bicycle shelter, repair kit)
- Who provides a dedicated reception (practical information, advice)
- And which offers practical services (laundry, bike wash point, etc.)
Rent / Repair / Park
A repair, a purchase, advice? The Calais XXL cycling professionals accompany cyclists on their journey.
Location
Opal Bike Services — 152, Boulevard Gambetta, 62100
Calais Vel'in, the on-demand bicycle rental system. More than 70 stations in Calais XXL. Some stations are also equipped with electrically assisted bicycles.
©Imag'in Repair
The Crazy Workshop — 47 Boulevard Gambetta in Calais
Brame Sports — Rue Gutenberg in Calais
E-Dragon — 54, rue du Virval in Calais
Decathlon and Intersport stores — New River area in Calais
Park
In town or at the beach, you can quite regularly find spaces to lock up bikes.
For “long-term” parking, there is the 24-hour solution 'Abricyclette'. There are 24 secure Abricyclette shelters in the centre of Calais (Calais Ville SNCF station and Calais Cœur de vie centre).
Access is free, subject to prior subscription to the service (obtaining a badge). Access to this service requires formalities, we strongly advise you to complete them before your stay.