©Nohcab Calais, an XXL shopping destination
In Calais and its surroundings, shopping has always been a must. While the commercial activity brought by crossings from Great Britain, with its typically French products like cheeses and wines, remains fresh in everyone's minds, the pleasure of combining shopping and sightseeing can be found throughout the entire destination. Between local shops, food stores, souvenir shops, and major international brands, Calais promises a shopping experience worthy of its name: XXL.
A shopping trip with a sea view
Calais is a city where shopping takes on a special dimension. The shopping streets of the city center are brimming with boutiques and artisans offering local products and regional specialties. Food lovers will find their paradise in the gourmet shops, with cheeses, charcuterie, wines, and chocolates, just like the Cheese and Wine House or againChocolate WorkshopTraditional wine merchants also attract connoisseurs, just like wholesalers. Calais Wines ou Pidou.
Find local products
©Fred Collier 
©Nohcab Accessories, fashion and souvenirs
For more local shopping, reflecting the true character of Calais, head to the picturesque and lively streets of the city center. The famous Rue Royale, with its red-brick facades, boasts a wide range of shops, from clothing concept stores to Calaisfornia, at the family shop Beautiful Tribe not forgetting the shop of theCalais XXL Tourist Officewhere everything is designed for practical, useful and slightly chauvinistic souvenirs. In this area of Calais North, the welcoming shopkeepers have the advantage of being among the best places to have a drink or a meal: the ideal area for a window-shopping outing combined with lunch, since everything is accessible on foot within a one-kilometer radius.
All the souvenir shops
©Stephane Ribeiro Da Ascencao The market, another face of Calais shopping
Shopping in Calais XXL isn't limited to boutiques and major retailers. Every week, open-air markets set the rhythm of local life, attracting producers, artisans, and residents alike. In Calais, the Place d'Armes market is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, while the Place Crèvecœur market takes place on Thursday and Saturday mornings, alongside the covered market and the fish market. A little further along the coast, the Sangatte market brings Place du Général de Gaulle to life. Fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and regional specialties mingle there in a friendly atmosphere, far removed from standardized supermarket aisles.
Local markets and products ©Nohcab 
©Nohcab XXL Shopping Experience
Rue Royale and the Four Boulevards
Venturing a few steps further into Calais' city center, the Four Boulevards converge at the foot of the magnificent Grand Théâtre. Along these shopping streets, chocolatiers, renowned home decor stores, independent cinemas, and sandwich shops stand alongside various services. Newsagents, pharmacies, and other businesses cater to all your needs during your stay. Every summer, the area also becomes a stage for urban art installations, perfect for leisurely strolls in any season!
Bars, terraces and lively nights
©Nohcab Leisure and pleasures on the outskirts
For a truly grand shopping experience, head to City of EuropeEasily accessible from the motorway in Coquelles, just minutes from Calais, this shopping centre brings together 140 internationally renowned boutiques and restaurants, featuring major brands, fashion and everyday items. A whole section of the site, the Cité Gourmande (Gourmet City), is dedicated to dining: brasseries, international cuisine, coffee shops and other gourmet establishments offer a chance to recharge between shopping sprees.
Just opposite, the iconic arch of Channel Outlet Offers discounts on a wide range of products, from fashion to home goods. Following in the tradition of outlet centers, this discount store offers substantial savings on well-known brands throughout the year.
Shops & centers
©Channel Outlet Tax-free shopping for British visitors
Since Brexit, UK residents can reclaim VAT on their purchases in France, including wines and gourmet foods. To understand how the system works, including thresholds, the locations of PABLO terminals, and other conditions, consult our shopping guide for a day trip to England.
Everything you need to know about tax refunds
A stay between shopping and discoveries
Coming to Calais for a day or a weekend is also an opportunity to enjoy the coastline and the local heritage. After a shopping session, the beach and the Calais Dragon offer an ideal break facing the sea. The historic center reveals its treasures with theCity Hall and its belfry listed by UNESCO, the famous statue of the Bourgeois Rodin and several museums that tell the history and know-how of the region.
Between good deals and cultural discoveries, a trip to Calais is an opportunity to get a change of scenery, fill your suitcases and leave with the desire to return.
The top must-sees in Calais
©Nohcab ©Fred Collier