The shrimps that color the stalls of the Courgain Maritime, the emblematic fishing district of Calais. ©Nohcab

Gastronomy and local products in Calais XXL

In Calais XXL, as in all territories, we like 'eating well', 'eating local' and using local products. Discovering a destination also means meeting a terroir, producers and the good things that illuminate local gastronomy. ! Between its coastline and its countryside dedicated to livestock breeding and agriculture, Calais XXL has culinary discoveries to share!

The Sea, a non-inexhaustible wealth

Calais is a fishing port. Every morning, depending on the weather at sea, The stalls on the Quai de la Colonne display the fish and seafood of the day offered for sale directly by local artisan fishermen., or by fishmongers. Throughout the seasons, you can find sea bass, SunsPlaice, mackerel, herring, seafood. Among the stalls, there is also that of Myriam Pont, a mussel gatherer on foot.

The Peasant Woman of the Seas: Myriam Pont
A stall selling fresh fish from the fish market in the fishing district of Calais: courgain maritime. ©Nohcab
Whelks and other shrimps that add color to the fish stalls in the Calais fish markets and its sea courgette. ©Nohcab
Focus

The market, a meeting place for local producers

On the stalls of Place d'Armes or Place Crèvecœur, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, or in Sangatte on weekends, local fruits, vegetables, and cheeses go directly into your shopping bag, without any middlemen. This complements the direct sales already practiced by many producers in the Calais region.

The list of markets
A fruit stall at the Place d'Armes market in Calais

Sweet pleasures

For dessert or afternoon pleasure, the local pastry is 'Calais' ! Macaron dough, coffee buttercream and almonds are the main ingredients. The 'Calais' is easily found in pastries and often finds a place on the menu of Calais XXL restaurants. In Blériot-Plage and Marck, 'Le Blériotin' and 'Le Marckois' have made a delicious place for themselves in recent years! 

There is a wide choice for eating on the Calais LA Plage seafront! Gourmet restaurants, brasseries, beach bars or takeaways, everyone has their own desires. In Calais LA Plage, the little pleasures of the locals are the ice cream cone (known to be the best price on the Opal Coast) or the packet of fries. It all depends on the time!       

The ultimate sweet treats
The sweet shelves of the Lamothe Bakery and Pastry Shop in Calais and its gingerbread. ©Timothé Lovergne
Le Calais, an iconic local pastry in the shape of a puff pastry with coffee flavors.

But also salty!

Maroilles is the best known cheese from Hauts de France. And there are many other cheeses produced on the Opal Coast.. Renowned cheesemakers in Calais offer a wide range. There is also a very popular cheese in Calais XXL… which is not a local product! Cheddar is the best known of British cheeses… and also the basic ingredient of welsh, an emblematic dish of the Opal Coast, to taste all its variations, go to the Hovercraft, opposite the Tourist Office in Calais.

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Wesh, a typical melted cheese dish from the North accompanied by its iconic fries. ©Nohcab