©Keevin Lecointe What to do in Calais with the family? 10 unforgettable activities
Ready for a a big breath of fresh, salty air Calais XXL is the ideal destination to delight children, share moments, and create lasting memories. Between a Giant dragon on the seawall, 271 steps to be counted while climbing to the lighthouse, hundreds of butterflies in a greenhouse et sixty-six frescoes To be hunted down in the streets like a treasure hunt, the territory has enough to occupy a family for several days, without ever having to choose between the spectacular and the relaxing.
Travel with the Dragon Company
Embark on board a colossal 10-meter-high dragon
Legend has it that the Dragon comes from an underground world from which it escaped during the expansion of the port of Calais. Since then, it has lived on the seafront, guardian of the balance of the worlds, watching over the city and its inhabitants.
Step onto the terrace nestled on its back with your whole family for an extraordinary and unique journey, at the pace of this 75-tonne beast. The shining eyes of your children when The dragon stretches its wings and takes flight The views along the seafront are worth the trip alone. And for those who prefer to admire the view from the seawall, the spectacle is constant!
©Nohcab Exploring the neighborhoods of Calais on the back of a Varan
The Dragon Company also has another resident: the Traveling Monitor LizardSummoned by the Dragon's magnetic waves, this new mechanical reptile made its triumphant entrance into the streets of Calais. From then on, it was also possible to discover the city's neighborhoods by traveling aboard it.
The Dragon Company
©Nohcab Enjoying the beach: sand, games and ice cream
Calais Beach it is first and foremost a stretch of fine sand over a kilometer long, large enough for everyone to find their own space: castle builders, beach volleyball enthusiasts, those who just want to relax. The swimming area is supervised in summer. The seafront is entirely designed for soft mobility: strollers, bicycles and scooters circulate freely for almost two kilometers. Free parking ten minutes' walk away, free public transport throughout the country.
©Nohcab At snack time, the children will be delighted. Italian-style ice cream from Diego or Sigler, These colorful trucks have been crisscrossing the seafront for generations. A debate rages among the people of Calais about which of the two offers the best ice cream… To settle the matter, you'll have to taste both.
Calais THE Beach
©Nohcab Skatepark and games with a sea view
Have a drink in one of the beach bars While your teens practice ollies and other freestyle tricks, younger children can learn under your supervision in their dedicated bowl. Spanning over 4,000 m², the Calais Beach Skatepark is the largest outdoor skatepark in the Hauts-de-France region. on a scooter, skateboard, rollerblades, or balance bike. And if you've forgotten your equipment, no problem: the play structures right next door allow children to let off steam while you enjoy the available sun loungers.
Helmets are mandatory in the skatepark.
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©Fred Collier Introduction to lacemaking: machines, investigations and quizzes
In the heart of Calais, the City of Lace and Fashion It has many stories to tell: those of a city and an industry, and above all, those of people and families. Immerse yourself in this lace industry that profoundly transformed the lives of Calais residents in the 19th century.
The museum can be visited at your own pace., depending on the objects, the machines on display, the photos and period documents. Two places will particularly captivate children: the impressive engine room and the first room which gives the feeling of being transported back to the time of queens, Marchionesses and other princesses. Educational booklets allow you to share this discovery together! Choose between quizzes and investigations, in a relaxing setting with dimly lit spaces.
The City of Lace and Fashion
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©F. Kleinefenn Climb high, see far: the Lighthouse and the Belfry
Some experiences don't need to be complex to be unforgettable. Climbing, reaching the top, looking into the distance: Calais offers two ways to experience this feeling, with two radically different architectural styles and panoramas.
The Calais Lighthouse: 271 steps and the English cliffs on the horizon
A real challenge to take on as a family. The 271 steps of the spiral staircase are numbered, one by one; the children can check. Go at your own pace, answering to the fun little questions along the ascent. The reward: a panoramic view of the city, the sea and the port. Equipped with binoculars available for rent on site, You will see the many boats sailing through the Strait of Dover, one of the busiest waterways in the world. The educational area at the foot of the lighthouse tells the story. the story of the guards and their profession.
The Calais Lighthouse
©Nohcab The Belfry of the Town Hall: 175 steps and the city at your feet
Ranked among the most beautiful in France, Calais Town Hall and its UNESCO Belfry They are climbed on foot (175 steps) and descended by elevator. At the top, The view encompasses the sea and the port on one side, and the rooftops of the Saint-Pierre district on the other. On the way back down, the Rodin's Burghers of Calais, just opposite, offer one of the most memorable photo sequences in the territory.
The Town Hall and the Belfry of Calais
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©Nohcab Admire the Strait from Cap Blanc-Nez
It's a little "The end of the world" in Hauts-de-France, where the land ends and gives way to the sea — and sometimes to a mystery guest, Great Britain, very often visible when the weather is clear. Classified Grand Site of France, Cap Blanc-Nez is a preserved natural area where gentle paths allow you to peacefully enjoy the panoramas.
Go ahead with your hair blowing in the wind with the Divine, free double-decker bus which runs daily in summer between Calais and Cap Blanc-Nez. No parking problems, no fees. Children will love riding at the forefront and pretend to drive.
Cap Blanc-Nez: a must-see
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©Nohcab Discover nature in a different way
Between two coastal excursions, Calais XXL offers a wealth of options. an unexpected breathTwo places that are particularly good at stimulating young children, calm, sensory, and surprising.
The Garden of the Beautiful Country: a butterfly greenhouse and a journey around the globe
Discovering a place like the Jardin du Beau Pays in the coastal plain is an incredible surprise, both for its exotic atmosphere and its serenity. Pierre Lavalée, its passionate creator, has imagined several distinct environments inspired by different continents: a Mediterranean rock garden, a semi-arid steppe, and an English garden. The highlight for younger visitors is the butterfly greenhouse with its tropical ambiance, where insects sometimes land on children's outstretched arms. A tip: visit the garden in the morning; the butterflies, like humans, are often more active then.
The Garden of the Beautiful Country
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©Nohcab The urban farm: animals in the heart of Calais
On Boulevard Jacquard, in the city center, the association Les Animaliens runs an educational farm right in the heart of Calais. Children discover farm life there without leaving the city. Right next door is the restaurant At the Farm Corner Offers local and seasonal cuisine in a wood and stone setting, with a garden terrace. The ideal place for a family lunch between activities.
The Urban Farm
©City of Calais 66 street art murals to hunt down
In addition, research since 2020 the Calais Street Art Festival Each summer, it invites artists from all over the world to paint the city walls. The result: more than 70 works of art now brighten the center of Calais. A giant octopus on Boulevard Curie, a twenty-meter orangutan on Avenue du Président Wilson, a seagull, lace frescoes, and, on the seawall, the mysterious little silhouette signed Banksyappeared one morning in 2015 without anyone knowing how.
Every summer, theCalais XXL Tourist Office offers guided tours to discover these works, a natural way to cross the city as a family, with eyes wide open (without anyone asking when you arrive).
Discover Street Art in Calais
©Fred Collier Cycling as a family on the Véloroute
The essentials for a family bike ride, It's about being able to do it safely. That's exactly the case for this A bucolic route between greenery and canal. Used only by cyclists, pedestrians, and joggers. Starting point at Coulogne bridge towards the Marais cycle route n°5: Parking is available near the Coulogne media library, in the pleasant Octagon ParkAt your own pace, a relaxing moment is guaranteed to nurture children's taste for two-wheelers and preserved spaces.
Cycling in and around Calais
©Nohcab What if the sky is grey?
No need to panic! We've thought of everything! The Iceo Complex and its recreational pools, Cosmic Park for indoor games, Norden Escape for escape games and virtual reality, Zap'ados For indoor skating: the list of alternatives is long. Some trips even owe their best memory to a rainy day.