The beaches of the Calais coast XXL

The beaches of the Calais conurbation coastline, located in the heart of the Opal Coast, offer an exceptional panorama of vast expanses of fine sand, bathed by the waters of the English Channel. This coastline, rich in history and unspoiled nature, is a popular place for relaxation and leisure, where seaside activities, water sports and invigorating walks in front of the majestic cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez combine.

Calais THE beach

Believe us, the panorama of the Calais seafront has few equals and we are not just talking about the Dragon of Calais! Past the hundreds of chalets from a century-old tradition and its immense beach where swimming is supervised, the gaze inevitably falls on a horizon marked by the presence of car ferries providing the link with England... from which it is not unusual to see the white cliffs of Dover about thirty kilometers opposite Calais.

Discover the maritime identity of Calais
The Calais Dragon on the beach, interacting with visitors and its environment. ©Keevin Lecointe
Aerial view of Calais beach and its huge sports and play areas and squares which run along the fine sand for 1 km. ©Fred Collier

'To build a dam' as the people of Calais say

To see these ferries up close, to show them to your children once the sandcastle is finished, the promenade jetty that juts out into the sea is an excellent observation point to try during your stay! It is also very popular with fishermen (in search of mackerel, flounder, pollack, eels, etc.), walkers in search of iodine but also photo and selfie enthusiasts. 

To reach this pier from the city centre, take the pleasant Risban pier on foot, where you go along the port and its activity on one side, the fortress of Fort Risban and the Dragon of Calais on the other! As for the sea wall, it runs along the seafront for almost 1,5 kilometres, joining the neighbouring town of Blériot-Plage named after the famous aviation pioneer.

Throughout the year, the Calais seafront is a popular spot for locals to enjoy both walking and sporting activities. With the complete reinvention completed in 2021, The beach is one of the most suitable on the coast for family seaside activities! Soft mobility, sports activity areas, children's playgrounds, skate parks for all ages, rest areas, viewpoints, beach bars... everyone will find something to suit them, giving the Calais seafront a real Calaisfornian atmosphere.

Top 8 things to do with the family in Calais
A family enjoys ice cream while enjoying the exceptional setting of Calais LA Plage. ©Nohcab
A young boy tries his hand at board sports in the open-air skatepark at Calais LA Plage. ©Nohcab

At the foot of Cap Blanc-Nez

The Hauts-de-France coastline offers large beaches of fine sand, cliffs, and an oceanic climate full of iodine. Yes, Aeolus, the master of the winds, can be generous... but it is also an asset that makes, among other things, the happiness of water sports enthusiasts.

Cap Blanc-Nez: a must-see

To the west of Calais, it is a typical coastline of the Opal Coast, with beaches in the form of large expanses of sand, dune cords, sea walls and the spectacular phenomenon of high tides at certain times (we advise you to take a look at the tide times). They are cut from the cliffs of Cap Blanc Nez, a major site of the Deux Caps site, classified as a "Grand Site de France" (like the Pont du Gard, the Dune of Pilat or the cliffs of Etretat).

At the foot of these cliffs, Sangatte beach is a discovery that will appeal to both lovers of peace and quiet and lovers of water sports activities. Moreover, this site is a recognized spot for kite surfing, paddle boarding, and windsurfing enthusiasts! Courses and training courses are available during your stay. Gliding and flying against a backdrop of ferries and the English coastline offshore? It's hard to find this landscape anywhere else!

Sports & nature activities
The lunar view of the beaches that run along the communes of Sangatte - Blériot - Plage and their characteristic breakers. ©Nohcab
Cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez ©Nohcab

To the east, the wide open spaces

To the east of Calais, towards the nature reserve of the Oye Plage platier, the immense space of Fort Vert and Hemmes de Marck opens up: at low tide, it is possible to walk 3 kilometers to reach the shore! Suffice to say that this beach is a dream location for horse riders and sand yachting, buggy kite enthusiasts, etc., while leaving enough space for walkers, shore fishermen, and wildlife and plant observers.

Explore the Two Seas Zone
Lunar view of the Zone des Deux Mers on the eastern flank from Calais to Marck. ©Nohcab
The unspoilt beach in the foreground gives way to the sea and the Walde Lighthouse which marks the separation between the North Sea and the English Channel. ©Nohcab