Bassin du Paradis

The Bassin du Paradis is a must-see during the walk between 2 must-sees, Calais LA plage and the port district of Courgain maritime. The Bassin du Paradis was the port of Calais in the Middle Ages. It still shelters boats today and is the regular scene to observe and understand the natural phenomenon of the tides.   

The Bassin du Paradis is located opposite Courgain Maritime, the historic district of the port of Calais. The Bassin du Paradis was the port of Calais in the Middle Ages. Many developments were made over the centuries, particularly during the English period in Calais (1347-1558). Moreover, the name Bassin du Paradis is an adaptation of the English "Paradise Basin", named after the Paradises, an influential family from English Calais. The Bassin du Paradis in Calais has seen many illustrious figures pass through. The first authenticated was Richard I, alias Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199), King of England.  

From the time of the Bassin du Paradis, the port of Calais asserted its position as the main port for crossings between France and Great Britain. For example, in the 17th century, Calais became the exclusive transit port in France for postal relations between the two countries. Gradually, from the 19th century and the extensions of the port, cross-Channel traffic moved away from the Bassin du Paradis.  

The Paradis basin now accommodates private boats. It can be walked along and fits perfectly into the overall photos of the Courgain Maritime. On its quays you can see a calvary in memory of sailors lost at sea and original mooring bollards...made from artillery cannons. 

To note that : According to the hourly tide coefficients, the Bassin du Paradis regularly “offers” a spectacle provided by Nature! The people of Calais are used to seeing this basin emptied of its water and the boats placed on the bottom… before seeing a few hours later a Bassin du Paradis filled with water. A live illustration of the phenomenon of high tides and low tides.