La Citadelle de Calais
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La Citadelle de Calais
Esplanade Jacques Vendroux - 62100 CALAIS
A major defensive point for Calais.
Originally, there was a 13th-century fortified castle from which the city walls extended. Over the centuries, modifications were made. The castle was transformed into a citadel, and the civilian population into a military garrison. Today, it is a place dedicated to relaxation…and remembrance. The citadel contains remains of the ramparts of medieval Calais, besieged by the English in 1346-1347.
They are visible after the Boulogne Gate, one of the citadel's access gates. The parking lot runs alongside the old ramparts, and nothing remains of the 13th-century fortified castle. Around the castle, there was a district of Calais, protected by the walls. It contained bourgeois houses, a church, and a palace (the Exchequer) belonging to the English government. When France recaptured Calais in 1558, the district lost its civilian character. After 211 years of English rule, King Francis II wanted to fortify Calais with a stronghold and a garrison.
The castle and the surrounding area were destroyed at the end of the 16th century. Warfare techniques changed following the development of artillery. This was the era of bastioned fortifications. The renowned engineer Vauban oversaw some improvements and construction work. For several centuries, the citadel housed the Calais garrison. Its last notable act of bravery was the 36-hour resistance of the citadel's men against a major German attack in May 1940. The Germans occupied the citadel during the Occupation. Like the surrounding area and the port, it was heavily bombed during the war, until the German surrender in September 1944.
After the war, the citadel lost its military role and was transformed into a place for walks and sports in the 1960s. It was in this decade that the Stade du Souvenir (Remembrance Stadium) was inaugurated, dedicated to the local Resistance fighters who were detained, tortured, and in some cases died there. Note that: The interior of the citadel can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The entrance through the Neptune Gate (Jacques Vendroux Esplanade) is particularly pleasant, with Vauban Square bordering the ramparts.
The Citadel of Calais, between heritage and nature
A true green lung in the heart of Calais, the Citadel invites you on a stroll where history converses with nature. A former military fortress transformed into a leisure space, it now offers a privileged setting for walking, running, cycling, or simply enjoying a moment of relaxation. Between its ramparts, its vast green spaces, and its sports facilities, the Citadel of Calais is a must-see for discovering another facet of the Calais XXL destination.
©Nohcab A fortress steeped in history
The Citadel's origins date back to the 13th century with the construction of a fortified castle to protect this strategic town facing the English Channel. After the French recaptured Calais in 1558, the medieval quarter was transformed into a powerful bastioned fortress adapted to new warfare techniques. Occupied for several centuries by a military garrison, the Citadel also played a significant role in history during the Second World War before becoming, in the 1960s, a vast space dedicated to sports, walking, and remembrance.
The last ramparts of North Calais
The Citadel preserves the last visible ramparts of the old North Calais. These imposing fortifications bear witness to the city's military past and allow us to imagine the strategic importance of Calais throughout the centuries. Walking along the walls, visitors discover an exceptional heritage where each stone tells a story of local history, from medieval sieges and royal fortifications to Vauban's engineering marvels.
©Memory Museum 39/45 The Neptune Gate, a majestic entrance
The Neptune Gate is now the main entrance to the Citadel. Bordered by Vauban Square and framed by the ramparts, it offers a spectacular entrance to this vast historical area. Listed as a historical monument, it recalls the essential defensive role of the fortress while now welcoming walkers, cyclists, and families who come to enjoy a green setting in the heart of Calais.
©Nohcab The Boulogne Gate, a witness to medieval Calais
Located opposite the Citadel, the Porte de Boulogne marks one of the historic entrances to the fortress. It is near this gate that one can still see the remains of the old ramparts of medieval Calais, a reminder of the time when the city was one of the most coveted strongholds in Europe. Today, it provides an ideal starting point for discovering the evolution of the fortifications over the centuries.
©NohCab-Calais XXL The ramparts
A walk above the fortifications
The elevated rampart walks offer one of the most beautiful walks in the Citadel. Gaining altitude allows you to appreciate the full scale of the fortifications while enjoying unobstructed views of the moats, natural areas, and sports facilities. This walk provides a unique way to discover the Citadel's military architecture while enjoying a peaceful interlude in the heart of Calais.
©Fortified Spaces-HDF. An orienteering course in the great outdoors
The Citadel's orienteering course is also a fantastic discovery area for young and old alike. Whether with family, friends, or as part of a sporting activity, everyone can search for the various markers while exploring the paths, wooded areas, and ramparts. A fun way to combine physical activity with discovering Calais's heritage in the heart of nature.
A sensory journey to awaken the senses
Looking for a relaxing break in the heart of the city? The Citadel of Calais has a new attraction that will delight visitors of all ages. A new sensory garden invites you to an immersive, unusual, and 100% natural experience.
A unique sensory experience in Calais
Forget your shoes and let yourself be guided. This barefoot trail has been designed to stimulate your plantar receptors while offering a holistic experience for your five senses:
Touch: A variety of natural textures await your feet: pine bark, fine sand, rope, gravel and soft grass.
Hearing: Let yourself be lulled by the sounds of nature under the specially designed acoustic pergola.
The View: Plant containers carefully arranged along the path.
Smell and Taste: A discovery of the scents and flavors of the local flora for a total immersion.
For well-deserved breaks, you can take a seat on the benches carved from tree trunks.
©City of Calais 
Practical information :
To fully enjoy this family experience, here's what you need to know:
Where to find it? Inside the Citadel of Calais (avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin), near the tennis hall.
When? Accessible during the Citadel's usual opening hours, until the end of summer.
Price : Completely free access.
Expert tip: A water point is available at the end of the route to rinse your feet… Remember to bring a towel!
A space dedicated to sport and leisure
A popular meeting place for Calais athletes, the Citadel boasts numerous outdoor facilities. Football pitches, athletics tracks, sports equipment, and wide open spaces allow everyone to practice their favorite activity in a verdant setting. Joggers, walkers, and cyclists also appreciate the wide paths that crisscross the site year-round.
©NohCab-Calais XXL 
