La Via Francigena

Departure: CALAIS Arrival: WISSANT

Distance 20,3km

The official starting point on continental soil of the Via Francigena is in front of the Church of Our Lady, an architectural jewel in the English Perpendicular style and its Tudor gardens.

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La Via Francigena
Eglise Notre-Dame de Calais - 62100 CALAIS

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The continental route of the Via Francigena begins in front of the Notre-Dame church in Calais, a jewel of English Perpendicular style surrounded by Tudor Gardens. It crosses Calais la Plage, then follows the coastline of the Opal Coast towards the Grand Site des Deux Caps, passes through Blériot-Plage and Sangatte, then climbs to the summit of Cap Blanc-Nez, at the foot of the Dover Patrol obelisk, before descending towards Wissant, the end of this first stage of 20,3 kilometers.

Wrought iron symbol of the Via Francigena on the facade of Notre Dame Church in Calais

From the coast to the Two Capes

The Via Francigena invites you to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind, passing through Calais la Plage, where the Sea Dragon and the Traveling Varan watch over the seafront. The waymarking then guides you along the Opal Coast, offering panoramic views towards the Grand Site des Deux Caps, with the English coast visible to the right if the weather cooperates.

After Blériot-Plage and Sangatte, the path climbs to the top of Cap Blanc-Nez, where the Dover Patrol obelisk stands, before descending towards Wissant, where this first section ends.

The Via Francigena in Calais