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Around a 60-minute drive inland from Calais, the Citadel of Montreuil is well worth a visit on your road trip around the northwest coastal regions of France. Nestled on the remains of an old royal chateau, the citadel dates back centuries and is totally gorgeous to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Covering a pretty large expanse, the citadel is the perfect afternoon stop as part of a wider road trip. Easily visited alone, or with a guide, you\u2019ll also be able to take part in some of the workshops held within the citadel, too. You\u2019ll get to try your hands at skills like engraving, stained glass and pottery. You\u2019ll leave a pro!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afterwards, hop into Le Pot du Clape for their tasty lunches. Their menu is always so delicious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0The best places to visit in France<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Lille\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Probably one of my favourite Northern French cities, Lille is one of the best places near Calais that\u2019s within easy reach of the port. A short drive of around 80-minutes and you\u2019ll have arrived from Calais itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Over the years, we\u2019ve visited Lille a number of times and have always fallen in love with it more and more. Once here, be sure to stroll the city centre and stop by Meert that\u2019s an iconic patisserie in Lille. Their waffles are incredible. Heck, all their desserts are!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, take a wander around the Citadel, check out the vintage bookstalls in the historic stock exchange of La Vieille Bourse. We always find some treasure to take back home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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And for some delicious food, head over to Le Barbier qui fume. Their smoked meats (with beech wood) are so yummy!\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can easily stay in Lille for a number of days and it\u2019s great for a long weekend break.<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0The best places to visit in France<\/strong><\/p>\n3.) Hardelot Castle<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Hardelot Castle or Ch\u00e2teau d\u2019Hardelot in French is well worth a gander and around a 50-minute drive from Calais Port itself. Here, you\u2019ll be able to wander the gorgeous grounds, check out the interiors of the neo-gothic castle that was built back in the 1800s. A great little stopping point for an hour or two.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Plus, you can easily partner this with a trip to one of the best beaches in the region, Plage d\u2019\u00c9cault or Plage d\u2019Hardelot. The sandy shore is just so stunning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Fancy some time to stretch your legs? Head over to Dunes du Mont Saint-Frieux where you\u2019ll find a number of trails that are pretty gorgeous. The whole coastline trails are just spectacular.\u00a0<\/p>\n
4.) Calais<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s so easy to just bypass Calais (I personally think the road system in Calais is designed for this when arriving by ferry). This means that Calais is often seen solely as a through-point to enter France itself. Though don\u2019t be fooled, the town centre has a fair few gems that are worth stopping for a few hours trip (or even overnight).\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re pondering a visit, make sure to check out the gorgeous Town Hall, UNESCO protected site and one of the exceptional landmarks in Calais itself.\u00a0 Its construction began in 1911 in commemoration of the merger of the Calais with Saint Pierre. It was finally completed way back in 1925 and is stunning to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside, it boasts some totally gorgeous renaissance architecture and the whopping clock tower that stands at 75 meters tall.<\/p>\n
If that\u2019s not your thing, best sure to check out the nearby lighthouse that\u2019s one of the best places near Calais to visit when at the shorefront. Established in 1848. It reached full automation in 1987 and earned recognition as a historic site in 2011. Now, what makes it really special is its distinct octagonal shape; plus, it offers a spectacular and extensive view of the town and coastline itself. Yeah, you need to climb up 271 steps to reach the balcony but from the top, you can spot the incredible white cliffs of Dover on the other side of the English Channel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Don\u2019t fancy climbing hundreds of stairs? Then check out Courgain Maritime; Calais\u2019 historic fishing district. It grants a glimpse of the town\u2019s medieval days and is well worth a gander if you\u2019ve got a little time to spare. The 40-meter ancient tower, Tour du Guet, dates back to the 13th century and once functioned as the town\u2019s lighthouse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hankering for a stroll, then pop into\u00a0Parc Richelieu.\u00a0Across from the Museum of Fine Arts, Parc Richelieu is an open-air park perfect for leisurely strolls on a nice sunny day. You\u2019ll also notice a heap of artwork and sculptures alongside the iconic statue of De Gaulle and Churchill.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to visit the 600-year-old church known as Eglise Notre Dame. Taking hundreds of years to complete, its Calais\u2019 oldest church is famous for its stunning architecture which is a result of the mix of Flemish and English styles. The statues of Angels, St Louis and Charlemagne are total gems to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Come ashore on a rainy day? Head straight over to the\u00a0Mus\u00e9e des Beaux Arts de Calais.\u00a0Situated in Parc Richelieu, the major art museum of Calais holds an admirable collection of French, Flemish, and Dutch artworks.\u00a0 Among the thirty exceptional artists featured here are French painter Eug\u00e8ne Boudin and Gerrit van Honthors.<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0The best places to visit in France<\/strong><\/p>\n5.) Boulogne-sur-Mer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Fancying some time on the coastline? Then pop right over to the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Around a 40-minute drive from Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer is one of the best places near Calais to visit if you\u2019re starting to venture further west.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, you can stroll the historic promenade and chill on the sandy shore in the summer. The beaches in Northern France are incredibly lovely; especially around Boulevard Sainte-Beuve.<\/p>\n
For marine lovers, hope into Nausica\u00e1, the largest public aquarium in all of Europe. Alternatively, if that\u2019s not your thing, hop over to the castle of Boulogne-sur-Mer that\u2019s picture-perfect. Oh, and don\u2019t forget about the Crypts of the Basilica of Notre Dame; trust me, it\u2019s well worth visiting for the history.\u00a0<\/p>\n
6.) Saint-Omer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Saint-Omer is all about history and tradition and the perfect stopping point when driving between Calais and Lille. You see, It\u2019s a gorgeous little market town that\u2019s filled with 18th-century townhouses and cobblestone streets that are too good to miss and perfect for an afternoon galavant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, you\u2019ll be able to check out the\u00a0Cathedral of Notre Dame, Eglise Saint-Denis, and pop into H\u00f4tel Sandelin. Not only that, you\u2019ve got the incredible La Coupole, a museum focused on the town\u2019s history to explore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Getting hungry? Reserve a table at Claire\u2019Marais that serves up some of the best dishes in town!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
7.) Ardres<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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Around a 25-minute drive from the port, it\u2019s one of the best places near Calais that\u2019s totally easy to visit as soon as you arrive in France. Although this commune is pretty small, it packs a hefty punch when it comes to charm; we love it!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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After parking up, head around Ardres and spot the gorgeous Mairie d\u2019Ardres (Town Hall) and grab a bite to eat at La Maison du Chef (their seasonal menu is just so tasty).<\/p>\n
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Alternatively, drive over to the nearby Saint Joseph Village that\u2019s a total reconstruction of a village from the early 1900s. It\u2019s pretty kitsch and cute.<\/p>\n
8.) Cap Gris-Nez<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Looking to steer clear of the towns and cities in Northern France? Then, the area Cap Gris-Nez is the spot for you. The whole peninsula is pristine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As you wander the coastline, you\u2019ll be able to stop off at Lighthouse Cap Gris-Nez, visit some of the historic forts from the war and soak up the sunshine on a nice summer day. Plus, you\u2019ve got the iconic Fort d\u2019Ambleteuse that\u2019s not too far away, either.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s one of the best places near Calais to visit if you\u2019re not fancying any hectic plans. It\u2019s all totally chilled around here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the resident seals that call this shoreline home alongside all the wildlife around the Cap Gris Nez and Cap Blanc Nez cliff edges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0The best places to visit in France<\/strong><\/p>\n\n15 Best Places In France To Visit In Summer<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n