Translating as the French equivalent of the Straits of Dover, Pas-de-Calais is the region bordering The Channel, renowned for chic seaside towns such as Le Touquet, and for the long sandy beaches along what the French call La Cote d’Opale, or Opal Coast. A mere 20-odd miles from England, Pas-de-Calais has a huge amount to offer, from its three National Parks and enchanting Flemish architecture, to its watersports and beach resorts, while everywhere you go you can enjoy simple, unassuming gourmet restaurants and fantastically fresh, seafood-based regional cuisine. Along with its famous seaside towns of Le Touquet, Boulogne-sur-mer and Wimereux, Pas-de-Calais has stunning inland towns, including St.-Omer with its fortified upper old town and gothic cathedral, Arras, with two beautiful squares surrounded by Flemish-style facades, and Montreuil-sur-Mer, with a historic upper town surrounded by ramparts and citadel. As well as some of the finest, widest beaches in France, and haunting, evocative WWII battle sites, the region also boasts the stark, windswept wilds of Cap Griz Nez. Often neglected by visitors in their rush from the French ferry ports down to Paris and beyond, Pas-de-Calais is a fascinating, diverse, and captivatingly beautiful region, just a stone’s throw from home across The Channel.
Local highlights
Seaside towns with fabulous seafood restaurants; Anglo-Norman and Art Deco architecture in the super chic Le Touquit; the castle museum, basilica and belfry of Boulogne-sur-Mer; a stroll along the promenade at elegant Wimereux; St-Omer’s narrow, winding streets, fortified upper old town and 13th century Notre Dame cathedral; the Flemish- baroque Heros and Grande Place squares of Arras, surrounded with cafes selling local gingerbreads, and galleries selling local artwork; the citadel and ramparts of Montreuil-sur-mer; locally brewed beer and cider; visit the crystal glass factory at Arque; Opal Capes and Marshes natural reserve, crisscrossed by waymarked trails; the 500ft sheer chalk cliffs at Blanc-Nez Cape, with footpath running above it.
Getting out and about
With the most extensive rail network in Western Europe, France is a great country to explore by train. The nationally owned SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer) runs fast, efficient services between the main towns. Buses cover the rural areas, but services can be rather sporadic, with departures often at awkward times. If you really want to get off the beaten track, by far the best option is your own car.
Travel arrangements
Very easily accessible, with short sailings from Dover to Calais by ferry with P&O Stena in 75 minutes, Eurotunnel crossing Folkestone to Calais in about 35 minutes, by hovercraft in 40 minutes and Seacat Folkestone to Boulogne in about 50 minutes.