Calais is a town in northern France, located at 50°57N 1°52E. It is in the département of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sous-préfecture.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Population: 77,000
• Originally a fishing village built on an island, it was improved by the count of Flanders in 997 and fortified by the count of Boulogne in 1224
• An industrial center with a great variety of manufactures, it has been a major commercial seaport and a communications center with England since the Middle Ages
• A major cross-channel ferry and hovercraft port, it is near the site of the Channel Tunnel linking France with England

SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

• The Burghers of Calais Monument
• Calais Town Hall
• Second World War Museum
• La Maison du Fromage et des Vins, a quiet shop for the ardent cheese lover: barrels of fine cheeses and bottles of fine wine can be bought at this tiny store