Discover the Real Calais | France
Calais isn’t one of the first places that springs to mind when you consider your next French holiday. It was the last English bastion lost to the French by Mary Tudor who claimed that it would be forever imprinted on her heart. However, Calais today has frequently represented a quick trip across the Channel to stock up on cheap alcohol or simply a stepping stone to explore what we perceive as more salubrious regions of France.
If you’re considering cycling holidays in France this year here are five reasons why Calais shouldn’t simply be discarded from your list of potential destinations.
Calais
Just 21 miles from the cliffs of Dover, Calais itself is home to several historical attractions, including La Forteresse de Mimoyecques. The fortress is what remains of a German bunker constructed to fire shells at London during the Second World War. Comprising a maze of tunnels and chambers which can be accessed from the hillside it’s here that Joseph Kennedy – the brother of US President John F Kennedy died during an air raid in 1944.
Before leaving Calais itself, pay a visit to the oldest building in Calais, the Watch Tower. Constructed in the 13th century it suffered from an earthquake in the 16th century, a fire in the 17th century and the ravages of the Second World War in the 20th century.
Tower in Calais / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Nick
Montreuil
Steeped in history, the cobbled streets of this quaint village were apparently the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. For those of you with an interest in battlefields, there is of course the battle site of Agincourt close to Montreuil. The Battle of Agincourt took place in 1415. Around 6,000 English soldiers took up arms against a French army comprised of highly skilled noblemen who outnumbered them by approximately five to one. Even if you’re not a history buff, there are no prizes for guessing who won the day.
Further afield you’ll find the site of the Field of the Cloth of Gold which commemorates the much vaunted meeting between Henry VIII and King Francis I of France in 1520.
There’s also a stunning chocolatier in Montreuil. After a hard day’s cycling you deserve it.
Montreuil-sur-Mer / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by openroads.com
La Coupoule (Eperlecques)
Continuing the war theme, the World War Two concrete bunker – or blockhaus- can also be found close to Calais. Eperlecques was the German bunker where Hitler intended to launch his deadly V2 rockets on London. Thankfully, the European Allies bombed it before he had a chance to carry out his deadly plans. Now known as La Coupoule you can still see the huge crater caused by one of the Allied bombs and gaze in disbelief at the door to the bunker – it’s a hefty seven feet thick.
St Omer
Away from the stark reminders of modern and not so modern history lies the elegant town of St Omer with its iconic Gothic cathedral. With hundreds of miles of waterways, 150 homes are located in an area named Audomarois and can only be reached by boat. Time to park the bike for a short while and explore the surrounding rivers and woodlands.
For lovers of wildlife there are over 200 species of birdlife. As you ride you may notice a distinct aroma of cauliflower. If you do, you’re not imagining it. The marsh surrounding Audomarois produces five million heads of cauliflower every year. If an overdose of cauliflower is your version of gastronomic hell there are plenty of cheese cellars throughout the region and if you head back to Montreuil you’ll find a specialist winery. You can pop back in and see the chocolatier while you’re there.
St-Omer, France / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by openroads.com
The Beaches
The region of Calais also conceals a number of beaches for you to linger on after your cycling efforts. Head to Wimereux where you’ll be able to join the locals hunting for shrimps or you can continue along the coast to the Bay of Wissant. The resort of Le Tuquet has countless grass-covered dunes with a cycle track leading the way around them.
Wherever you travel in France, you’ll find acres of rolling hillside, welcoming vineyards, ancient castles and gastronomic delights. Perhaps as you begin your adventures this year you might consider a brief stop at an often forgotten town.
Kate Smedley recommends stopping off at Calais during your cycling holidays in France
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