1. Calais Town Hall

The Town Hall is located in the centre of Calais is the most-impressive attraction this coastal town has to offer. It has a fantastic design and boasts an elegant clock tower which can be seen from many parts across town, including the Jacquard Bridge as you cross over. In the elegant front garden, artwork is on display throughout the year.

2. Parc Richelieu

A short walk from the Town Hall lies Parc Richelieu, over the Jacquard Bridge. A small park but one that is a perfect setting for a short rest or relaxation period during your walking tour on a nice, hot summer’s day. At the front of the entrance of the park is a War Memorial statue and 5 French flags flying.

3. War Museum

The War Museum in Calais is situated in the Parc Saint Pierre; opposite the Town Hall. This museum offers insights into World War II. For a €6 entrance, there are 20 rooms inside displaying photographs and objects depicting the war, including a series of interesting, interactive displays.

4. Calais Lighthouse

A short walk from Calais’ ferry terminal stands the large Calais Lighthouse. Viewable from the ferry terminal, Fort Risban and other parts of town, the Lighthouse has 271 steps to climb after paying the €2.50 entrance fee. From the top you get a great view over the town and Channel.

5. Fort Risban

After walking from the ferry terminal and past the Lighthouse, you reach Fort Risban after passing the Bassin du Paradis. There isn’t a great deal that remains of the fort that came under siege from Edward III of England’s army back in 1346, but this historic part of Calais is well worth a visit.

6. Monuments

Making up part of Calais’ history are the several monuments and statues located around town. These include Rodin’s bronze masterpiece of the Six Burghers of Calais outside the front of the Town Hall, a Remembrance Monument opposite, monuments commemorating Airman Gilbert Brazy and the Pluviose Monument both located nearby Fort Risban, a column dedicated to S. M. Louis XVIII on the main street walking past the Bassin du Paradis, a War Memorial at the entrance of Parc Richelieu and even a statue dedicated to former mayor, Leon Vincent, amongst others.

7. Fine Arts and Lace Museum

Works from Rodin, including an insight into his famous Six Burghers of Calais monument evolved can be found inside the Fine Arts and Lace Museum which is located opposite Parc Richelieu. Other works inside include Pablo Picasso and Dubuffet and can be viewed from €3 at the door.

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Torre de Hercules was already built by the Romans in the 2nd century. As already mentioned, it is still working, which makes it a unique monument. Torre de Hercules is 68 meters high; there are 234 stairs leading to the top. The lighting ensures a group of 4 lights that flash every 20 seconds and is visible up to a distance of 39 km. Torre de Hercules and this entire site is otherwise surrounded by a series of legends.

Around the tower Torre de Hercules there is the Statue Park, an open-air museum. There are more than 15 sculptures by major artists of the 20th Century, such as Francisco Leiro or Pablo Serrano. For local residents the most important sculpture is Breogan, which is the mythological father of the population of Galicia.

Thanks to its historical significance, Torre de Hercules is registered since 2009 in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Not far from tower you can also visit A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, the Roman walls of Lugo city, Aquarium Finisterrae.

View Torre de Hércules – the oldest active lighthouse in the world Spain in a larger map

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The area where the Needles can be found is known as the Jurassic Coast. It is here that the land has been folded as a result of tectonics over the course of millions of years. As a result, the almost vertical strands of rocks can be seen throughout the region. Chalk is one of the more resilient rocks and as a result has continued to stand long after the clays and sandstones have washed away.

The Needles, Isle of Wight, UK by Peter Pearson

It was known that back in the beginning of the eighteenth century, there were four needles in the formation. However, in 1764 a storm ravished the area and knocked over one of the rocks. The name the Needles dates back hundreds of years. Today though, the rocks have lost their needle-like appearance as a result of erosion by the waves.

Another popular attraction in the area is the Needles Lighthouse which was built back in 1859. It has been operational ever since. However, in order to reduce costs and manpower, the lighthouse was automated back in 1994.

There is also an amusement park that can be found on a nearby cliff that over looks the geological land formation. Known as the Needles Pleasure Park, it has grown to become a very popular destination in the area. The park is most well known for the chairlift that takes people to Alum Bay and back.

The headlands that overlook the Needles are home to several gun batteries as well as an experimental testing facility for rockets. While the batteries were in use during the 1950s and 60s, they have long since been decommissioned. The rocket test facility is located mostly underground and was operated by as many as 240 people during the 1960s. Part of the underground facilities have been completely restored and are currently open to the public.

There are a number of old Coastguard cottages that can be found in the area. Now under National Trust, the cottages are available for rental throughout the year. People who wish to have a party in the area, or that would like to visit and stay can rent the Coastguard cottages.

Most of the park and surrounding countryside can be travelled using bicycle or on foot. However, when there is a high wind warning in the area, the site where the batteries are located is closed for safety reasons.

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