Calais is more than the place you drive out of. Here's what I'd do with a day there, from Rodin's Burghers and a ride on a giant mechanical dragon to the beach and the cliffs where you can see England.
Most people drive straight out of Calais. If you've got a few hours, it's worth stopping. Everything below comes from the Calais tourist office or the attractions' own sites, and I checked it on 10 November 2026.
Plan your visit
| Place | Open | Adult ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Musée des Beaux-Arts | Tue–Fri 9:30am–6pm, weekends 12:30–6pm (until 5:30pm November to March) | Free |
| Lighthouse | Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am–12pm and 2–5:30pm, outside summer and school holidays | €6 (under-15s €2, family pass €12) |
| The Dragon of Calais | Times vary: book on its website | €9.50 (ages 4–11 €7.50) |
The Musée des Beaux-Arts is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November, and 24, 25 and 31 December. In summer (June to September) the lighthouse opens every day.
1. The town hall, the belfry and Rodin's Burghers
The town hall and its belfry are at the heart of Calais, and the tourist office says the belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, a painting shows the Burghers of Calais handing over the keys of the city to King Edward III.
Opposite the belfry stands Auguste Rodin's Monument to the Burghers of Calais. It commemorates six leading citizens who offered themselves in 1347 to spare the city. The bronze was unveiled in 1895, and it's one of the most photographed places in Calais. Calais Ville station is right opposite the town hall.
2. The Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Rodin Gallery
Entry to the Musée des Beaux-Arts is free for everyone. It shows paintings and sculpture, especially from the 19th and 20th centuries, and its Rodin Gallery, opened in 2025, holds 21 works on loan from the Rodin Museum in Paris. It's at 25 rue Richelieu, five minutes' walk from Calais Ville station. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
3. Ride the Dragon of Calais
The Dragon of Calais is a giant mechanical creature of steel and carved wood, created by the artist François Delaroziere. Forty-eight passengers climb onto its back by a staircase built into its tail, and it can run at up to 4 km/h as it travels the seafront. A trip lasts 45 minutes to an hour, with commentary from the machinists, and the covered platform on its back looks out over the beach and the Côte d'Opale.
The 2026 fares are €9.50 for ages 12 and over and €7.50 for ages 4 to 11. You can buy tickets at the counter or online, and the ticket office opens 30 minutes before the first departure. The Dragon and its companion, the Varan de Voyage, perform all year. The Cité du Dragon is at 201 Avenue Winston Churchill, a stone's throw from the pier.
4. Climb the lighthouse
The Calais lighthouse has been working since 1848. Climb the 271 steps of the lighthouse, and on a clear day you can see England. The balcony at the top gives a 360° view, though it closes in high winds and storms. The maritime room on the ground floor is free to visit. Children under five go up free, with an adult.
Climb the 271 steps of the lighthouse, and on a clear day you can see England.
5. The lace museum
The Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode tells the story of Calais-Caudry lace, in a former 19th-century factory, and the lace looms are demonstrated as part of the permanent exhibition. Until 3 January 2027 there's an exhibition on the designers Maurizio Galante and Tal Lancman. <!-- until:2027-01-03 --> It's at 135 quai du Commerce, and the Majest'in river shuttle stops there.
6. The beach
Calais beach stretches for more than a kilometre of fine sand, and it's a 15-minute walk from the station. You can watch the ferries heading for England, and on a clear day you can see the English cliffs. The Dragon roams the seafront here, and the free skatepark is the largest outdoor one in Hauts-de-France.
7. The markets
The market on Place d'Armes is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The Saint-Pierre market on Place Crèvecœur runs on Thursday and Saturday mornings, with fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese and regional specialities from local producers.
8. Cité Europe
Cité Europe sits at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, a few minutes from Calais. It has 140 shops, a Carrefour hypermarket, 12 cinema screens and around fifteen restaurants. The tourist office points out that since Brexit, UK residents can reclaim VAT on purchases in France. Check your duty-free allowance before you fill the boot.
9. Cap Blanc-Nez
Cap Blanc-Nez is the closest point to England, 33 km away, and stands 134 metres high. It's a Grand Site de France, a label the coast of the two capes (Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez) first received in 2011. From the top there are views across the strait, and on a clear day of the English coast. There are car parks nearby, and the cape is open all year. In high season, the free Div'in double-decker bus (line 5) runs there from Calais Ville station.
Getting around from the ferry
The tourist office says the port is a 20-minute walk or a 7-minute drive from the town centre. Calais's buses are free: the Imag'in network has 13 lines, and no ticket is needed. The free Balad'in shuttle runs around the centre from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm, every 10 to 15 minutes, and it also stops at the car ferry terminal. Parking is free across the Calais area, with a few rare exceptions.
If you're going on foot, P&O Ferries takes foot passengers on Dover to Calais.
Getting to Calais
Book the Dover to Calais ferry: the route page shows who sails, crossing times and the latest fares. Wondering about the tunnel instead? See ferry or Eurotunnel. For more ideas, see my guide to day trips to France and things to do in Dunkirk.
