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| Calais |
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Calais, as the biggest European port,
can legitmately lay claim to the title of "Gateway to Europe".
The Romans, Spanish, English and Germans have all taken Calais at various times throughout history. The most recent invasion was during the Second World War when the town was under German occupation. Relics of its colourful past still remain. Large sections of the old walls are preserved at the Citadelle. The remains of the Watch Tower built in 1229 dominate the Place d’Armes. The church tower of Notre Dame, built during the English occupation of Calais is slowly, through renovation, regaining its former splendour. The quayside in the oldest part of the port is intact. The statue of the Six Burghers by Rodin which stands before the flamboyant Town Hall, is a powerful reminder of the siege of 1347. |
Shopping: The main shopping streets in
Calais are boulevard Jacquard, boulevard
Lafayette and rue Royale. Market days are
on Wednesday and Saturday mornings
in the Place d’Armes and on Thursday
and Saturday mornings in the Place
Crèvecoeur.
Attractions: Second World War Museum:
situated in pretty Parc St Pierre opposite
the town hall, this museum was once
command post to the German Navy.
Twenty rooms full of objects, photographs
and interactive displays illustrate the
history of Calais and the surrounding area
from the 1940 battle to the liberation in
1944.
Fine Arts Museum: This includes
amazing works of art by Rodin and an
insight into how his famous bronze of
the Six Burghers evolved. There is also a
collection of 20th century masterpieces by
painters and sculptors such as Dubuffet
and Pablo Picasso.
International City of Lace and Fashion of Calais: The site of this museum, the
Boulart factory, is one of the last great
factories from the 1870’s, situated in the
heart of Calais. A blend of memory and
modernity, this museum bears witness to
the industrial history of Calais and Saint-Pierre and of the tulles and laces that
brought them renown and wealth from
the early 19th century.
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| Boulogne |
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Boulogne, awarded the title of "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" has much to offer its visitiors.
Perched on a hill, the charming old town with it's cobbled streets and ramparts boasts an impressive cathedral, a Town Hall of classical design, a belfry dating from the 12th century and a superb Château Museum. The multi-purpose port of Boulogne with its commercial harbour and yachting marina is also a leading European centre of fish and seafood processing. |
Shopping: The main shopping streets in
the lower town are the Grand Rue, rue
Thiers, rue Victor Hugo and rue Nationale.
The old town is good for gifts and
restaurants. Freshly caught fish is sold on
the quayside, boulevard Gambetta, every
day. Market days are Wednesday and
Saturday mornings at Place Dalton.
Attractions: Nausicaá: The French National
Sea Experience Centre, is devoted to
discovering the marine environment and to
raising public awareness of the need to live
in harmony with the sea.
The Château Museum: Constructed
in the 13th century at the same time as
the ramparts, this was the first castle to
be built without a keep in the history
of military architecture. The Museum
houses fascinating collections of Egyptian
antiquities, antique Greek vases, Eskimo
masks, pottery, porcelain, fine and
medieval arts.
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| Saint-Omer |
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Saint-Omer, a delightful market town situated on the edge of Flanders and surrounded on three sides by a vast area of farmed marshland, has a rich architectural heritage.
Opposite the famous splendid park, the
Cathedral of Notre Dame rises up from its
close in the original centre of town. The
Hotel Sandelin, the ruins of the Abbey
of Saint Bertin and the former Jesuit
Colleges all bear witness to an illustrious
past. In this lively and pleasant town, you
may experience the vivid atmosphere of
pedestrian streets or take a picturesque
walk around the ramparts. |
Shopping:Place Foch, rue de Dunkerque,
rue des Clouteries, rue Louis Martel are
the main shopping areas in Saint-Omer.
Market day is held on Saturday morning in
the Place Foch.
Attractions: Hotel Sandelin Museum: This mansion house was built in 1776-1777 as a winter residence for Marie-Josephe Sandelin, countess of Fruges.
Three adjoining salons on the ground
floor look onto the gardens. These three
rooms are listed and protected under
the Monuments Historiques initiative.
The tour of the house, which focuses on
history, fine arts and ceramics, has been
extended to 21 exhibition rooms, which
bring the museum’s collections to life in a
remarkable setting. |
Fax: 01785 214217
The Somme
