A Guide to Visiting Calais in France This Christmas

I went on a day trip to Calais in France on Saturday, the 12th of December 2010. I took a ferry trip by car that takes just one hour and thirty minutes. It was a great day out. The weather in Calais was cold, but the sun was shining all day long, so it was not freezing weather.

There are many things to do in Calais at Christmas, such as shopping and visiting a market in the town center. Here are some ideas of what to do if visiting Calais for the day or a weekend break at Christmas.

The Christmas Market - There is an inside Christmas market in the town center that sells jewelery, scarves, candles, art and crafts, paintings, food hampers and Christmas goods. You can buy Christmas gifts here like chocolate gift sets and sweets. It is a great market selling interesting and unique products.

The Grand Theater of Calais - Visit the Grand Theater to watch a visual show called The Lights of Calais: The History of Toys, which is shown daily at 5.30 pm, 6.30pm and 7.30 pm. This show using advanced technology is projected onto the walls of the theater and its surroundings. It is based on the subject of toys and has music composed for this occasion by the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. The theater is in Calais's town center.

The City Europe - This is a huge shopping mall with many shops to visit. There are a few English shops too. A great place to visit to get all of those Christmas presents. There are, also, some great coffee shops to enjoy if needing a break. If taking the car, you will need to drive to get to City Europe, which is about a twenty minute drive away from where the ferry docks in Calais.

Calais Town Center - Take a walk around Calais town center. You can walk up the street and then get a free complimentary bus back if you are tired. A great way to see some of what Calais has to offer. See great monuments and statues as you walk by. At the beginning you will pass the Light house, the Watch Tower that is very interesting to look at, the Town Hall and the Grand Theater. You will pass some boutique stores too and other shops as you walk down the high street area.

Traveling to Calais from England

There are a few ways to travel to Calais. You can either travel by car or foot via ferry or Euro Tunnel. The difference between the two is that the Euro Tunnel takes only thirty minutes and the ferry takes one hour and thirty minutes. When traveling with Euro Tunnel you have to sit in your car until the crossing is over. The ferry trip over to Calais is more enjoyable and you get to visit the duty free shop. Traveling by ferry for car owners with five people costs from £25 return. The Euro Tunnel costs from £85 return.

Visiting Calais for one day can be tiring, as the day starts by leaving very early in the morning from around 7 am and getting back at 10 pm in the evening. Why not stay for one night in Calais. There are bed and breakfast hotels in the area that can be usually booked in advance.

A great day out to Calais can be enjoyed with friends or family at Christmas time!