Looking for an easy change of scenery guaranteed to delight the entire family? Why not try Calais? Imagine the ecstatic faces of children on the back of a dragon. Picture their surprise when they gaze upon the English coastline from the top of a lighthouse. Calais is a place of intense shared emotions!
Along chilling roar, a few grunts, and there he is - rising from a thick cloud of smoke. The colossal, grandiose Calais Dragon approaches, with amazing agility given his huge bulk. A flutter of wings, a smouldering glance and your family is en route to a magical childhood experience accompanied by the incredibly lifelike 72-tonne wood-and-steel beast. You wait impatiently to climb up his tail and take your place on the platform (secured by a guardrail, of course). There’s plenty of room for the whole family to experience the trip together. Standing next to the operator who brings the wings and tail to life, you’re an integral part of the show and have a front row seat to admire all the interesting details.
From up high, gaze in wonder upon a perfect view of the beautifully renovated Calais waterfront, the jetty, the garlands of white cabins and the beautiful strip of sand which stretches all the way to Sangatte.
The urban vista is also shown off by the Dragon Pilot, who will take you to Notre-Dame, the only French Tudor-style church and the place where General de Gaulle got married.
Gaze from afar upon the architecture of Calais town hall, one of the most beautiful of its kind in France. Ascend to the top of its belfry (by lift… it’s quite a ride) where from 65 metres up the view of the city will take your breath away. The kids will have shivers down their spine! In the meantime,
settle down on the back of the Dragon and escape the daily grind at 4 km/hour (the saurian’s maximum speed), gently swaying in the refreshing salty breeze. And it’s not the end of this adventure – monitor lizards and a whole family of iguanas will join the Dragon in 2022. Well worth another trip!
The coast of England ahoy!
How can you still tantalise the children after such a magical ride? Why not invite them on another climb – up the 271 steps of the almost two-centuries-old Calais lighthouse. It’s resplendent in vivid white and topped in black, sitting serenely atop a beautiful cushion of greenery. Upon entry, you plunge into an ancient and poetic universe with rapeseed oil lamps and lighthouse keepers who’ve spent their entire lives on the winding staircase. At the 58-metre high summit you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city, the port, the incessant dance of ferries, and the English coast, which seems almost within grasp and yet so far away. An amazing adventure!
A ride on a Dragon? Ride on the back of the Calais Dragon (free for kids under 4).
201 Winston Churchill
Avenue, Calais
Staying over
The Hôtel Ibis Styles Calais Centre is located in the heart of the city, near the car ferry port and close to Eurotunnel. Family rooms and children’s play area.
46 rue Royale, Calais
Le Cercle de Malines
B&B, family suite
12 rue de Malines, Calais
Eating out
At The London for its fresh produce and children’s menu.
12 place d’Armes, Calais
At The Hovercraft, for its Welsh rarebit, homemade fish & chips and authentic
British accents.
11 place Foch, Calais
At L’Aquar’Aile, for its breath-taking view of the sea and the English coast, its contemporary setting and its fine food.
255 rue Jean Moulin, Calais
Shopping
Calais Vins to choose the best wines, Champagnes and beers from France and elsewhere.
28 rue Gutenberg, Calais
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