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Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

Calais, Opal Coast

About this place

Located just a few minutes from downtown, specifically in the Courgain neighborhood, the Calais Lighthouse rises 59 meters above sea level.

Built in 1848 to replace the beacon of the ancient Guet Tower, it now guides ships with its automated white flashing lights.
Originally powered by oil, then by kerosene, the lighthouse was electrified in 1883 before being automated in 1992.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Calais Lighthouse withstood the destruction of northern Calais during the wars and today towers over the city.

The lighthouse regularly hosts exhibitions and events dedicated to the history of lighthouses and maritime signaling, as well as the preservation of the natural heritage of the Opal Coast. Visitors brave enough to climb the 271 steps can also enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the lantern.

Today, its smooth operation is thanks to lighthouse and beacon technicians.

What to do nearby?

Upcoming events in Calais.

Festival 15 August

Courgain Maritime Festival

Calais

Courgain Maritime Festival The Courgain Maritime Festival will take place on August 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Calais. The day begins with a Mass at St. Pierre-St. Paul Church, followed by a procession to the harbor. In the Courgain Maritime neighborhood, you can enjoy entertainment, restaurants serving seafood dishes, nautical competitions, and concerts. Feel free to explore the Courgain Maritime neighborhood to discover these activities and enjoy the day.
category.Découverte 22 August

Introduction to Radio-Controlled Flying

Calais

Introduction to Radio-Controlled Boating Members of the Calaisis Naval Model Club are offering an introduction to piloting their radio-controlled model ships. This introductory session will take place on August 22, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Calais. With the help of the modelers, you’ll learn the basics of radio-controlled sailing and how to operate these miniature ships.
Workshop 29 August

DIY Workshop: Personalize a Water Bottle and a Snack Box

Calais

DIY Workshop: Personalize a Water Bottle and a Snack Box Saturday, August 29, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., come enjoy a creative family activity at the Fablab on the ground floor of Calais Cœur de vie, located on Boulevard Jacquard in Calais. For 15 euros, you can customize a water bottle and a snack box. It’s a great activity to get ready for back-to-school! Everyone is welcome, accompanied by an adult. Registration and information: contact@mdnicalaisis.com, 03.66.62.50.00.

Other places to discover

Lighthouse

The Gravelines Lighthouse

Gravelines

Completed in 1843 and designated a Historic Monument in 2010, the lighthouse located in the former town of Petit-Fort-Philippe stands 29 meters tall. At its base, you’ll find the lighthouse keepers’ house, and after climbing 116 steps, you’ll reach the top, where you can admire the Opal Coast with its beaches—such as Oye-Plage— the mouth of the Aa River, and many other scenic views. Its black-and-white color scheme stems from the fact that sailors were unable to see the lighthouse; it was therefore adorned with a black spiral, which makes it so unique. Decommissioned in 1935 following the retirement of its last keeper, the lighthouse is now open to the public.
Lighthouse

The Canche Lighthouse

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

Listed as a Historic Monument since April 9, 2011, the Le Touquet lighthouse overlooks the entire luxury resort. Considered the most “landlocked” lighthouse—due to its location set back from the sea and its orange-colored bricks—it stands nearly 58 meters tall and has a range of 46 km. It was commissioned in September 1951, but the Canche Lighthouse is not the town’s first; in fact, nearly 100 years earlier, two lighthouses were put into service to prevent the numerous shipwrecks along the coast. Blown up during World War II, it took six years before the new lighthouse’s light could be seen again. Its unique octagonal tower was designed by the famous Louis Quételart, a prominent local architect responsible for more than 30 villas in Le Touquet, including Pomme d’Api and Les Mutins. After climbing 274 steps, Le Touquet unfolds before you in a 360° panorama, taking you from the Bay of La Canche to the Normandy Cliffs, passing by the ramparts of the town of Montreuil. Just a short walk away, you’ll find the lighthouse house, a building that first housed the masters and later the keepers of the Canche Lighthouse; today, it serves as the lighthouse museum and offers a wealth of anecdotes about the seaside resort of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.
Lighthouse

Risban Lighthouse

Dunkerque

A landmark of the Dunkirk landscape, the Risban Lighthouse—the northernmost in France—stands on the ruins of a fort built by Vauban. Designated a “Historic Monument,” a visit to the lighthouse includes an exhibition on maritime signaling housed in the former keepers’ quarters. Visitors must climb 276 steps to enjoy a magnificent view of the harbor, the city, and the Flemish plain.
Religious building

Notre-Dame Church

Calais

Having survived bombings and several construction projects, Calais’s oldest building now stands on Rue de Croy. When construction began in the 13th century, Adrien de Wissant had the church built on the site of the current transept. Extensive expansion projects were then undertaken through the 16th century, and it was during the English occupation that the upper sections of the nave, the choir, and the bell tower were built. Built in the Tudor style, this church drew on its British influences to reach its final form in the 17th century; a chapel and a Baroque altarpiece were added at that time. A testament to medieval architecture, the Church of Notre-Dame de Calais also features a massive tower supporting the bell tower at the intersection of the transept and the nave. As you head toward the north side of the nave, you’ll notice a cistern with a capacity of 1,800 m³ that was used to collect rainwater; it was built by Vauban in 1691 to meet the population’s needs in the event of a siege. It was in this building that General de Gaulle and Yvonne Vendroux were married in 1921. Nothing could prevent the Allied bombings during World War II, which occurred one week before the city’s liberation; as a result, the bell tower collapsed onto the transept, and the altarpiece sustained severe damage. Since then, the church has undergone extensive restoration, which will allow visitors to appreciate the full originality of its architecture.
Monument

City Hall

Calais

It is across from Parc St. Pierre, on a large sandy area once known as “the Sahara Plain,” that the cities of Calais and St. Pierre decided to build Calais City Hall, a symbol of their reunification. Architect Louis Debrouwer initiated its construction in 1912. He decided to build the structure out of reinforced concrete and clad it with red hollow bricks from Kortrijk, as well as white stone sculptures. Built in the Neo-Flemish style, the building features a majestic 75-meter-tall belfry that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Its magnificent stained-glass windows depict the liberation of Calais from English rule by the Duke of Guise. The town hall is also well known as the venue for the wedding of General de Gaulle and Yvonne Vendroux. It houses the splendid wedding hall, the grand salon, the council chamber, and the ceremonial hall in the belfry.
Fortification

The Citadel

Calais

Built on the ruins of a medieval castle, the citadel is located at the northwest corner of the city (Avenue Pierre De Coubertin). It was Philippe le Hurperel, Count of Boulogne, who, in 1229, decided to build a medieval castle consisting of a square enclosure with six towers and a keep to protect the city. Initially inhabited by the counts of Boulogne and Artois, it later became a residence for the kings of England until 1558: Edward III resided there and fortified it for the first time. Since the medieval castle no longer met the needs of warfare, it was decided to build a citadel. Many houses were razed to make way for the construction site. Vauban (already known for Fort Nieulay) oversaw the restoration of the fortifications. Ultimately, the castle was completely destroyed in the 19th century. Visitors can still see the medieval ramparts, the emergency gate known as the “Porte de Boulogne,” and the Neptune Gate, also called the “Porte Royale.” Some of these gates have been designated as historic monuments, as have the moats and curtain walls. Today, the Citadel is surrounded by a neighborhood built in the regional style (red brick) dating from World War II and features a walking area and sports facilities. In fact, electric boats are available to cruise along the walls and explore the ruins in a different way. Now converted into a multi-sport and school stadium, the citadel features soccer fields, rugby fields, tennis courts, and more, allowing everyone to enjoy sports in a stunning historic setting.

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