12 Historical Sites to Visit in Pas-de-Calais
A dozen sites around this fascinating part of France that no history buff should miss…
1. AZINCOURT
It’s humbling to look over such an important but ultimately small area that has changed little in the past 600 years. The excellent interactive museum brings the battle of October 25, 1415. vividly to life.
Azincourt
2. ARRAS WELLINGTON QUARRY
This offers an emotional and hard- hitting insight into the run-up to the Battle of Arras, all the more so because the offensive ultimately achieved so little. Expertly recreated with the latest technology, it’s a must-visit.
Wellington Quarry, Arras, © GILLIAN THORNTON, SHUTTERSTOCK, YANNICK CADART
3. ÉTAPLES CEMETERY
Every military cemetery packs a punch but few more than this one, which underlines the numbers involved (there are 10,771 WWI graves) and the devastation caused to so many families across the Commonwealth.
Etaples Military Cemetery
4. LOUVRE-LENS
This excellent art museum’s Time Gallery is temporarily closed until December 4, 2024, while 250 replacement works of art are brought from Paris and displayed in chronological order: Other areas remain open.
Louvre Lens exterieur
5. ARRAS
The Tourist Office in the Town Hall opens daily for access by lift to the bell tower and for guided tours of the boves below the city’s cobblestone streets. Catch the bustling market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Place des Heros, Arras
6. MONTREUIL
Just 15km inland from Le Touquet, Montreuil is renowned for its food shops and restaurants, but with historic buildings at every turn, it’s also the perfect destination for those with the urge to dig deeper into the past.
Vauban ramparts, Montreuil
7. DONJON DE BOURS
Guided tours of around half an hour reveal the human stories behind this atmospheric sandstone tower house with six turrets, no longer surrounded by water but still in the heart of lush farmland.
Chateau de Bours
8. CALAIS
Historic statues abound here in public parks whilst a gallery in the well-stocked Musée des Beaux- Arts reveals the background to Rodin’s famous bourgeois group. And don’t miss a ride on the giant seafront dragon too!
Calais Town Hall and Rodin statue of The Burghers of Calais
9. BOULOGNE
The excellent Castle Museum contains fine arts, archaeology and Egyptian artefacts. Meanwhile, the dome of 19th-century basilica- which stands on the ruins of a medieval cathedral – has recently been restored.
© shutterstock
10. HESDIN
This charming small town, through which the Canche river flows, lies at the heart of the Seven Valleys and boasts a magnificent town hall, along with many reminders of its strategic importance in centuries past.
Hesdin Town Hall
11. AUDOMAROIS MARSHES
Discover how the marshland has been shaped over the centuries, then reconnect with nature on a cruise in a traditional bocôve, watching out for kingfishers and water fowl. There are plenty of walking trails and bike hire too.
Audomarois marshes, Saint Omer
12. CALAIS LE TOUQUET
Follow the self-guided walking trail to discover the distinctive Art Deco public buildings and private homes of this stylish holiday resort, which is a perennial favourite with Parisians. It’s great for watersports enthusiasts too.
From France Today Magazine
Tata Ice, Art Deco home in Le Touquet
Lead photo credit : Calais city hall @ shutterstock
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