Calais (France)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Western Europe - Azores - Canary Islands
Local Time
2020-06-01 06:44
57°F 13.7°C
Gentle breeze5.5 m/s
71 °F / 22 °C 49 °F / 10 °C
Calais is a major ferry port city located in northern France. Calais metropolitan area has population of around 127,000. This port city overlooks the English Channel's narrowest point - the Strait of Dover, which is just 34 km (21 mi) wide here. This makes Calais France's closest to England town.
Calais port serves a huge number of ferries between the UK (leaving mainly from Dover) and France. English Channel's crossing durations range between 35 min (to/from Folkestone) and 1,5 hours (to/from Dover). The inaugurated in May 1994 Channel Tunnel (aka Chunnel, length 50 km / 31,4 mi) linked by rail the nearby Coquelles to Folkestone.
Since the Middle Ages, due to its strategic location, Calais has been a major port and an important post serving the trade with England. In 1347, it was annexed by Edward III of England and grew into a centre for wool production. Calais was a territorial possession of England until 1558, when it was re-captured by France.
The town used to be called "the brightest jewel in the English crown" due to its great importance as a gateway for the tin, wool, lead and lace trades (or "staples"). In 1805, it was a staging area for the troops of Napoleon for several months during his invasion of the United Kingdom. The town was razed to the ground in the early months of WW2. In May 1940, it became a strategic bombing target for the invading Nazi Germany forces who took it on May 21, 1940 (during the Siege of Calais). The Germans built massive bunkers along the coast, in preparation for launching missiles on England.
Calais-Nord (the old part of the town) is located on an artificial island surrounded by harbours and canals. The modern part (St-Pierre) lies to the south and southeast. In the centre of Calais-Nord is the Place d'Armes, in which stands the Tour du Guet (watch-tower). The structure was created in the 13th century and served as a lighthouse until 1848. To the southeast of Place d'Armes is the church of Notre-Dame, built during the English occupation.
Calais cruise terminal
Boulogne Calais Port is the operator of both ports - Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer. The distance between them is 31 km (19 mi).
Calais Port ferry terminal
Port of Calais is connected to the Europe's motorway network directly via the following routes:
- Route A26-E15 serves central France, also providing access to Paris City.
- Route A16-E40 accesses Northern Europe's Benelux motorway system (Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg).
- Route A16-E402 connects the port to Boulogne and the Normandy region.
- The terminal's ticket office is permanently staffed and operational 24 hours a day.
- The main ferry lines that operate to and from Calais are P&O Ferries UK, and DFDS Seaways.
- At approx 4 ml (6,5 km) from Calais is Coquelles, where is located the Eurotunnel terminal. Coquelles also offers a direct train link Calais - Paris.
- Calais Terminal's location (GPS coordinates) are: latitude (50:57:58N or 50.96622) and longitude (1:51:43E or 1.86201).
- Terminal's address is "Car Ferry Terminal, 62100 Calais, France".
Port's parking service is free - a public car park is located right in front of the Terminal building. However, the parking lot is unsecured and vehicles owners park there at their own risk.
Port Calais cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Calais, France. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
| Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 October, 2021 Wednesday |  MS Trollfjord |
- Cruise Industry
Ferry cargo shipping receives UK government GBP 35 million Coronavirus subsidy
Cargo shipping services between the UK and mainland Europe received COVID-19/Coronavirus subsidy on Monday, May 18, with a UK government GBP 35...
May 19, 2020 - Accidents
Pride of Canterbury Rescues Migrant Trying to Swim to the UK
A migrant who tried to swim to the United Kingdom wearing a wetsuit has been rescued when a cross-Channel ferry ship made a U-turn to save him, the...
November 12, 2019 - Accidents
Ferry Passengers Evacuated at Port of Dover Due to 'Suspicious Package'
Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from a vessel of P&O Ferries at Port Dover England Saturday morning, September 28, after a suspicious...
September 29, 2019 - Cruise Industry
Strong Winds Disrupt Channel Ferry Crossings
Passengers are currently stuck on cross-Channel ferries as Port Dover operates a "one ship in, one ship out" policy because of high winds. P&...
August 10, 2019 - Accidents
More Than 100 Migrants Storm the Port of Calais
Dozens of migrants who were hoping to reach Britain have scrambled aboard a cross-Channel cruiseferry in northern France, sparking a 12-hour manhunt...
March 3, 2019 - Cruise Industry
Channel Ferry Company Registers Ships Under Cyprus Flag Due to Brexit Uncertainty
A major ferry company operating Channel crossings between UK and France is now re-registering / reflagging its vessels under flag-state Cyprus due to...
January 26, 2019 - Cruise Industry
UK to Spend US$130 Million on Ferries
The British government intends to spend over GBP 100 million (USD 130 million) chartering extra sea ferries in order to ease cross-Channel congestion...
December 29, 2018 - Accidents
VIDEO: P&O Ferry Runs Aground in Calais
A ferry carrying over 300 people ran aground at Port Calais in high winds this afternoon, December 10. The P&O ship got into difficulty...
December 10, 2017 - show more news