Shopping in Calais, France.

- Conseil National des Centres Commerciaux. Find a French Centre Commercial (click the map of France). www.cncc.com

- Centres Commerciaux. Lists many Centre Commercial throughout France and Portugal. www.centres-commerciaux.com

- Site des Marques. Useful resource for French brand information. www.sitedesmarques.com

 - Societe, for official information on a business. www.societe.com

- Boussole. Useful directory for many shops and institutions in France. www.boussole-fr.com

- Rip off United Kingdom www.rip-off.co.uk - Worth visiting.

 - Derbygrie, another reason to shop in Europe. www.derbygripe.co.uk/realuk

 - France to your Door. French food and goods delivered to your United Kingdom address. www.francetoyourdoor.com

 - Food Facts, Food information, and Tips! Good list of E-numbers. www.food-info.net

YourKentTV Video about shopping in Calais. www.yourkenttv.co.uk

- In California? The Brit Shoppe now open. www.britshoppe.com

Pages with detailed information

- For Babies and small children in Calais - French Chains selling baby clothes and items

 - Chocolatiers in Calais. (Belgium - Adinkerke)

 - Cheese Shops

 - Car Buying

 - Tyres / Car Repair

 - DIY / Decorating

- Garden Centres and shops

 - Markets/Braderie

 - Mobile Phones

 - Opticians

 - Perfumes

 - Regional Products

 - Tobacco in Belgium

 - Tobacco in France

- Sports Goods and sportwear shops in France

- Toys

Main shopping centres in Calais

Sales in France

In France there are only two legal sale periods; winter sales (soldes d'hiver) in January/February and summer sales (Soldes d'été) in June/July. Each lasts for about five weeks and bargains of over 50% can be found in abundance. There is usually a nation wide start and then each department sets it own end date after a local government consultation with retail leaders.

More about sales in France

Factory shops are allowed to sell last years range, end of lines as well as seconds, at discounted prices all year round. The sales are of course exceptional value and very busy.

- Annual festival promoting Cannes (and shopping). See the Spring/Summer collections. Early January. Many special offers available. www.cannesshoppingfestival.com

Bedding

Sheets and bedding accessories are often very good value in France.

- Centre Commercial Parc La Française, ch. Bergnieulles. 62231. Coquelles (near the Auchan Hypermarket). www.bleunuit.fr

Other shops within driving distance in France.

- France-literie. 59 rue Gén. de Gaulle. 59139. Wattignies. (Directions: near Junction 2 off the A25 autoroute to Lille). www.france-literie.com

- IKEA, Centre Commercial (Close to Kinépolis). Rue du Grand But. 59160. Lomme. (Directions: near Junction 7 off the A25 autoroute to Lille). www.ikea.fr

- Literie Diffusion, Centre Commercial Auchan Cote d'Opale. Opposite Conforma. Tel: 0033 391 90 07 30. www.literie-diffusion.fr

- Literieland. Mostly in the south of France. www.literieland.fr

- Maison de la Literie, ZAC de l'An 2000, rue Joseph Marie Jacquard, Lens/Lievin. 62800. Tel: 0033 321 67 35 24. www.maisondelaliterie.com

- Nation-literie, mostly Paris. www.nation-literie.fr

- Boulangeries / Pâtisserie

Find anything from baguettes and croissants to home made bread, pastries and confectionery.

Boulangeries in France. www.boulangerie.net (in French)

Boulangerie Patisserie Blaise, 2, rue des Fontinettes. 62100. Calais.

Boulangerie Patisserie Blaise, 185, rue Anatole France. 62100. Calais.

André et Marie-Christine Bouin- 14, rue du Maréchal De Lattre De Tassigny, Calais. Tel: 0033 321 97 49 49.

Caumartin Boulangerie, 8 rue Jean Noël Dubout. Tel: 0033 321 34 73 14.

Boulangerie Degardin, 107, rue du Château d'Eau. 62100. Calais.

FINOT Boulangerie/Patisserie, 18, rue Archimède. Tel: 0033 321 36 25 65.

Fred Boulangerie, 120 Bd. Jaquard. Tel: 0033 321 34 89 89.

JOLY Boulangerie Patisserie, 158 Bd. de l'Egalité. 62100. Calais. www.Boulangerie-Patisserie-joly.com

Tel: 0033 321 96 45 59. Fax: 0033 321 34 59 60.

Guy Kaczmarek, 108, rue Louis-David, Calais. Tel: 0033 321 34 88 76.

Merlot Boulangerie, 10, Rue Jean-Noel Dubout. Tel: 0033 321 34 73 14.

Boulangerie Patisserie de la Plage, 10, Av. du Maréchal De Lattre de Tassigny. 62100. Calais.

Some local patisseries

Gaufres à la Flamande - Waffles usually topped with whipped cream or powdered sugar.

Tarte au Fromage - Light cheesecake made with cottage cheese and eggs.

Tarte au Gros Bord - Custard and sugar tart with a thick pastry border.

About bread in France.

There are many different types of French bread. The crisp and crusty baguette is the best known. French bread tends to go stale or hard quickly as it contains little or no fat. It is therefor best enjoyed fresh from the local Boulangerie each day.

If you want a longer lasting bread try breads made from rye (pain de siegle) or wholemeal (complet). Look out too for farmhouse breads (Pain de campagne).

Tradition - Breads that are labelled "Tradition" must not have been frozen at any point during manufacture and must contain only traditional ingredients such as wheat flour, yeast and salt.

Maison - A baker can only label his bread as "Maison" if it has been prepared and baked entirely on the premises.

Levain - Breads labelled with "Levain" must only be prepared from wheat or rye flours and the dough allowed to ferment or rise in the traditional bread making process before baking.

Other types of French Bread

Pain a l'ancienne - This is French bread made using traditional methods.

Pain au lait - A sweet bun.

Pain au chocolat - Bread with chocolate chips.

Pain aux noix - Made with nuts, usually walnuts.

Pain aux raisins - Made with raisins.

Pain bio - This is organic French bread and at least 95% of it's ingredients must be organically grown.

Pain brie - A heavy crusty bread from Normandy.

Pain de campagne - This is French farmhouse bread, it is usually quite chewy with a thick crust and traditionally decorated with grapes.

Pain complet - Wholemeal bread.

Pain de mie - Sandwich bread and although very similar to English sliced white bread it is in fact much sweeter.

Pain de siegle - A bread made from two thirds rye and one third wheat flour.

Pain viennois - Looks like a baguette but has a much softer crust and quite sweet.

- Coffee & Tea

The supermarkets have a good range of coffee and teas.

Speciality Shop - La Caffetoria, 18 rue de Commandant Mengin. 62100. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 36 61 03.

Shopping for fish in France

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Branded Clothes

Many of the famous brands are sold at cheaper prices in France. Try Cite Europe for a good range and variety of shops selling both men's and women's clothes and shoes. L'Usine Cote d'Opale is a large shopping centre with many shops selling branded clothes (formerly known as Marques Avenue Cotes d'Opale). The nearest factory shopping centres are in Roubaix, near Lille, where last years stock and end of line items are sold cheaply all year round.

In Calais itself we suggest you visit the main shopping streets (rue Jacquard & Bd. Lafayette);

5th Avenue, 68, Bd. La Fayette.

Calvin Klein discount shop, rue Royale.

Port Royal, 21 Bd. Pasteur. (Boss).

Nike Factory Store, Tel: 0033 321 35 52 27, Centre L'Usine Cote d'Opale, 62231. Coquelles, Calais. Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 7.00pm.

Gémo - Clothes and shoes. Tel: 0033 321 34 04 60. Centre Commercial Continent, Av. Georges Guynemer. 62100.

- Chemists

Chemists (pharmacies)

A pharmacien is registered with the Ordre National des Pharmaciens and possesses a State diploma in pharmacy. Not only do they do prescriptions, a pharmacien is also a good person to see about minor ailments.

There is always one pharmacy in a town or region on duty for emergency purposes. The address of the "pharmacie de garde" (on duty), is published in the local press and also put on the doors of the other pharmacies.

Pharmacie BOUSSEMART, 15 rue JEAN QUEHEN. Tel: 0033 321 96 11 50.

Pharmacie FOLLET, 29 Rue ROYALE. Tel: 0033 321 34 55 62.

Pharmacie GALLER, 22 Rue de LONDRES. Tel: 0033 321 34 61 50.

Pharmacie GAMBETTA, 70 Bd. GAMBETTA. Tel: 0033 321 34 48 66.

Pharmacie GYSELINCK, 83 Bd. GAMBETTA. Tel: 0033 321 34 46 68.

Pharmacie HIEULLE, 7 Av. GUYNEMER. Tel: 0033 321 96 33 24.

Pharmacie JACQUARD, 36 Bd. JACQUARD. Tel: 0033 321 34 33 64.

Pharmacie MALBRANQUE, 208 Bd. LAFAYETTE. Tel: 0033 321 34 64 46.

Pharmacie MONTIGNY, 155 Av. St. EXUPERY. Tel: 0033 321 97 18 30.

Pharmacie OUTERS, 25 Bd. JACQUART. Tel: 0033 321 34 39 36.

Pharmacie PETIT, 21 Place de CONDE. Tel: 0033 321 34 70 43.

Pharmacie REPUBLIQUE, 34 Rue CHAROST. Tel: 0033 321 34 99 99.

Pharmacie STANCKIEWICZ, 131 Av. BLERIOT. Tel: 0033 321 96 23 07.

Pharmacie THOMAS, 32 rue DES FONTINETTES. Tel: 0033 321 36 33 77.

Pharmacie VALTON, 48 Rue FOUR A CHAUX. Tel: 0033 321 36 50 40.

Pharmacie de Coquelles (E. Guilbert), 1189, Av. Charles de Gaulle. 62231. Coquelles. Tel: 0033 321 82 23 10. Open: 9.00am - 12.00noon, 2.00 - 7.00pm.

Furniture Chains

- IKEA, Nearest store is at the Centre commercial de Lomme. Tel: 0033 320 93 36 77. www.ikea.fr

GRAND HABITAT - A French store with a similar range to IKEA, more emphasis on design and more expensive. 165 avenue de la Marne, Marcq en Baroeul. Tel: 0033 320 89 28 02.

Lace

Calais has many lace shops - worth a visit is;

Royale Dentelle - 37, Bd. Jacquard, 62100. Tel: 0033 321 34 91 36. Fax: 0033 321 85 50 97. Also at 62, rue Royale. Tel: 0033 321 97 57 64. www.royal-dentelle.com

- also at 106 Bd. Jacquard. 62100. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 96 68 40. Fax: 0033 321 85 50 97.

Dentelles Sabou, 14 rue de Vic. 62100. Tel: 0033 321 34 44 06. Fax: 0033 321 34 76 69.

You may wish to visit the museum as well.

Luggage - can be cheaper in France

Once again, go for the French Brands and check United Kingdom prices before you go.

Au Sphinx, 31, rue Royale. Tel: 0033 321 -.

- Motorcycles & Bicycles

Cycles Bernard, 122, Bd. Gambetta, 62100. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 34 78 07.

Brame Sports Socader (Vespa), 178, Bd. Lafayette, 62100. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 34 5 48. Fax: 0033 321 34 54 71.

Fun Cycle, 34, Bd. gambetta. 62100. Calais.

Go Sport. Tel: 0033 321 36 23 43. Fax: 0033 321 82 36 37. BOITE 339, Cite Europe. 62901. Coquelles Cedex. Open: Monday to Thursday 10.00am to 8.00pm, Friday 10.00am to 9.00pm, Saturday 9.00am to 8.00pm. www.go-sport.com

Mondial Motos, 5 rue du Château d'Eau. 62100. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 35 18 42. Fax: 0033 321 35 08 81.

Cycles Dufour, 223, rue Nationale. 62200. Boulogne sur Mer. Tel: 0033 321 31 73 63.

Boulogne Motos (clothes), 95, Bd. Mariette. 62200. Boulogne sur Mer. Tel: 0033 321 31 61 46.

Clothing / accessories

PARADIS DE L'ACCESSOIRE MOTO, 1 bis Boulevard Curie. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 36 73 34. Fax: 0033 321 36 73 34.

Passionate about motorcycles? Then visit Paradis for all motorcycle accessories and equipment

* Clothing: T-shirts, jumpers, jackets, gloves.

* Protective equipment: helmets, glasses, knee-sliders,

* decorative accessories: decorative kit, stickers,

* Wide choice of tyres for Cross, Enduro, Quad activities.

The store is open Monday: 2.00 - 7.30pm, Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30 to 7.30pm, Saturday: 9.30am to noon and 2.00 to 7.00pm.

TIP; Bicycles - Don't buy ones with Shimano Nexus hub gears as you cannot get them repaired in United Kingdom.

Pets

 - Animalis. A French chain with 24 stores in France (nearest to Calais is near Rouen). www.animalis.fr

Aquabase - Chain for aquatic goods. www.aquabase.org

Animal Store Calais, Centre Commercial Auchan. 62100. Calais. France. Tel: 0033 321 36 48 01.

Bricomarché - Store in Calais. Has a range of pet products. www.bricomarche.com

Cost of pet products in France. www.zubialcompany.com

Find a vet in France - Travelling with pets

Webanimo. Under the pop up menu "Choisissez une Activité" go to "Vétérinaires", and choose your department. www.webanimo.com

Just type in the town name. www.ani-malin.com

Photography / Cameras

 - Shop Photo, 108, bd La Fayette. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 36 59 25. Fax: 0033 321 36 79 69.

- Electro Depot. There is a shop near Cite Europe in Calais. www.electrodepot.fr

Useful link. pic.uk.net/realphotos, Digital cameras and how to use them.

Wind Surfing

OPALE CERF - Volante et Nautisme, 155 Bd. Curie. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 85 83 43. Fax: 0033 321 85 83 43. www.opalecerf-volant.fr

Wood Burning Stoves

Godin Stove Shop, 227 Bd. La fayette. Tel: 0033 321 96 44 02. Fireplaces and accessories (sales, installation, maintenance).

Kitchens - Cuisines References, 73, rue Aristide Briand. Tel/Fax: 0033 321 97 63 01.

Other shopping information

 - Kiabi. Good value clothes. www.kiabi.com

 - La Halle Chaussures. Shoes. www.lahalleauxchaussures.com

 - La Halle. Clothes. Near Centre Auchan in Calais. www.lahalle.com

- Mephisto Shoes. A popular French brand with a loyal following. www.mephisto.com

- Phildar (Wool). 13 boulevard Lafayette, 62100 Calais. Tel: 0033 321 82 90 94. www.phildar.fr

- Printemps Department store. www.printemps.com

- Tati (Nearest shop; 68, Bd Faidherbe. 62200 Boulogne sur Mer). www.tati.fr

- Vet'Affaires, clothing. www.vetaffaires.fr

Factory Shops - rest of France

A L'Usine, Roubaix, near Lille has chain store factory outlets.

McArthurGlen factory Shopping Centre, Roubaix, (near Lille). Tel: 0033 328 33 36 00. Over 50 shops with discounted goods from last season (designer factory shops). Directions; from Calais - A26 to Dunkirk, A25 to Lille, exit 7 towards Roubaix, then Centre Ville or McArthurGlen signs. www.mcarthurglen.fr

Le Bourget (underwear), 2 rue F. Harteloup. 02230. Fresnoy-le-Grand. Tel: 0033 323 09 33 00.

General - click on title or logo for web site

 - Galleries lafayette. www.galerieslafayette.com

- Printemps. www.printemps.com

Shops you find at most French Commercial Centres and what they sell

We now have a separate page listing the main shopping chains in France.