Walking and Rambling in Calais, France

- Calais Tourist Office English web site. www.calais-cotedopale.com

- The Other Side, lots of useful information. www.theotherside.co.uk

- France on your own newsletter. www.franceonyourown.com

- Slow Travel is a community of people who like to travel and experience new places! www.slowtrav.com. Also www.slowtrips.com (photos) & www.slowtalk.com (message board).

Beach Walks

View from Cap Blanc Nez - towards Boulogne - this is a particularly enjoyable walk - you can usually see England.

Part of a protected area of natural beauty.

A splendid limestone headland which marks the point where the English Channel joins the North Sea.

The Dover Patrol Monument (160 m above sea level) is situated here.

A good walk along the beach is often a nice way to end a successful day - or to build up an appetite before lunch.

Many old bunkers from the Second World War can be seen along the coast walking towards Cap Blanc Nez.

Cliff top security

On the Beach - signs (swimming) - in order to ensure everyone can use the beach safely there are rules in place which everyone should follow.

Blue flags suggest the water is good and clean.

Green flags mean it is safe to swim and supervised.

Orange flags indicate an area where swimming is authorised but with precaution.

Red flags indicates a dangerous area where swimming forbidden.

Yellow flags indicate that the water is polluted.

Yellow buoys mark out channels; Spherical for the swimming areas, Cylindrical for cross channels (where boats come through).

The large flat and often windy beaches of North France are ideal for sailing and sand yatching.

Surfing - includes storm spankers, catamarans, wind surf boards and kite surfing.

Beach Craft - pedal boats, surf boards, inflatable boats or other boats.

General Rules;

As with powered craft you must reduce your speed to 5 knots when inside the 300m beach zone.

Never go further than 2 nautical miles from the beach with a storm spanker, 1 mile on a wind surf board, and 300m on a beach craft.

Do not overestimate your physical capabilities or those of your equipment.

Sail as part of a group where possible.

Beware of winds pushing you away from the coast.

Use a wet suit and a harness.

Do not try and force your right of way - take care not to get in the way of shipping.

If you want to learn to sail use either a Fédération Francaise de Voile (Yachting Club), or a club affiliated to the École Francaise de Voile, which offers organised courses with qualified teachers.

Fishing

There is plenty of excellent fishing along the North French coast. You cannot sell what you have caught and must comply with catch size regulations. Line fishing is free along the entire coastline (unless the area is subject to restrictions such as in a port).