Sangatte, commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
Sangatte is a small seaside town near Calais on the French Channel coast, featuring wide sandy beaches and gentle waves suitable for swimming and water sports like windsurfing. The area includes four beaches, with Blériot-Plage distinguished by small wooden houses along the shore, while marked trails wind through dunes and cliffs offering views of the nearby capes Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez.
In 1851, the first underwater telegraph cable was laid across the Channel near Sangatte, establishing rapid communication between England and France for the first time. In 1909, Louis Blériot launched his famous flight across the Channel from this town, a milestone in aviation history commemorated by a statue on the beach.
The town's name comes from a Flemish word meaning a hole or space in sand, reflecting its sandy shoreline and changing landscape. Local identity is tied to aviation and maritime travel, with residents maintaining pride in the area's history of exploration and international connection.
The town is easily reached by train or car from nearby Calais, with wide beaches that invite walking, playing, or sitting by the water. The terrain is mostly flat and accessible, with marked trails for exploring along the coast and through the dunes.
A restored British Spitfire fighter plane from World War II, which made a damaged emergency landing on the beach and was later salvaged, can be viewed here. This aircraft tells a story of wartime survival and rescue connected to the area's aviation heritage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
