Calais, Port city in Northern France
Calais is a port city on the English Channel in northern France, extending over several kilometers of sandy coastline. The urban area divides into two main sections, separated by the harbor and canal.
The city stood under English rule for over 200 years before returning to France in the 16th century. A prolonged attack forced residents to make a difficult choice, later depicted in a famous monument.
People come to the Place d'Armes every day to buy bread or drink coffee while the old bell tower chimes the hours. Families gather around the port on weekends to buy fresh fish or simply watch the ferries come and go.
The harbor connects France to England with regular ferries and the undersea tunnel. Many travelers use the city as a transit point, but a short stop offers time to explore the center or walk along the waterfront.
A small museum near the old town shows how lace-making machines were secretly brought from England in the 19th century. Those tools launched a textile industry that provided jobs and prosperity for decades.
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