Train Lille → Calais

A little taste of flanders in France Why would a city in France also have a Flemish name? Lille (or Rijsel as it's known in Flemish) rests on the Deule river near the border where France meets Belgium. It is the largest of France's cities in the north. Lille is proud of its Flemish history and influence, which was once considered the quintessential example of fine taste and affluence. To live up to its heritage, Lille boasts notable architecture and style, providing visitors with an abundance of restaurants, hotels, museums and charming ambiance in its restored Vieux Lille. In 2004, Lille proudly bore the title of the European Capital of Culture, and provided residents and visitors alike with outstanding music and art events. The center of all activity is known as the Grande Place at the southern edge of Vieux Lille. Here, the streets are jammed with shoppers and outdoor cafes (when the weather is agreeable – Lille rarely gets too hot in the summer, and often gets below freezing in the winter). Learn more about Lille

On the coast, cutting it close to Britain Great Britain and the rest of Continental Europe are closer than the United States and Russia (really, we're 59 miles.) From the white cliffs of Dover to Calais it is just 21 miles, and a popular route for those who attempt to swim the channel. This was also the last part of France to be in English hands during medieval times. It wasn't until 1547 that France recaptured the town after centuries of English rule. And why wouldn't they want it back? It's a beachside beauty. In the words of Shakespeare in Henry V, let us now “march on to Calais without impeachment.” There are two main ways to get to or from Calais. From Ville station in the city center there are frequent shuttle buses to either the Channel port or to Calais Frethun Eurostar terminal. SNCF France has frequent trains operating to Lille or Boulogne, and occasional schedules directly into Paris. The new Eurostar station at Calais Frethun outside the inner city serves the “chunnel” connections into Britain. Learn more about Calais