Open left menu nord-pas-de-calais. Strait of Pas de Calais. Bus tour "Great Britain and famous cities of Europe"

His, so to speak, progenitor. The English Channel for the British is the English Channel, and most often just the Channel, but in the linguistic tradition of the majority European countries still established themselves French options names: English Channel and Pas de Calais. It is characteristic that in ancient times, in the 1st century. BC, the Romans, who were the first to bring civilization to the shores on both sides of the strait, called it British (if they were on the island of Great Britain) or Gallic (if they were on the lands of the Gauls).
Geological history The strait is relatively young. It was formed as a result of the flooding of a vast territory, which included deltas and. The hypothesis about what caused the subsidence of the land and the formation of the strait acquired a modern interpretation quite recently, in the first decade of our century - thanks to the latest acoustic instruments with high resolution, hydrographic data obtained from ships equipped with a GPS system. And it was found that the bottom topography of the Pas de Calais has the following characteristics, which appear on the earth's surface after extensive floods associated with the melting of glaciers. About 425 thousand years ago, a chalk ridge ran between what is now Dover and Calais, serving as a kind of dam between the sea and the glacier massif. Gradually, northeast of Dover, melting ice floes formed a lake. One day it overflowed, and a powerful stream, passing over the ridges of chalk rocks, swept away the ridge, and then its fragments, chalk - the most loose and crumbly structure of limestone. After 200 thousand years, during one of the relatively short-term glaciations, this natural disaster repeated, spreading to the southwest, and the flood was even stronger than the first. But the landmass under the code name Doggerland, according to a theory put forward by British scientists in the 1990s, existed 8 thousand years ago. This theory is hypothetical, but extremely logical and has recently been supported by new research. So, according to it, this land was a tundra inhabited by people. The basis for such assumptions and the very name Doggerland was given by the discovery of a thorough study of the Dogger Bank sandbank, in the bottom sediments of which prehistoric hunting tools were found. Doggerland also connected the ancient deltas of the Thames and the Rhine. As a result of the melting of glaciers, Doggerland gradually went under water. The final separation of the British Islands from the rest of Europe, and this is no longer a hypothesis, occurred approximately 6.5-6.2 thousand years ago. The resulting strait had boundaries that approximately coincided with the current ones. Except that the distance from the mainland to the islands was even shorter.
It is impossible to say exactly when people began to swim, or, as sailors say, “walk,” through the Pas-de-Calais Strait. Probably at the same time when they first boarded boats or rafts. It is difficult to imagine what could have stopped them from traveling when on a clear day they could see white cliffs on the horizon from what is now the city of Calais. At the end of the prehistoric period, the territory of the British Isles was inhabited mainly by Celtic tribes. The soldiers of Julius Caesar, who landed in 43 g, the place where the fortress of Dover was later founded, found near it earthen structures carved into the rocks, and circles of stones laid out by the Belgae druids, and the Whites were one of the Gallic tribes. It is characteristic that such megalithic buildings were located precisely in this part of Britain, on the coast. This means that communication across the strait between the Briton Celts and the Gaul Celts existed at least from the 1st millennium BC. e. The French city of Calais grew from fishing village, and she, in turn, is on the site of Stone Age settlements. And today, fishing is one of the main occupations of residents of villages on both sides of the strait. The Pas de Calais is home to tarbet (halibut), flounder, stingray, mackerel (mackerel), tarsier, whiting and herring, octopus and lobster. Oysters are collected on the shallows, although the best varieties (in a gastronomic sense) are found in other regions of the English Channel, mainly in Normandy. The abundance of fauna is the best indicator ecological situation in the sea. And judging by the fact that with the extremely intense shipping traffic in the strait, fishermen are also not left without work, joint environmental control by England and France, with the support of the European Union, is carried out very effectively.
It is unlikely that this would have been the case until the second half of the 20th century. Some even thought it was theoretically possible: since ancient times, the strait had been a place of conflict between the military-strategic interests of the Briton and Gaul tribes. From 1347 to 1558 Cape belonged to England. In the same XVI century. England and France fought for possession of the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer, now the largest fishing port in all of France, specializing in herring fishing in the North Sea. In 1805, Napoleon concentrated his strike force in Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais. Great Army for the invasion of England, and on the opposite bank, in Dover, everything was ready to repel aggression, but these plans were not destined to come true. During the Second World War in May 1940, the British Expeditionary Force, along with the French military and other allies, retreated from Dunkirk when the gates were already German tanks. 338 thousand soldiers were evacuated during rescue operation"Dynamo". In 1944, the Germans made the entire French shore of the strait one continuous fortification (the Atlantic Wall), but, as you know, this did not help them, and the battle won in 1944 as a result of Operation Overlord became one of the powerful factors that brought the end of Nazi Germany closer. The Germans, and above all Field Marshal Rommel, commander of Group B in Northern France, had no doubt that the Allied landing would certainly take place on the shores of Pas-de-Calais, but the enemy landed off the coast of Normandy. A large German naval base was located in the city of Calais, and in the same 1944 it was subjected to heavy bombing by Allied aircraft.
The idea of ​​​​building a tunnel under the English Channel, namely under the bottom of the Pas de Calais, for carriage rides arose at the beginning of the 19th century. However, then it seemed too fantastic and expensive. It cannot be said that this idea sank into oblivion: from time to time other, but in principle similar projects appeared, and construction even began - in 1876 and 1922. But both times, some force majeure circumstances prevented it from continuing: both financial and political. By the middle of the 20th century. The strait's ferry fleet could no longer cope with the transportation of passengers and cargo, and the idea of ​​​​building a tunnel again became relevant. Since 1957, various projects were considered, and history repeated itself: construction began, but for some reason was frozen. In 1986, the British and French governments signed an agreement to build a tunnel between Calais and Folkestone. In 1987, the European Investment Bank and other banks provided the first tranche of 2 billion pounds sterling for the project, while the original construction cost estimate included 7.62 billion euros. May 6, 1994 railway connection in a tunnel called the Eurotunnel was opened. It cost 15 billion, which was twice the original estimate. Over the years, the tunnel has survived several fires and other troubles, and yet it operates almost uninterruptedly, but has not yet fully justified financial expenses on it, however, 2011 ended with a profit. Four types of trains are used: high-speed passenger trains, running between London and Paris (travel time 2 hours 15 minutes), so-called shuttle trains, carrying buses, cars and vans between St. Gatte and Folkestone (passengers remain inside the cars); open-car freight trains carrying trucks (drivers travel in a separate carriage) and freight trains carrying containers and other bulky goods.
There are three tunnels in total - two main and one service, providing the technical capabilities and safety of this entire underwater-underground communication - certainly one of the most outstanding engineering structures of our time in Europe.

general information

Part of the English Channel connecting the North Sea with Atlantic Ocean , functionally (for navigation) - the entrance to the English Channel from the North Sea. In English-speaking countries it is called the Strait of Dover.
Affiliation: coastal waters - France, England, the main fairway is protected by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of ​​1922.
Adjacent regions: departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region (France), Kent (UK).
The most important ports: in France - Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer and Dunkirk, in Great Britain - Dover, Folkestone.
Largest coastal cities: France - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais; UK - Folkestone, Dover, Ramsgate.
International airports closest to the strait: France - Calais and Dunkirk in Calais, Lille in Lille, De Gaulle/Roissy and Orly in Paris; England - Kent at Menston, Heathrow and Gatwick in London.

Numbers

Length: 37 km.
Maximum width: 48 km.
Minimum width: 32 km.
Maximum depth: 64 m.
Minimum depth: 21 m.

Economy

Navigation is year-round.
Maritime shipping.
Ferry passenger service between Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Dunkirk and Dover, Folkestone, Ramsgate, and the Belgian port of Ostend.
Railway connection(“Eurotunnel” passing under the bottom of the Pas de Calais).
Fishing.
Service sector: logistics, business and financial services: on both banks of the Pas de Calais there are many large and small agency, forwarding and stevedoring companies providing transshipment, storage, customs clearance and timely delivery of goods to the end consumer in Europe.
Tourism (there are many small seaside resorts and marinas on both the French and English coasts).

Climate and weather

Temperate maritime.
Average January temperature:-4°C.
Average temperature in July:-17°C.
Average annual precipitation: 670 mm.
In autumn and winter there are frequent storms and fogs.

Attractions

■ City of Calais: Watchtower (XIII century) on Armory Square, Cathedral Notre-Dame de Calais (Gothic, 13th century). tower - XIV-XV centuries, Citadel (XVI century); The City Hall building (1911-1926) is an exact copy of a building in the Flemish Renaissance style that was demolished in 1818. Tower-Beffroy (veche tower) of the City Hall - object World Heritage UNESCO, among others, from France and Belgium; sculpture by O. Rodin “Citizens of Calais” (1895), International Center lace and fashion; Museum-manufactory of lace.
■ City of Boulogne-sur-Mer: beffroy tower (11th century), part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site; Castle of the Counts of Boulogne (XII-XIII centuries), fortress walls of the Upper Town (XIII century). Notre-Dame de Boulogne Cathedral (19th century), built on the site of a destroyed Gothic cathedral, the crypt contains authentic elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture; Hotel Desandruins (neoclassicism, 18th century); National Center for Marine Research (marine aquarium, marine fauna exhibition and exhibition about modern methods marine resource management).
■ G City of Dunkirk: beffroy tower (XIII century), Saint-Eloi church (Gothic, XV century), City Hall (early XX century), Museum of Fine Arts. Museum of Modern Art with a park of sculptures and the child-oriented Portoir Museum (city history);
■ City of Dover: white chalk cliffs. Dover Lighthouse and Dover Castle (Fortress), founded around 50 BC. e. (buildings from the 11th to 12th centuries have been preserved in the castle, but the main part of it today is a reconstruction of the 20th century); Connaught Park, Cowgate Nature Reserve, Dover Museum, Embankment.
■ City of Ramsgate: Victorian architecture. Maritime Museum. King's Landing.
■ Town of Folkestone: near the city - Railway Museum (equipment of the 1930s).

Curious facts

■ Dover Castle, due to its strategic location since ancient times called the “key to England”, is one of the largest castles in England, built on the site of Roman fortifications, rises 114 m above the sea. It keeps many legends, including related with kings and queens who visited and lived here for a long time. The castle is also famous for its tunnels, dug into the chalk rocks at a depth of 15 m during the Napoleonic wars. Their total length is about 6.3 km. The tunnels became barracks, housing up to 2,000 soldiers in 1803. In addition, a hospital was equipped. The tunnels were abandoned in 1826 and served as a bomb shelter, command post and again as a hospital during World War II.
■ In 1580, an earthquake occurred off the coast of Dover, accompanied by the destruction of the city walls and a tsunami. This earthquake is reported by all the chronicles of England, France and Flanders in the 16th century. It is also mentioned in Shakespeare’s tragedy “Romeo and Juliet” through the lips of the nurse Juliet. Most likely, the author himself experienced it. During the construction of the Eurotunnel, special studies were carried out and it was found that the earthquake of 1580 had a force of up to 5.9 points.
■ The wedding dress of Kate Middleton, who married England's Prince William in 2011, was made from machine-made lace created in Calais, a recognized center for the production of this exquisite material. Among the floral patterns on the dress were woven symbols of Great Britain - a rose, thistle, daffodil and clover.
■ Auguste Rodin’s sculptural composition of six figures, installed in front of the City Hall in Calais (1895), is associated with one real event 1347, described in the chronicles Hundred Years' War. Having besieged the city, whose inhabitants suffered hunger and other cruel hardships, the English king Edward lit mockingly declared that he would end the siege if six respected citizens of Calais came to bow to him with the keys to the city gates. Moreover, they should be dressed in canvas shirts, and around their necks they must have ropes. Six people from among the most noble and wealthy townspeople volunteered to fulfill this condition. Edward III still did not dare to kill these worthy people, as he initially intended. In France, six citizens of Calais and Rodin's masterpiece are a symbol of patriotism. Replicas of this sculptor’s creation are installed in Basel, London, near the Houses of Parliament, Washington and Los Angeles.
■ Field Marshal Rommel learned about the Allied landing only three hours after it began; the day before, he left for Berlin on personal business. The “desert fox”, as Rommel was nicknamed for his cunning operations in North Africa, was let down, his vaunted intuition degenerated into blind self-confidence, his intelligence worked extremely poorly.

The bottom of the English Channel gradually decreases from east to west from both banks to its middle. In the middle of the Pas-de-Calais Strait, which is the eastern entrance to the English Channel, the minimum depth is 30 m. No dangers have been detected along almost the entire length of the English Channel. Just in the middle of the western part of the Pas de Calais Strait there are several long shallow banks. The soil on the banks is coarse sand and broken shells. These banks divide the narrow Pas de Calais Strait into two passages, making it difficult to navigate. The bottom of the northern coast of the English Channel is quite flat, while the southern coast is uneven. The soil in the strait is sand, gravel, stone, shell, chalk and silt. Pilotage is mandatory for all transport vessels. Hydrometeorological conditions for navigation of ships in the English Channel area are unfavorable from September to March and more favorable from May to September.

The temperature regime is quite uniform. During the coldest months of the year average temperature air 6-8 degrees. In the open part of the English Channel, winds from the southwest and west dominate throughout the year. The average wind speed in the open part of the strait throughout the year is 6-8 m/s; calms are rarely observed. The duration of fogs is observed from 4 to 7 days, sometimes more.

Visibility of more than 5 miles prevails throughout the year. Average monthly cloudiness is 6-7 points. The average annual precipitation in the region is 645-1100 mm. Most precipitation falls from October to January.

The current regime in the English Channel is formed under the influence of constant and tidal currents, as well as prevailing winds. During the year, waves with a height of less than 1.25 m predominate. Ice does not form off the coast of the English Channel. In the Pas-de-Calais Strait, slow icing of ships is possible in very harsh winters. From Cape Antifer to the Gulf of Saint-Malo, the southern coast of the English Channel extends 82 miles to the west. Between capes Antifer and Parfleur, the vast Bay of the Seine juts into the coast. The coast of the Bay of the Seine is predominantly hilly and covered with forest in those places where the hills come close to the coastline, the coast is relatively high and rocky, and where they are distant from it, the coast is low and sandy. The depths in the Bay of Seine are about 50 meters. Only at the approach to the mouth of the Seine River is there a sandbank.

Ports of call

Rouen (France)

Vessels approaching the port must contact the pilot boat. Pilotage is mandatory between the mouths of the Seine and Rouen rivers for vessels of 55 m or more in length.

Anchoring is carried out in the outer roadstead.

The help of tugboats can only be resorted to in the port of Rouen itself. Tugs can only be delivered to the vessel if requested in advance.

The port has 3 berths adapted for handling liquid vessels. Vessels with a draft of up to 101 m can be handled here. Tankers can also be handled in commercial ports, where there are also specialized berths for vessels with a draft of 11 m, 9 m.

Fresh water supplied by pipeline or, if necessary, by barge.

All types of fuel can also be obtained at the port either at the berth via pipelines or by barge.

Jeddah ( Saudi Arabia)

General information: located in the northern part of Jeddah Bay, jutting into the eastern shore of the Red Sea between Cape Ras al-Aswad and Cape Ras Qahaz and is one of the largest ports of the Red Sea.

Bottom topography: there are many reefs, banks and rocks on the approaches to the port. In the bay, the reefs are located in three almost parallel chains between the capes of Ras Kahaz and Ras al-Aswad.

Port facilities: the port has 12 main berths with a total length of 2360 m: the depth along the berths is 11 m. There are several piers and three regular berths for tankers.

MILFORD HAVEN, MLFORD HAVEN

Latitude 51°42" north; longitude 5°0° west.

Population - 12,000.

Import: fish, oil, forest materials, fertilizers, feed, scrap metal, general cargo.

Port characteristics. The applied hour of the port is 06.04, and in the entrance area it is 05.56. The port is located in a narrow bay. From St. An's Head to Pembrokes Fern the bay is 12 miles long and 0.75 to 1.75 miles wide. However, the fairway is much narrower due to the shallows and banks. The depths in the navigable part of the bay reach 9.1 - 27.4 m. The bay has an easily accessible entrance for ships and is one of the best natural harbors in the country. A large number of shallow bays branch off from the bay. A powerful lighthouse is installed on the western side of the entrance to Cape Seit Anse Head. WITH north side In the harbor 4 miles west of Milford on Great Castle Head, 2 permanent directional lights are installed to indicate the direction of ships entering the bay. Further, other directional lights are installed leading all the way to the port of Milford. The entrance lock to the dock basin is 167.6 m long, 21.3 m wide and 10.4 m deep at the threshold in full spring water. The water area of ​​the docking pool is about 9.2 hectares.

The lock gates open approximately 2 hours before high water. The docking pool is available for larger vessels. There are cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 20 g, as well as 2 installations for loading coal with a capacity of 200 hours each. Capacious warehouses have been built on the dock area. There are 2 large fish markets, refrigerators, 2 ice factories and 8 fish factories. The port is an important processing point for fishing industry products; Connected with railway network countries. Outside the dock basin, a pier has been built for mooring fishing and other vessels.

Repair. From the dock basin there is an entrance to a dry dock 182.9 m long, accessible for vessels with a width of 19.5 m. In addition, there is a ship-lifting slipway for vessels up to 600 tons. Near the dock there is a modern ship repair yard.

3 miles from Milford is Pembroke Dock, owned by a private firm. The company carries out shipbuilding and ship repair work and docks merchant ships.

The dry dock has a maximum length of 139 m; The maximum width of a vessel accepted into the dock is 16.5 m. The dock is equipped with a crane with a lifting capacity of 20 tons. Vessels with a draft of 9.1 m and a length of up to 160 m can be parked at the Carr berth.

Ravenna

A city and port in Northern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, the administrative center of the province of Ravenna. 134 thousand inhabitants (1994). Oil refining, chemical, engineering industry, manufacturing musical instruments. National Museum of Ravenna, Pinacoteca of the Academy of Fine Arts, Archdiocesan Museum. The mausoleum of Galla Placidia (5th century), decorated with mosaics, Christian basilicas (Sant'Apollinare Nuovo), the 8-sided church of San Vitale, the mausoleum of Theodoric - all the 6th century, the remains of the so-called Palace of Theodoric (VI-VIII centuries), have been preserved. Dante's tomb (15th century monument, P. Lombardo).

Pas de Calais (French Pas de Calais, in English-speaking countries called the Strait of Dover, English Strait of Dover) - the strait between Great Britain and mainland Europe, serves as the entrance to the strait register ] from the North Sea. Length - 37 kilometers, width - from 29 to 32 kilometers, depth - from 21 to 64 meters. Main ports: in Great Britain - Dover, in France - Calais, Boulogne and [You must register to view this link] . The Eurotunnel passes under Pas-de-Calais. The strait was formed in the Anthropocene during the subsidence and flooding of land between the mainland and the British Isles.

Strait of Dover regime

The Strait of Dover (Pas de Calais) is of exceptional importance for navigation. Every day a huge flow of ships goes through it both towards the Atlantic Ocean and to the shores of many European countries. It is estimated that 300 thousand ships pass through the Strait of Dover every year, with at least 40 ships in the strait at any one time. Over 90 percent of ships use the approximately 5 mile wide channel between the Warne Bank and the English coast.

Cluster large number ships in narrow strait moving in different directions causes frequent collisions and accidents in the area. According to estimates by one Norwegian insurer, almost half of all collisions in the world occur in the area stretching from the English Channel to the Elbe River.
In connection with the current situation in this area, at the initiative of the coastal states, the question was raised about clearer regulation of vessel navigation with the establishment of recommended courses and the division of vessel traffic through the Strait of Dover into two streams.

For these purposes, back in 1961 in London, and then in Paris and Hamburg, a group of specialists was formed, which was tasked with preparing proposals for improving navigation, navigation fences and the creation special service information on ship traffic in the Strait of Dover. All proposals were submitted for consideration and discussion at meetings of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in order to prepare uniform rules for the navigation of ships in the Strait of Dover and adopt them internationally.

Eurotunnel

There is a railway tunnel under the Strait of Dover and the English Channel connecting continental Europe with Great Britain, opened May 6, 1994. As a symbol of a uniting Europe, at one time he held the title of the most long tunnel in the world, in this capacity it was replaced by the Seikan Tunnel (connecting the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido).

The tunnel has a length of about 51 kilometers, of which 39 are directly at the bottom of the sea. The American Society of Civil Engineers declared the Eurotunnel one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Based on materials from Wikipedia, Great Soviet Encyclopedia, randewy.ru

Strait of Dover, between the coast of France and the island. Great Britain. Franz. Pas de Calais - "Strait of Calais"(pas - "strait, channel". Calais is a city in French. shore of the strait). English, title Strait of Dover - "Strait of Dover" or "Straits of Dover"(strait - "strait", Dover is a city on the English side of the strait). In ancient times, the Strait of Gaul was called after its location on the shores of Gaul.

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST.Pospelov E.M.2001.

PAS DE CALAIS see British Isles

Brief geographical dictionary. EdwART. 2008.

Pas de Calais (French) Pas de Calais, English Dover Canal), a strait between the northern coast of France and south. coast of England. Connects the North Sea with the Strait. English Channel. Length 37 km, width 32–51 km, navigable depth 21–64 m, prevailing 25–40 m. In the middle of the strait there are shallows dangerous for navigation with depths of up to 1.5 m. Tides up to 3–5 m, tidal currents with speed up to 3.5–5.0 km/h. The constant current is directed eastward at a speed of 1–2 km/h. P.-de-C. has strategic importance as the most convenient and shortest route from the Northern countries. and Center. Europe to the Atlantic Ocean. Basic French ports: Boulogne, Calais, Dunkirk, English: Dover, Folkestone. There is a railway under the strait. a tunnel connecting the British Isles with Europe.

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under general edition acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006.

Pas de Calais (Strait of Dover), in the western Atlantic Ocean, between mainland Europe (France) and the island of Great Britain, connects the English Channel with the North Sea. Educated in con. Quaternary period during flooding river valleys as a result of rising sea levels. One of the most intense areas of shipping in the World Ocean, it is used as the shortest route from the Center. and Sev. Europe to the Atlantic Ocean. Dl. 37 km, latitude. from 32 to 51 km, depths: navigable part 21–64 m, prevailing 25–40 m. To the center. parts of the shallows dangerous for navigation (1.5 m). A constant current follows in the east at a speed of 1–2 km/h. Tides up to 5 m, associated with currents of up to 5 km/h. Ch. ports: in the UK - Dover, Folkestone; in France - Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer and Dunkirk. A tunnel was built under the strait connecting the continent with the island. Great Britain.

Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Edited by prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006.

Pas de Calais Pas de Calais is a department in France (see France), part of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region (see Nord-Pas-de-Calais). Administrative center department of Pas-de-Calais - Arras (Arras, 79 thousand inhabitants), a city on the Scarpe River, the main one in the historical region of Artois. Arras is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Ancient capital of the Atrebates tribe, until the 12th century. the city belonged to the Counts of Flanders, and became famous for its carpets. The city has preserved Roman fortifications and a citadel (the former headquarters of Turenne). The cathedral (1773-1883) was previously intended for an abbey. The former Abbey of Saint-Vaast is a very beautiful ensemble with two internal galleries. Currently, it houses a library and a Museum of Fine Arts (medieval sculpture, 17th century painting, as well as porcelain and archaeological finds). The city has many houses in a typically Flemish style. The chain begins from the town hall building with the clock tower underground passages piercing the city center.
The department contains such ancient towns as Calais, Boulogne, Etaples, Montreuil-sur-Mer, Saint-Omer. Calais (Calais, 76 thousand inhabitants), a port near the Pas-de-Calais Strait. An important transport hub. Sea passenger ferry to Dover (UK). Of all the French ports, Calais is closest to England: the strait between France and Great Britain is only 31 km wide and is a branch (“English Channel”) North Sea, one step away from Calais (“Pas de Calais”). Calais has an ancient production of lace, tulle, and embroidery. Already in the 14th century. was an important trading port. Associated with the name of the city historical event the time of King Edward III: to avoid the death of the inhabitants, a group of “citizens of Calais”, led by Eustache de Saint-Pierre, carried out to the English king keys to the city. A sculptural composition by Rodin created in 1895 on this theme is exhibited in Calais. From the middle of the 14th to the middle of the 16th century. The city was owned by the British. The city citadel was fortified by Vauban, but retained only the details of the previous fortifications - the ruins of two towers. The citadel was heavily damaged during the war of 1939-1945. and therefore underwent reconstruction. You should see the Guet Tower from the 13th century, the Notre Dame Church from the 13th-16th centuries. and the Museum of Fine Arts and Dentelle.

Boulogne (Boulogne-sur-Mer, 50 thousand inhabitants), a city and port in western France, near the Pas-de-Calais Strait. Passenger services to Dover and Folkestone (UK). Boulogne produces a quarter of the national fish catch. Citadel 13th century built by the son of Philip Augustus. It is worth visiting the palace-museum of the Counts of Boulogne and the 12th century bell tower. - part of the donjon of the former castle.
The fishing port of Etaples, which has gone through numerous wars. Local attractions include the Quentovic Museum, the Hotel de Ville and the Maison de la Faune et de la Flore. The Baie de la Canche Nature Reserve covers an area of ​​500 hectares and is home to 420 plant species, of which 80 are very rare.

Montreuil-sur-Mer is a very popular resort. Citadel 10th century it was rebuilt several times (in the 12th, 14th and 16th centuries). The towers of Reine Berthe and de Blanche have been preserved. The magnificent panorama that opens up while walking through the remains of the fortifications at one time shocked Victor Hugo so much that he moved the action of one of the episodes of Les Miserables here. The chapel of the former orphanage houses the city museum.

The town of Saint-Omer, immersed in the bush modern life, carefully stores historical heritage. Of the ancient monuments, especially interesting are the medieval houses on the Grand-Place, the Gothic Basilica of Notre Dame (13-16 centuries), which has practically preserved its original appearance. The Hotel Sandelin (1776) houses a museum of fine arts exhibiting antique furniture, tapestries, and handicrafts. Ivory, paintings, ceramics and faience from the North and Delft, very valuable church utensils and an original collection of pipes - 2 thousand pieces. The Henri-Dupuis Museum is located in a private house from the 18th century.

The luxury resort of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, located on the so-called “Opal Coast” with a magnificent beach and the famous L'Enduro motorcycle track. Luxury is hidden and discreet in English, unnoticeable to the prying eyes of others. The Touquet Museum (du Touquet) displays a collection of paintings from the “Etaples school”, as well as works by contemporary artists (Licata, Van Hecke). The Palais de l'Europe houses a museum of dolls, where with the help of toys different eras tells the history of the city and region up to the present day.

Encyclopedia of tourism of Cyril and Methodius. 2008.

Synonyms:

strait

The harsh beauty of Northern France, and in particular Nord-Pas-de-Calais, located in the historical region of French Flanders, is accessible only to those who are willing to put up with a fairly cold, humid climate (in summer the average temperature is not rises above 20 degrees) and the “modesty” of its constituent regions. This part of the country can hardly be called spoiled by the attention of tourists. Most of the attractions were destroyed during the Second World War, and the waters of the English Channel coast are more suitable for windsurfers than for those who want to soak up the hot sun on the beaches.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais is one of the three northern regions whose territory has access to the strait. Moreover, extended coastline, with rocks and beaches with golden sand, is the advantage of this part of France that does not indulge in the brightness of colors. The Opal Coast, or Côte d'Opale, is replete with well-equipped resorts, beloved by the English across the channel.

The English Channel connects the North Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, its waters separating continental Europe, represented by France, and the island of Great Britain. The narrowest point of the strait is considered to be the Pas de Calais. In the 90s, the famous Eurotunnel railway was built under the English Channel, connecting England and France, named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the seven new wonders of the world.

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Departments and cities of Nord-Pas-de-Calais

The region consists of two departments: Pas-de-Calais and Nord. The administrative center of Pas-de-Calais is the city of Arras. Regional capital and main city department of Nord - Lille. Major ports- Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer, which is also a resort.

Other big cities- Douai, Valenciennes, Dunkerque and Béthune.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais is rich in talent. This is where I was born great artist Henri Matisse, one of the most famous French presidents, Charles de Gaulle, and no less famous, however, for his “bloody” deeds, the figure of the Great French Revolution, Maximilian Robespierre.

Nature of Nord-Pas-de-Calais

History and culture

The history of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region dates back to prehistory. Even then, people lived in this territory and left behind stone tools. Subsequently, until the moment when the two autonomous departments were united into one administrative unit in 1960, Nord and Pas-de-Calais developed separately from each other, representing great interest for various conquerors, among whom were the Celts, the Romans, and English and Spanish. Only in the 17th century did these lands finally become part of France.

In the Middle Ages, the department of Nor, together with for the most part Belgium and the “piece” of the Netherlands were nothing more than Flanders. Today, people throughout the region are proud of their Flemish roots, culture and even cuisine, which still lives in their hearts. Love is also evident in the language spoken by the inhabitants of the southern part of Nora. The Picardy dialect of the French language called “ch’ti” (le ch’ti) is no less interesting and curious attraction than examples of Flemish architecture.

How to get to Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Several international and regional airports connect Nord-Pas-de-Calais with other cities. Lille International Airport (Aéroport de Lille-Lesquin) is located 10 km from the city center. Regular domestic flights (from Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Rennes, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg and Toulouse) and international flights: from Spain, Algeria, Morocco and Portugal. There are no direct flights to Russian cities from Lille. The regional airport in Le Touquet (Aéroport du Touquet Côte d’Opale) is located in the south-eastern part of the Opal Coast and serves scheduled and private flights. Another regional airport, Calais-Dunkerque (Aéroport de Calais - Dunkerque), is located in the town of Marche in the Pas-de-Calais department.

Search for flights to Paris (the nearest airport to Nord-Pas-de-Calais)

By train

Most TGV trains from Paris towards Nord-Pas-de-Calais depart from Paris Nord Station. Arras is a 56-minute drive from the center of the Pas-de-Calais department. Second class fare starts from 36 EUR. The journey to the regional capital Lille takes 1 hour. Second class fare starts from 43 EUR. You can also get to Lille from Brussels: French TGV or Eurostar trains will take you here in just 35 minutes and 29-68 EUR. Travel time from Paris to one of major ports Calais takes about two hours on average (it all depends on the route). Second class fare starts from 47 EUR. There is also a train connection with London: the train goes through the Channel Tunnel.

Prices on the page are as of August 2018.

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By car

Lille is one of the most convenient for motorists settlements. Many highways converge here. In order to get to the capital, from Paris you need to take the A1 autobahn, which also connects with the large city of Arras. A23 is the link between Lille and Valenciennes. The A25 connects Lille, Dunkirk and Calais.

Cuisine and restaurants

Nord-Pas-de-Calais has its own distinct cuisine, many of which are of Flemish origin. The basis of all recipes is regional products of the highest quality: poultry from Licques (volaille de Licques), potatoes from Melville (pomme de terre de Merville), beans Lingot du Nord (haricot lingot du Nord) and beef Belle Bleu (boeuf de race "belle" Bleue").

Characteristic features of gastronomy: first of all, the presence of beer in many dishes. Soup with beer (soupe à la bière), rooster in beer (coq à la bière), rabbit in beer with prunes (lapin à la bière et aux pruneaux), and even dessert - pancakes with beer (crêpes à la bière) - small list of “beer” delights. Another feature is fidelity to a time-tested recipe. Carbonade Flamande, chicken waterzoi (waterzoi de volaille), fish waterzoi (waterzoi de poisons), potjevleesch - the heritage of Flemish cuisine.

The name “waterzoi” translates as “boiling water”, and the strange word “potževleš” simply means “meat dish”.

Seafood dishes are also on the menu for residents of Nord-Pas-de-Calais: salad of pickled herring in cider (salade de rollmops au cidre), sea mussels (moules marinières) and much more.

Holidays on the Opal Coast

Popular hotels in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Entertainment and attractions in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Despite the colossal destruction that the Second World War brought with it World War, many towns in Nord-Pas-de-Calais have retained some of their landmarks. This is the Beffroi Tower and Town Hall (beffroi et hôtel de Ville), protected by UNESCO and built in the 15th-16th centuries, in Arras. Big square(Grande Place), which has served as a center for urban trade since the 11th century and is located in the same city. Rihour Palace (palais Rihour) Old Exchange (vieille bourse) and Citadel (citadelle) in Lille. The Abbey of Mont Saint-Eloi is 10 km northwest of Arras.

The Museum of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts) in Lille is one of the first museums to open in France. Its richest collection is second only to the Louvre. Opening hours: Monday - from 14:00 to 18:00, from Wednesday to Sunday - from 10:00 to 18:00. Tuesday is a day off. Ticket price: 8 EUR for adults, 4 EUR for children.