New member interview: City of Calais

The city of Calais, a historic link between France, the North Sea, and the British Isles, lies on what is known as the Opal Coast, in the Pas-de-Calais département. Its commercial and fishing port has experienced rapid growth since merging with the nearby port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, and the city’s busy ferry terminal is the largest in France. Calais municipal authority works to ensure that the various port operations are carried out sustainably and with respect for the local community.The city of Calais joined the AIVP in 2023. We have always been committed to finding a balance between the interests of our citizens and efforts to raise our international profile. Madame Natacha Bouchart; Mayor of Calais AIVP – You recently became a member of our association. Can you briefly tell us about your organization? Calais is the biggest city in France’s Pas-de-Calais département. A historic city, it is the United Kingdom’s gateway to continental Europe. Calais has many strengths: its ferry port is the largest in Europe, with an average of 10 million travelers passing through it every year. It also handles a third of all RoRo freight traffic between Europe and the UK. In addition, the city has a tourism policy built around the Calais Dragon, a huge mechanical construction that is estimated to generate around 15 million euros in income annually. The waterfront was completely redesigned and redeveloped in 2021, providing all citizens with access to a pleasant, eco-friendly space and several miles of fine sandy beaches. Today, Calais is a perfect balance of history and modernity, making it…