Car Hire Calais

Car Rental in Calais

Located on the shores of the English Channel in the north of France, Calais is the closest European city to the UK, and has had an eventful past due to its important location. Heavily fortified in medieval times as well as during both World Wars, Calais and the surrounding area has loads of historical sites, as well as several excellent museums, not to mention vast areas of beautiful scenery ready for you to explore with your rental car. Auto Europe offers several pick up locations and a large fleet selection, so finding a car rental in Calais is both easy and economical.

Travelling in Calais with a Car Rental

A great way to start your visit here is by visiting the lighthouse located by the harbour. Climbing to the top of the 50m tower will reward you with stunning views of the Calais, as well as the English Channel, and the famous white cliffs of Dover. Although badly damaged during World War I and II, Calais does have some impressive buildings worth visiting. Most notable is the Town Hall, which was built between the 1910s-20s and is a symbol of the region. Complete with a 75 metre high belfry, the building features stained glass windows, many detailed decorations, and a statue of the Six Burghers of Calais, which are famous local icons.

To see how life was in the area before being connected to the UK with rail and tunnel, drive your rental car south of Calais to Saint-Joseph Village, located about 10 minutes away. The village is a large recreated scene from the early 1900s, complete with houses, windmills and farms. A short drive west of here you can visit a great WWII museum, complete with recreated scenes from the war, as well as thousands of historical items and an educational cinema.

To learn even more about the effects of war in the area, drive your hire car to the east of Calais, and visit the Bunker of Eperlecques, the largest bunker in northern France. There is also a museum dedicated to rockets, missiles and space travel here, definitely worth a visit for history buffs and aviation enthusiasts. If you have had enough sight seeing, Calais is also a great city to relax and unwind. You can spend the day at the beach, of perhaps go on a boating trip or cruise, the whole time watching the huge ships travelling to and from the UK.

Useful Distances and Day Trip Ideas in Calais

Car Hire in Calais with Auto Europe

Book your car hire in Calais with Auto Europe over our safe, reliable and secure online booking system. Our exceptional customer service and Beat Rate Guarantee assure the best savings and quality of service on your car hire. For more information, read our Car Hire FAQ page, read our Terms and Conditions, or Contact Us.