HISTORIC CALAIS
Notre-Dame Church in Calais: the church with an English past
Notre-Dame is not Calais’s grandest-looking landmark, but it is one of its most unusual. Its architecture reflects centuries of English influence, and Charles de Gaulle married local woman Yvonne Vendroux here in 1921.
Practical information checked September 2026
Is Notre-Dame worth visiting?
It is worth a short detour if you are already exploring Calais-Nord. The church is historically more interesting than its restrained brick exterior initially suggests, but it is not somewhere most visitors need to plan an entire morning around.
Our verdict
Spend 20 minutes here as part of a Calais-Nord walk. Do not drive across Calais solely to see it unless you have a particular interest in church architecture, Charles de Gaulle or the town’s English history.
Why does it look English?
Calais was under English rule from 1347 until 1558. Notre-Dame was expanded during that period, and parts of the building display architectural features more commonly associated with churches across the Channel.
Its broad, fortress-like appearance is quite different from the Gothic cathedrals many visitors expect to find in northern France. This connection with England makes it particularly relevant for British visitors.
Charles and Yvonne de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle married Yvonne Vendroux at Notre-Dame in April 1921. Yvonne was born into a prominent Calais family, giving the later French president a strong personal connection with the town.
Their association is also commemorated elsewhere in Calais, including a monument to the couple near Parc Richelieu.
War damage and reconstruction
Notre-Dame was severely damaged during the Second World War. In September 1944, bombardment caused the bell tower to collapse through part of the church.
Reconstruction began during the 1960s and restoration has continued in stages. The result is a building that combines surviving historic elements with extensive post-war repair.
Can you go inside?
Interior access can be less predictable than at a major tourist church. Religious services, restoration work and organised visits may affect when the building is open.
Do not depend on interior access
Treat the church as part of a wider walking route. If seeing the interior is important to you, ask the Calais tourist office about current opening or guided-visit arrangements.
What else is nearby?
Notre-Dame is in Calais-Nord and is easy to combine with several nearby places:
Together, these work well as part of our two-to-four-hour Calais itinerary.
Visiting before a crossing
The church is reasonably convenient for ferry passengers because Calais-Nord is relatively close to the port. Allow enough time to park and return before your operator’s check-in deadline.
It is less convenient immediately after LeShuttle, which arrives in Coquelles near Cité Europe. With a tight schedule, shopping around the terminal is the more logical choice.