Calais / Gravelines

The Vélomaritime leaves Calais, the leading French port for crossings to England, guiding you towards Le Platier d'Oye Nature Reserve, a major European ornithological site. Welcome to the Pays des Wateringues, a part of the wider Flandres Maritimes area (French coastal Flanders)! This stage ends at Gravelines, the port's fortifications, designed by Louis XIV's great engineer Vauban, superbly preserved and a pleasure to walk around.

The route

From Blériot-Plage beach, you will travel through Calais on cycle paths of different shapes. Between Calais and Oye-Plage, cycling facilities have been created on their own site or on rural paths. Between Oye-Plage and Grand-Fort Philippe, low-traffic municipal roads will allow you to pass near the Platier d'Oye before arriving at Gravelines.

SNCF

• Nearby train stations: Gravelines Calais ville Calais Fréthun (TGV station)