To many visitors in this region, Boulogne Sur Mer – a city in the Calais region of France along the Opal coast on the English Channel – is a very pleasant surprise. Still surrounded by walls that were built in the 12th century on Roman foundations, the city is replete with a castle and a moat.

Boulogne Sur Mer is also home to the famed Notre Dame Basilica with its impressive Italian Dome. Built between 1827 and 1866, the cathedral looms large over the city and is visible from virtually any street as you approach via a rented car.

Although many tourists tend to miss Boulogne Sur Mer as they travel south, it boasts excellent sandy beaches and is a wonderful resort town. The sea-facing side of this city is now home to the Nausicaa French National Marine Centre, which boasts an impressive variety of marine life and works to educate the public about the dangers of pollution and over-fishing.