Standing at the narrowest point of the English Channel, just 34 kilometres from the white cliffs of Dover, Calais occupies a singular position in European history and geography. For centuries a strategic crossing point between France and Britain, the city has been shaped by trade, conflict and cultural exchange in equal measure. At its heart, the Rodin masterpiece the Burghers of Calais commemorates one of the most moving episodes of the Hundred Years War, a powerful reminder of the city's long and layered past. The historic lighthouse and the Flemish-style belfry that presides over the Place d'Armes speak to a distinct architectural character that sets Calais apart from its French peers. The city is also renowned as the world capital of fine lace, with the Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode offering an absorbing insight into this centuries-old craft. With ferry and Eurostar connections making it one of Europe's most transited cities, Calais is far more than a crossing point.