A Travel Price Comparison for France Calais vs. Beaune for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Calais or Beaune?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Calais or Beaune? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Beaune

Beaune is a quaint, vineyard-filled, and cultural town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Beaune?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Calais and Beaune are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Beaune is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Beaune is more touristy than Calais and is known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Calais different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaune and Calais. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Calais or Beaune?

Beaune is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Beaune offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Calais or Beaune? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Beaune is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Calais and Beaune.

Calais has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Calais or Beaune Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beache. However, Beaune is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Beaune is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Beaune can be explored in its historical center. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Beaune?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Beaune and Calais.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Beaune. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Calais or Beaune Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Beaune.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Beaune offers lots of family activities. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Calais or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Beaune makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Calais or Beaune Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Beaune.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

While Beaune offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Calais or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Beaune on foot is easy. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Calais Worth Visiting? and Is Beaune Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Calais?

How long in Calais or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Calais or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beaune due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Calais, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.

Families should spend more time in Beaune than Calais. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Beaune, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Beaune than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaune that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beaune than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Beaune.

One day in Calais or Beaune?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Beaune. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Calais or Beaune?

Calais is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Beaune is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Calais or Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaune. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Calais or Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Calais. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vineyard-filled destination of Beaune. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Calais and Beaune, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. And not only is Calais much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calais would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calais and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune than you might in Calais.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Calais Expensive? and Is Beaune Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or Beaune?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Calais and Beaune, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Calais or Beaune?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Calais or Beaune in the Summer?

Both Beaune and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beaune because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Calais is generally cooler than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Beaune. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Beaune during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives less rain than Beaune. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Beaune in the Autumn?

Both Beaune and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

Calais is around the same temperature as Beaune in the autumn. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Beaune fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Beaune. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Beaune in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Beaune. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beaune for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Beaune. It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In the winter, Calais is a little warmer than Beaune. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Beaune averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Calais usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune during winter. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Calais usually receives less rain than Beaune. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Beaune in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Beaune. Many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Beaune in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Calais is generally cooler than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets less sunshine than Beaune. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in April than Beaune. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Calais