Calais and the surrounding countryside is often seen as a place to go through and not stay, but if you look past the declining industry and flat farmland, there is a wealth of beautiful rural villages and great food, writes Tomas Mowlam.

The problem is that these are tricky to find, but going local will allow you to find the best spots in and around Calais.

The Pas de Calais tourist board has now created a network of “greeters”, modelled on the New York “Big Apple Greeters”, who volunteer to show curious tourists round their own little corner of the countryside.

In the 1990s New York residents were recruited to show tourists that the city wasn’t all gun crime and muggings, likewise Calais residents are determined to show that there’s more to this underrated corner of France.

“They welcome visitors to talk about the area where they live,” says the tourist board, “and about themes close to their hearts: nature, local history, particular professions, traditions.”

Calais has some great countryside and some even better food, so pick the right guides, and you can experience wonderful country walks, sample tangy apple ciders, rich cheeses and traditionally baked bread.

Basically you can find all the best the area has to offer with local knowledge. It’s just a stones throw from England, and ferry trips are cheap.

“Unlike professional guides they do not welcome groups, but only individuals [maximum 6 people] on request, free of charge.

“The principle of the association is based on meeting the inhabitants and sharing their passions.”

Check out the Pas de Calais tourist board website, pas-de-calais.com, or the greeters own website, greeters62.com, for more information. The latter site is in French so you will have to use a translate tool.

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Image Credit: cwbuecheler

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