Cap Gris-Nez
The French headland closest to England, with sandstone cliffs and a lighthouse overlooking one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. It is the western end of the Two Capes walk.
Cap Gris-Nez is only about 30 km from the English coast, the closest point of mainland Europe to Britain. The headland is home to a lighthouse and a station monitoring Channel shipping. Below, the rocks are scattered across the shore, and visitors can watch large ships passing through the strait, often with seabirds and seals. The surrounding area retains many bunkers from the Atlantic Wall of the Second World War. It is a 10-minute walk from the car park to the headland tip. The GR120 coastal path runs east through Wissant to Cap Blanc-Nez (about 15 km), and south to Audresselles. Entry is free, but parking is tight on summer weekends.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Atlantic Wall Museum (Batterie Todt)
- Audresselles
- Fort Mahon, Ambleteuse
- Wissant Beach
- Dunes de la Slack
- Wimereux
- Column of the Grande Armée
- Cap Blanc-Nez