Cap Gris-Nez

Rare finds, such as large ammonites, as well as fish and reptile teeth, are occasionally uncovered in the sandstone layers containing small pebbles.

On July 18, 1805, the Battle of Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez occurred, in which a numerically superior British flotilla pursued Dutch ships attempting to reach the harbour at Ambleteuse while following the coast.

The locality has a cluster of World War II bunkers, part of the Atlantic Wall intended to rebuff the anticipated Allied invasion.

These covered the approaches to both Calais and Boulogne, and they were protected by large concrete blockhouses as well as other lesser defensive sites.

The current cylindrical concrete lighthouse at Cap Gris-Nez, built in 1958, replaced a previous structure destroyed during the war.

Standing 31 meters (102 feet) tall, the lighthouse and its accompanying radar station provide guidance to over 500 ships passing the cape every day.