CALAIS, a city of the arrondissement of Boulogne, and department of Calais, in France. It is a place of importance from being the nearest point to England, and the landing place of those who pass from thence to the Continent. The harbour, which is dry at low water, is only fit for the reception of small vessels. It is fortified strongly both on the land and sea sides. The walls form a pleasing, and indeed the only promenade. It is well built, with a good square, and with streets leading from it in straight lines. It contains 900 houses, besides barracks; and the inhabitants amount to 8500. The place suffers from want of good water.