Guide to Pas de Calais and Property in Department 62

Pas-de-Calais is a department in France's northernmost region, bordering the Strait of Dover. The departments of Nord and Somme, the English Channel, and the North Sea surround it. The department shares a nominal border with the English county of Kent- the two regions are connected via the Channel Tunnel. Pas-de-Calais is part of the Hauts-de-France region, and its principal towns include Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Étaples, Artois, Lens, Liévin, Arras and Saint-Omer. Although Pas-de-Calais is one of France's most densely populated departments, it lacks large cities. The largest town in the area is Calais, with a population of around 80,000 people. Other notable…

Pas-de-Calais is a department in France's northernmost region, bordering the Strait of Dover. The departments of Nord and Somme, the English Channel, and the North Sea surround it. The department shares a nominal border with the English county of Kent- the two regions are connected via the Channel Tunnel. Pas-de-Calais is part of the Hauts-de-France region, and its principal towns include Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Étaples, Artois, Lens, Liévin, Arras and Saint-Omer. Although Pas-de-Calais is one of France's most densely populated departments, it lacks large cities. The largest town in the area is Calais, with a population of around 80,000 people. Other notable towns in the region include Arras, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Lens and Liévin. Most of the population is concentrated along the border with the Nord department in the mining district. A string of small towns in this area constitutes an urban region with a population of approximately 1.2 million. Additionally, the centre and south of the department are rural but still fairly heavily populated, with many small towns and villages.

A Legacy of Wars and Coal

Pas-de-Calais (department number 62) is steeped in history and saw intense fighting during World War I. Despite this, the region's population recovered quickly after both world wars. Still, many mining towns experienced sharp declines, with some losing up to half their residents. Historically, the economy relied heavily on mining, especially coal near Lens, where coal was first found in 1849. However, since World War II, the economy has diversified, causing many mines to close and leading to an employment crisis.

Key Information about the Pas-de-Calais (62)

• Main City/Prefecture: Arras
• Nearest Airport: Lille-Lesquin Airport
• Population: Around 1.5 million (as of the latest census)
• Area: 6,671 sq. kilometres and 2,576 sq. miles
• Landmark: Vimy Ridge Memorial, commemorating Canadian soldiers who fought in World War I.
• Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 2.5 million, attracted by its coastal cliffs, battlefields and cultural heritage.

Property Prices in Pas‑de‑Calais in 2026

•  Houses: the average price per sq. metre: €1,822 (April 2026)
•  Apartments: the average price per sq. metre: €3,413 (April 2026)
•  Price trends: +10% over the last 12 months, +49% over the last 5 years (Le Figaro - April 2026)

House Prices in the Main Towns in Pas‑de‑Calais in 2026

•  Average House Price in Arras: €1,865 per sq. metre (April 2026)
•  Average House Price in Boulogne‑sur‑Mer: €1,557 per sq. metre (April 2026)

(source: Le Figaro Immobilier)

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