Ardres is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.

Geography

Ardres is located 10.1 mi by rail (station is at Pont-d'Ardres, a few kilometers from Ardres) S.S.E. of Calais, with which it is also connected by a canal (with limited turning space). It is one of three towns that make up Les Trois Pays, or "Three Countries", the other two being Guînes and Licques.

History

Ardes was located next to the Pale of Calais, held by the English from 1346 to 1558, and as a result was an important trading and military post. The 1520 meeting between Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold was held just over the border at the English-controlled town of Balinghem. The town has been an important market for cattle. In June 1546, it was the location of the Treaty of Ardres, an agreement between Henry and Francis that ended the 1542-1546 Anglo-French War.

Population

The inhabitants are called Ardrésiens.

Sights

Major tourist attractions at Ardres include the Chapelle des Carmes and the Eglise Notre Dame de Grâce. There are also some lakes (created when peat was removed) which provide fishing and sailing.

Personalities

Transport

The Chemin de fer d'Anvin à Calais opened a railway station at Ardres in 1881. In 1902, the Tramway à vapeur d'Ardres à Pont d'Ardres opened a line from Ardres station to Pont d'Ardres. The railways were closed in 1955.

Sources