Place d'Armes and Tour du Guet, Calais

The Place d'Armes borders the Tour du Guet (the Watchtower) and is strategically located in the heart of the city. Historically it was a central meeting place for military meetings and important ceremonies.
Important scenes took place in this square during the siege of Calais between 1346 and 1347. Six citizens of Calais, known as the “glorious citizens”, surrendered to King Edward III of England to save their city. This heroic moment was later immortalized in the famous bronze sculpture “Les Bourgeois de Calais” by Auguste Rodin.

A “place d'armes” is usually located in the center of a fortress and functions as a gathering place for a small force and as a central space for military ceremonies. During the English occupation (1347-1558) the square was known as the “Market Place”. After the reconquest of Calais in 1558 by François, Duke of Guise, it was eventually given the name “Place d'Armes”.

Beautiful square in Calais, which the children like to use as a water playground on hot days.