Just heard that Freddy is being forced to close the doors. Another victim of the recession. Such a shame - the food was good, Freddy always welcoming. No reason to visit Calais now..
I was at Calais today (just for customs though, not for food).
Sure the airport looks very much run down and somewhat depressed.
LFAC sure is very useful (avgas, customs, low fees). But that's just for tech stops. Otherwise, the airport and the place just doesn't hold a candle to Le Touquet.
My recollection of Calais was its main claim to fame was the East Enders wine supermarket, which sold the stuff at about 10-20% below UK prices, so there was no point in going unless one drove a Transit van on the ferry and filled it right up with beer - which indeed people I used to know in my "youth" used to do. To get properly cheap alcohol you have to go to Spain.
