I last went 3 years ago, and stayed in a gite with friends who had never been before. We stayed in the town of Hesdin (pronounced 'aydan), about 70 miles from Calais, spending the Friday before and Saturday after at the Ibis budget at Coquelles. On the Saturday, as we were going in, a guy over 2 metres tall opened the door for us, and we ducked under his arm to get in! He was wearing his CRS uniform, and towered over us. On our way out to eat in the Cite de Europe, he and his mates were congregated near the entrance. All looked very handy,and very hard, and you wouldn't want to see them facing you in a riot.
It turns out that they were all staying at the hotel, as the problem with the "asylum seekers" trying to get to England was at it's peak, and they'd been sent in to "help" the local Officer Crabtrees.
I've never felt so secure in a hotel before or since!