Guînes is a commune in the northern French department of Pas-de-Calais. Historically it was spelt Guisnes.

The Pale of Calais was a territory in northern France ruled by the monarchs of England from 1347 to 1558. The area, which was taken following the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and the subsequent siege of Calais, was confirmed at the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. It became an important economic centre for England in Europe's textile trade centred in Flanders.