As French authorities began demolishing parts of the notorious "Jungle" camp today, hundreds of migrants lined up with all of their possessions for transport to asylum centres elsewhere in France.
More than 2500 migrants have left the camp this week, French authorities said.
Defying expectations, France's demolition of the Jungle has largely proceeded in a calm and orderly fashion. There were none of the violent scenes that marked the Government's earlier attempts to close portions of this sprawling camp, where as many as 9000 people - mostly from Afghanistan and Sudan - have lived in squalor for more than a year, an experience riddled by disease and lawlessness.
In the past, most migrants refused to abandon the Jungle because they believed staying would make it easier to enter Britain where many still say they hope to go. Some remain in the camp, but after months of failed attempts to stow away on trucks and ferries heading across the English Channel, many have resigned themselves to staying in France, at least for now.
As a small crew of about 20 construction workers began tearing down makeshift dwellings in this seaside shantytown, those waiting to get out said that they had no idea where they would sleep.