A must-see destination for nature lovers, the Baie de Somme has been awarded the Grand Site de France label. Situated along the Picardy coast in the Hauts-de-France region, its landscape is made up of a succession of long sandy beaches, such as those at Quend or Fort-Mahon. A favorite region for hikers, the coastline is lined with numerous trails that are equally enjoyable on foot or by bike. Whatever the season, the Baie de Somme is an unrivalled natural showcase for migratory birds, particularly in the Parc du Marquenterre. In addition to its great ornithological interest, the region is also one of France's most popular places to admire seals. To make sure you don't miss out on any of this exceptional territory, here are our 10 must-sees in the Baie de Somme.
1. Parc du Marquenterre, an incredible bird sanctuary
The quintessence of the natural beauty of the Baie de Somme, the Parc du Marquenterre covers 220 hectares. If the flora is majestic, particularly in spring when the dunes are adorned with ephemeral onagers, the main reason for coming to the Parc du Marquenterre is to admire the migratory birds. With the help of specialist guides, visitors can follow three itineraries to discover this unique ornithological fauna. One of these is a 5.35 km loop route. Moderate in level, this route is easily accessible. We strongly advise you to rent a pair of binoculars to admire the spectacle!
Please note, however, that it's essential to be well-informed, as you'll need to book your walk in advance. Each time slot is fixed in advance by specialists who take into account the rhythm of the birds throughout the year. Tidal cycles and the rhythm of nature are also taken into account. Above all, we respect the plant and animal world. It's up to humans to adapt!
2. Le Crotoy, along the bay
Before its bay silted up, Le Crotoy was one of the most important fishing ports in the English Channel. Today, the town is renowned for its luxury vacation villas and long, south-facing sandy beaches . The landscape changes with the tide, revealing a long sandbank leading down to the sea when the tide is low. Le Crotoy's beaches are ideal for kitesurfing, although you need to be careful of the currents. It's also one of the best spots for watching the sunset over the Baie de Somme.
Make the most of your stay here by taking part in a number of sports and leisure activities. Pirogue excursions, for example, are organized by the Ma Baie de Somme association. A great opportunity to discover the area in an original way! Children will love the horse-drawn carriage rides. Whatever your choice, let yourself be carried away by your guide's enthusiasm and love of the area... which is 100% infectious!
3. Mers-les-Bains and the Belle Époque
Along the seafront of Mers-les-Bains, you'll find over 500 colorful villas dating back to the Belle Époque. These elegant buildings, constructed during the boom in seaside tourism, are the town's most charming asset. They form a unique landscape stretching for almost 1 km, facing the sea. It's worth taking the time to admire each facade, especially the beautiful balconies and their distinctive roofs. A true gem, Mers-les-Bains is set against a backdrop of towering cliffs.
4. Cayeux-sur-Mer, a charming seaside resort
Cayeux-sur-Mer owes its name to its enormous pebbles, "cayeux" in Picardy. In fact, its 14 km long beach is not covered in sand, but in stones that have come from the surrounding cliffs, then polished and deposited by the sea. The 2 km-long "chemin des planches" is a must-see, lined with some 400 beach huts. It's one of the town's most distinctive images. Cayeux-sur-Mer is also within easy reach of the Pointe du Hourdel, one of the best seal-watching spots on the Bay of the Somme.
5. The Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, a leap into the past
The charming steam locomotive of the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme transports passengers back in time. Active since 1887, the Réseau des Bains de mer was created when seaside holidays began to develop in France. It serves Le Crotoy, Noyelles-sur-Mer, Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme and Cayeux-sur-Mer, through fields and marshes. A smart way to discover the Bay of the Somme, leaving your car in the parking lot!
6. Quend and its endless beach
If you hate crowded beaches, Quend is the place to go! Its 15 km-long sandy beach is so vast that you can put your towel down wherever you please. Quend-plage offers a wide range of activities, from sand yachting to horseback riding on the Henson, the typical horse of the Baie de Somme. Fishermen, meanwhile, will be delighted to pick up bouchot mussels.
7. Ault, a striking setting
On the border of the Pays de Caux region, the village ofAult enjoys a unique natural setting, framed by the highest chalk cliffs in Europe, some of which are 102 m high. These colossuses rise up to the sea, which challenges them at every turn, eroding them over time. A visit to the Baie de Somme is a must. In the hollow of one of these cliffs, the Bois de Cise, with its lush greenery and Belle Époque villas, is also a must-see. The view of the Channel coast, often praised by Victor Hugo, is splendid.
8. Fort-Mahon-Plage, a breath of fresh air
Fort-Mahon beach lies between the Baie de Somme and the Baie d'Authie, in an unspoilt natural setting where bathers can choose from a wide range of leisure activities. Windsurfing, sliding down the sand dunes, horse riding or kitesurfing, everything is available to make your stay an excellent one. As a result, Fort-Mahon-Plage is very busy during the high season, but it's still a very pleasant place to be, thanks in particular to its wide-open spaces that allow you to get away from the crowds.
9. Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, medieval town
The charm of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme can be discovered along the narrow streets and ramparts of its upper town, where you'll find some of its finest remains, such as the church of Saint-Martin. Visitors to this church with its Gothic façade will discover a beautiful Renaissance triptych. Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, considered one of the most beautiful villages in northern France, also boasts a rich port history. Le Courtgain, the sailors' quarter, is well worth a visit. Finally, to find out more about local history, visit the Picarvie museum, which offers a real immersion into a 19th-century Picardy village.
10. Watch seals at the pointe du Hourdel
Between Le Crotoy and Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, the Pointe du Hourdel is one of the best places to observe the colony of seals in the Bay of the Somme. Of course, you'll need binoculars to avoid getting too close to the animals, as this could scare them off. A number of guides and associations offer tours on foot, by canoe or kayak, so you can spot and admire these mammals in complete safety.
11. The most beautiful places to admire a sunset
Admiring a sunset is one of the must-do activities in the Hauts de France region, as it is such a dreamy sight... Some places are better than others for indulging in this superb spectacle:
- the pebble beach at the tip of Le Hourdel,
- la Maye, south of the Parc du Marquenterre,
- le Crotoy beach.
The Bay of the Somme was adorned in shades of red and orange, shimmering above the sea. Some evenings, the sky turned yellow, pink or even purple... These magical moments last only a short time, but offer a moment of fulfillment and wonder like no other.
12. Take a road trip from the Côte d'Opale to the Baie de Somme
Fans of nomadic vacations are in for a treat! From the Côte d'Opale to the Baie de Somme, one of the best road trips in France awaits you. Leave as you please, visiting departments, beaches and cultural sites along the way. Walking, cycling, sand yachting and other water sports make for a fun way to explore this vast area. On the Côte d'Opale, the seaside resort of Berck-sur-Mer, famous for its kite-flying competition, will be one of your stops. Continue on to Le Tréport, where you can enjoy a number of pleasant hikes:
- Mont Jolibois,
- Etoquigny,
- Val du Roy,
- Gratte-Panche, etc.
Wilderness lovers will be delighted with this road trip. Make sure you're well covered, though, as the weather can be changeable around here!
13. Cross the Baie de Somme on foot with a guide
Seeing the Bay of the Somme is one thing... crossing it on foot, with a guide, is quite another! Why a guide? Quite simply, because he'll tell you all you need to know about the area, while ensuring your safety. In particular, he'll make sure you cross this unique site at low tide, when all danger has passed. Your guide will also warn you of any hazards you may encounter along the way, such as the soft, slippery sands of the bay.
During the 3-hour trip, you'll cross the bay from Le Crotoy to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Of course, the reverse is also possible, depending on where you're vacationing. As your adventure unfolds, you'll discover the richness of the surrounding flora and fauna, in a place of multiple natural riches.
14. The superb gardens of Valloires Abbey
Head north of Abbeville, in the commune ofArgoules. Here, in an unspoilt green setting, standsValloires Abbey, the only remaining Cistercian abbey in France. The building, a testament to 18th-century Baroque architecture, has retained all its splendor.
Its formal gardens, with a superb rose garden, are absolutely sublime. It's a pleasure to stroll through these colorful alleys, imbued with a restful atmosphere. Make the most of your day and take a guided tour of the abbey and gardens at the same time: it's sure to be a delightful experience!
15. Remembrance tourism, an interesting cultural activity
Although war relics aren't necessarily what you think of on vacation, you'll find plenty of them in Normandy and northern France. It's a way of remembering, while learning many things that aren't in school textbooks.
As a reminder of the First World War, military cemeteries were set up in the Bay of the Somme. Later, when the Second World War broke out, the Germans made arrangements for a possible landing. Remnants of this, such as the blockhouses on Hourdel beach, remain to this day. At Eperlecques, some 77 km from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, there is also a huge blockhouse dating from this period.
How do I get to the Baie de Somme?
By car, take the freeway to your destination. From Paris, for example, take the A16 and join the A28. It takes just over 2 hours from the capital. If you're coming from far away, you can also take a plane for your vacation. Ideally, you'll land at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. Other airports include Paris Orly and Beauvais. To complete your journey, you can also take the train. The best option is to arrive at Noyelles-sur-Mer station, then rent a car on the spot. Ideally, you should anticipate this last step by reserving your car online well in advance of your departure.
As these operations are not easy, we recommend that you take your own car. The journey will be more direct, and you'll be free to do all your visiting once you're there.
What's the most beautiful place on the Baie de Somme?
The Baie de Somme in its entirety can be described as superb! It's so green, its nature so unspoilt, that it could easily be included in the list of France's most eco-friendly vacation destinations.
However, if we had to name just one, it would be Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. This village can definitely be included in the list of France's most beautiful villages. Like all medieval towns, it's seductive with its narrow streets, ramparts and other period buildings. It's so easy to let yourself go and contemplate these relics of another era! History buffs will also find this a unique place in France, as Joan of Arc and William the Conqueror themselves lived out some of their adventures here.
As you stroll through this old town, let yourself be charmed by the unusual house fronts. They are adorned with 1001 shimmering colors, to the delight of passers-by. Some alleyways boast colorful flowers, successfully brightening up the facades. Every step you take through these picturesque lanes invites you to take a change of scenery.
Continue your day by discovering the quays of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and their little boats, just waiting for the next opportunity to set sail... Then, you too can cross the Porte de Nevers and discover a typical fortified village of the region, as pretty as it is rich in history and heritage!
Where and when can you see seals in the Baie de Somme?
The Baie de Somme is home to the world's largest colony of harbor seals. At low tide, they can be observed resting. The utmost respect must be shown to these animals. Ideally, keep a distance of 300 meters between you and them. If you want to observe them discreetly, there are a few places to go:
- La pointe du Hourdel, with binoculars or a spyglass. It's possible to book a trip with Picardie Nature to do it the right way.
- The Baie d'Authie, where you can spot them from the dyke.
- In the ports of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Le Crotoy, at high tide.
Want to get up close and personal with these marine animals, without scaring them off? Book a kayak trip from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, then paddle along peacefully. Once you're close to the seals, don't try to touch them, and keep a safe distance. The animals' well-being is at stake, as is respect for the rhythms of nature, which must never be disturbed by humans.
To see them, choose June, July and August. At low tide, they grace us with their presence every day.
What to do in the Baie de Somme when it rains?
The ideal time to visit the Baie de Somme for a weekend is in May, when the weather becomes milder. However, whether it's May or midsummer, the weather in this part of France can be a bit temperamental! At that point, seal-watching and hiking will have to wait... But you won't be bored on rainy days!
The Musée Boucher de Perthes, for example, is a great place to visit when the weather's bad. The architecture of the building alone is worth a visit. Inside, the rich collections are sure to please. Saint-Valery-sur-Somme also hosts a number of exhibitions on a regular basis. Contact your nearest tourist office to find out which exhibitions are on during your stay.
A rainy day can also be a good opportunity for a boat trip. Board the Commandant Charcot, for example, to admire the bay and its surroundings from a different vantage point. Part of the boat is covered, so you can enjoy the ride in peace and quiet.
The Baie de Somme is one of the places you have to see at least once in your life! There are many cultural attractions to visit. But what we love most about this unspoilt area is the natural wealth that surrounds us... Flora and fauna flourish in a calm, serene environment. It's up to us to respect the natural order of things. It's the perfect opportunity for green tourism!
