Last weekend, we took off again, maybe you followed on instagram? After Normandy at the end of May, we went as a family to Nord Pas de Calais . The Opal Coast More precisely. Our 'goal':land yachting on those beautiful, long beaches you see in commercials and other travel magazines... Well, I'm not good at suspense:we couldn't do any... not enough wind. Disappointment.
However… we discovered a very pretty region that none of us knew before.
Here are our favourites/recommendations for spending a great weekend with the children in this part of the department.
We start with a huge crush on A morning in the woods where we slept on Friday evening after the road from Paris (3h15) These 4 guest rooms (including a parental suite WITH SEPARATION) (you know how important it is) are hidden at the end of a dead end, there, at the very back. In the woods. Everything I like:calm, nature, but also comfort, a magnificent decor, a perfect breakfast, adorable hosts. I totally fell in love with this "property" of 5 ha. I am no exception since the ratings on the various review sites are all excellent. (bravo for the originality Eza). Count 230 euros for the night at 4 with breakfasts. Note that an equipped kitchen to be shared between the guests is available. Very practical if you want to stay several days and bring small things for dinner in the evening. When I tell you that this place is perfect.
15 minutes away, the village of Montreuil sur Mer is to be visited in particular via a pretty walk on the ramparts of the city (allow an hour for a leisurely walk. Prefer the baby carrier to the stroller – except if off-road). Map to pick up at the tourist office after a short tour of the market (Saturday morning). For us, it was stuffing strawberries from the region.
Then, heading west, towards the English Channel (and not the North Sea as I thought when I arrived… hum, excuse my lack of knowledge… now, I KNOW… the North Sea starts further north – well done – after the Strait of Dover / Pas de Calais where we have the shortest distance between England and France, namely 33km)(end of the encyclopedia page)
What to do at Berck (apart from saying Yuck, well done dwarfs)? Well:Shipping (weather permitting, with Éole Club), but also magnificent walks along the bay of Authie where you can see, at low tide... an adorable colony of seals.
Minute cute ON
Another huge crush… what it was CHOU damn it! (sorry) Well, I was the funniest of the family, I admit. But giiiiii
Obviously, zero, I had forgotten my camera in the car. So I only took the iPhone... it doesn't do much! So you'll have to go see for yourself!
You can contact to organize a "guided" visit, the association "Les Sentiers de la Baie".
So, clearly the city of Berck, we didn't hit it off. On the other hand, going up, we discovered Wimereux, Ambleteuse and Wissant (pronounce 800 so you don't sound stupid like some – uh uh). And there... it was beautiful!
This is where you will find the 2 Caps:Gris Nez, and Blanc Nez . ESSENTIALS.
It was simply sublime, despite the gloomy weather. We take full nostrils (puns) (yes, yes, with coughed nose) (do you have it?) and eyes.
We ran on the beach at low tide, we saw seals again at high tide. It was magical.
Beautiful walks there still to be done, accessible to all.
For accommodation, in Ambleteuse, I recommend our hotel:Les Argousiers (no family room, however, I saw a small cot and a high chair on loan) The rooms overlook a pretty and pleasant lawn, ideal to chase the dwarves after the road. Breakfast at the top.
In Wissant , you can contact Bénédicte Massart on 06 81 20 87 57. She offers thematic visits very nice, we discovered part of the fishing village with her, thanks to little games/riddles and these great explanations. The visit is really suitable for families (and therefore children). It's great. Count a big hour.
Finally, on the way back, you must of course stop in Boulogne to visit Nausicaa. We do have a very nice aquarium in Paris (Trocadero), but you will also see there among the 1600 species present:huge sharks, a gigantic sea turtle and penguins (which made me feel a little sick, I admit, I prefer to see them in Beauval for once). The largest aquarium in Europe is now really pleasant, despite the crowds, there is good access to the different pools – even children – the explanations are clear, we have a good time. Only downside:the restoration is horribly expensive and … yuck. Prefer to have lunch outside. Count €25.90 per adult and €19.50 per child (over 3 years old)
And to listen this weekend, it's on the "Family &Travel" Podcast
