Le Touquet-Paris-Plage: what to do 20 minutes from the cottage

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is the most iconic resort on the Côte d'Opale, 19 km from the cottage, around twenty minutes by car. Founded in the late 19th century as a holiday destination for the Anglo-French upper classes, it has kept its Belle Époque architecture, grand villas and pine forest, while remaining a highly accessible destination for a day trip.

The beach and the seafront

Le Touquet's beach stretches for several kilometres of fine sand, with a lively promenade along the seawall in season. Watersports enthusiasts will find sand yachting, kitesurf schools and stunt-kite buggying here, in keeping with the spots at Fort-Mahon and Berck. Horse-and-carriage rides along the beach remain a postcard image of the resort, much loved by children.

Golf and the state forest

Le Touquet has two historic golf courses, La Mer and La Forêt, nestled between dunes and maritime pines — a benchmark for golfers in Hauts-de-France. The state forest, over 800 hectares of pines planted from 1855 onwards to stabilise the dunes, now offers miles of trails for walking, cycling or trail running, away from the bustle of the resort.

Covered market and foodie addresses

• The covered market, open all year round, renowned for its seafood and Picardy farm produce
• The brasseries around Place de l'Hermitage and Rue Saint-Jean for a lunch break
• The town centre's pâtisseries and chocolate shops, a well-established local tradition

For a full day out, plan the morning for the beach or golf, and the afternoon for the town centre and market. As a contrast, the Baie d'Authie and its seals, just 3 km from the cottage, offer a complete change of pace from the bustle of the resort — perfect for a stay balanced between wild nature and seaside buzz.