Discovery Road Trip: Opal Coast and Bay of Somme | VAN-AWAY, give yourself the freedom to roam

About this road trip

590 km

Short (2 to 4 days)

Nord

This 5-day itinerary departing from our Lille Hauts-de-France rental agency will immerse you in the heart of two of France’s officially labeled major sites: protected areas of exceptional heritage…

This prestigious label is, as you’ll see, a guarantee of stunning landscapes that will offer you five enchanting days, from Nord-Pas-de-Calais to the Somme, behind the wheel of your camper van!

A true favorite from our blog, for a complete change of scenery…

View the itinerary

Day 1: From Cap Blanc Nez to Cap Gris Nez!

When you arrive in the small village of Escalles to climb up to Cap Blanc Nez or the village of Gris Nez (and the Cape of the same name), you’ll be struck by the immensity and beauty of the place. Cliffs over 100 meters high, beaches as far as the eye can see, and on clear days, the two capes even offer a panoramic view of the English coastline!

There are numerous walks to plan from the typical villages of the Opal Coast and along the hiking trails that crisscross the cliffs.

A little further away, Wimereux is a seaside resort with a beautiful seafront, featuring a large seawall and houses and buildings with architecture dating from the “Belle Époque” (late 19th, early 20th century). Typically English in style, it will charm you with its large beach where you can practice PADDLE SURFING, LONGE CÔTE (This activity simply consists of walking in the water with a paddle, with the tide currents doing the rest), or even KITE SURFING and PARAGLIDING, and wonderful horseback rides with spectacular sunsets as a bonus.

Golfers will also appreciate a green with a “sea view”.

Further south, discover the village of Audresselles, which is what a coastal village must have been like 100 years ago. With its small fishermen’s houses and white longhouses adorned with colored bands at the base of the walls, this small fishing village has preserved its characteristic architecture while maintaining its wild and natural character.

The Lobster and Crab from Audresselles will delight the most gourmand!

Where to sleep:

In Escalles, at the foot of Cap Blanc Nez in the parking area! (20M from the beach)
North of Wimereux in the Pré Wibert parking area, facing the harbor of Boulogne Sur Mer

Not to be missed: the majestic Fort d’Ambleureuse (built in the 17th century by Vauban under the orders of Louis XIV) which still watches over the beach as well as the bay of Slack, with its distinctive flora.

At high tide, the Fort is surrounded by the sea, and on stormy days it is literally besieged and attacked by powerful waves that explode on its sides in impressive sprays of foam.

Equally bucolic, the wild dunes open up to you for lunar walks, cut off from civilization, in the natural park of “caps et marais d’opale” (Opal Capes and Marshes).

Day 2: Le Touquet Paris Plage – Hardelot

From the 1930s that shaped its identity, the resort of Touquet-Paris-Plage has maintained all its elegance and a certain taste for the art of living. Besides shopping in Le Touquet, you can enjoy all kinds of activities for young and old: traditional carousel with wooden horses, Aqualud (water activities park for children), 6 beach clubs, rental of Rosalie (multi-passenger bikes) and Segway/Gyropods to explore the town.

The seaside resort is labeled “Family Plus”, so families are given a privileged welcome.

The great thing about Touquet Paris Plage is that you can enjoy a lunch on the sand at any time of the year. And in summer, many activities are organized: sandcastle competitions, land sailing races, polo tournaments, Wakepark.

A short distance from Le Touquet, you can also visit the village of Hardelot, and Hardelot Neufchatel Castle. A symbol of the Entente Cordiale before 1914, this completely restored castle is open to visitors.
It’s the venue for many cultural events throughout the year!

Day 3: Montreuil sur Mer

Montreuil-sur-Mer is a fortified town, located about ten kilometers inland. It was notably made famous by Victor Hugo‘s novel: Les Misérables. This small town is indeed one of the places that served as a context for this story!
Don’t be misled though, it’s pointless to look for the sea in Montreuil-sur-Mer, because there isn’t any… This name comes from the fact that several centuries ago, the Canche River, which passes by Montreuil-sur-Mer, was much wider than it is today. It thus allowed ships to pass, making Montreuil a river port at that time!
Another peculiarity of Montreuil is its fortified aspect: this small town is indeed surrounded by ramparts. You can walk along them as they are perfectly preserved. They go almost all the way around the town (about 3km in total).
Montreuil sur Mer is also a destination to be savored. It’s a well-kept secret of the locals. A mystery revealed to the many tourists who come to discover our territory. But today, the secret has spread: Montreuil-sur-Mer is said to embody a certain vision of happiness…
Exciting history, idyllic landscapes, hiking trails, and sensational gastronomy have overcome the tranquility of the destination, so much so that the media have seized upon the phenomenon. And the pleasures of the table are an integral part of local well-being. This town of over two thousand inhabitants amazes with its extraordinary potential: cheese shop, restaurants, bakeries, chocolatiers, butchers, caterers, greengrocers… Gourmet delights await you in Montreuil; and whatever your budget, you’ll eat well.

To get closer to the penultimate stage of this circuit on the Opal Coast, we recommend this superb 4-star Camping Les Aubépines in Le Crotoy for your overnight stay. You can benefit from your 10% discount upon presentation of the Flower Camping card contained in the glove compartment of your vehicle.

Day 4: Saint Valery Sur Somme

The Bay of Somme is reputed to be one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It is the largest estuary in France, and this wetland is home to a wonderful variety of birds as well as colonies of seals.

For nature lovers, the Bay of Somme will fascinate you with the multiplicity of landscapes it contains. Dunes, mudflats, marshes, salt meadows, pebble beaches, and gigantic cliffs follow one another in a small perimeter.
This richness is also reflected in the biodiversity, both in terms of fauna and flora.
Here, it’s the kingdom of birds that have long found in the different ecosystems of the bay havens of peace to rest during their migration or to nest away from prying eyes (or almost). Seals have also found a cozy home here. So much so that the largest colony of harbor seals in France is found in the Bay of Somme.

To visit, to do:

The Marquenterre Bird Sanctuary
Tour the Bay of SOMME on a steam train
Observe seals on foot or by kayak
Taste salt marsh lamb with samphire

Day 5: Varengeville

Nestled above the sea, Varengeville-sur-Mer is an astonishing place where nature is generous.
Located a few kilometers from Dieppe, on the Alabaster Coast, Varengeville is a village full of treasures. Between countryside and sea, the landscape is unexpected. Here, trees, plants, and flowers flourish. A feast for the eyes! The Bois des Moutiers Park, one of the three most visited gardens in France, houses an important collection of giant rhododendrons… The Shamrock garden is home to the largest collection of Hydrangeas in the world.
Literature, music, painting, the list of artists who came to find inspiration in this village is long… André Breton, who wrote the first two parts of Nadja, and Louis Aragon met at the Manoir d’ANGO in 1927. Prévert and Proust were also seduced. The musicians Ravel and Satie also found their inspiration here. But Varengeville-sur-Mer has especially attracted painters including Turner, Whistler, Corot, Renoir. Claude Monet made the Saint-Valéry church known worldwide thanks to an impressive series of paintings. Miró, dazzled by the starry nights, painted several works in the “Constellations” series here.
The charming asset is undoubtedly its church and marine cemetery. At the top of the cliff, this place offers a breathtaking view of the Bay of Dieppe. Emblematic and unusual, the marine cemetery welcomes visitors from all over the world. Inside the church, the stained glass window by Georges Braque is accessible to all. Symbolizing the Tree of Jesse, it is one of the most beautiful treasures of Varengeville.

Roadtrip Normandy Bay of Somme Varengeville Sur Mer

Where to sleep: In Sotteville sur mer, follow the direction “La mer” (The sea). Parking area or, take advantage of our partnership with Flower campings to spend the night at Camping Vitamin and relax in its heated indoor swimming pool!