Proudly facing the English coasts, the Pas-de-Calais department and its elegant seaside resorts are an ideal resort for restful holidays. With its long beaches scattered along the Opal Coast, the Pas-de-Calais is certainly a place for relaxation, but also for discovery and sporting activities.
Long, long... It is that they are immense, the white beaches of the Opal Coast. And that it is fine, this sand where the shells swarm. From Bray-Dunes to Berk-sur-Mer, in all, more than 120 kilometres of beaches, dunes and cliffs follow one another without being alike. Among the most famous seaside resorts is Le Touquet-Paris-Plage : enjoying the presence of the sea and the green maritime pine forest well known by holiday enthusiasts on the French coasts, Le Touquet is a resort where it is good to live at every time of the year. This chic resort is also home to a thalassotherapy centre that is highly prized by curists for its fitness and well-being activities. The magnificent Anglo-Norman and Art-deco style villas that shape its streets give it an elegant and almost outdated charm, but still very endearing. City of the Sea and City of Art and History, Boulogne-sur-Mer, its ramparts, its basilica and its belfry are among the most beautiful sites of the Pas-de-Calais. Stroll through the fishing ports of its lower town and family, and do not miss "Nausicaà", the city's famous aquarium, where young and old can discover hundreds of species of fish and other marine animals. Benefiting from its proximity to England, Calais is the leading passenger port in France. Its belfry culminating at 75 meters in front of the English Channel, its church Notre-Dame marked by the influence of the Tudor and its tower of the Watch are worth the detour. During your visit in this city, you will also have the opportunity to see the famous monument of the Bourgeois of Calais, bronze sculpture made by Rodin. We advise you to climb the 271 steps of the Calais lighthouse to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the coast. In addition to its architectural heritage, the city has a strong cultural influence : rich of many museums (such as the Museum of Memory 39-45 and the Museum of Fine Arts), Calais is known throughout the world for its precious lace that you can observe within the City of Lace and Fashion. About fifteen kilometres from Le Touquet is the very popular commune of Berck-sur-Mer. A recognised seaside resort and thalassotherapy centre, it is one of the most important tourist centres in the Pas-de-Calais. Its dunes, fine sandy beaches and cultural events such as the Easter kite contest attract many curious people. Wimereux and its beautiful colourful villas by the sea are also worth a look : ideal destination for family holidays, its long dike calls for strolling and calm. Don't miss Arras, its UNESCO World Heritage sites and monuments, the charming Béthune and its beautiful architectural heritage as well as Lens and its Louvre-Lens museum, a must in the region.
For a perfect discovery of the department, you will have to venture into its hinterland. The Parc Naturel Régional des Caps et Marais d'Opale conceals superb landscapes, between hills, marshes, canals, bocages and wild sites. Between land and sea, it is an ideal place for hiking : with multiple marked routes, this park is very appreciated by hikers. Saint-Omer, its cathedral and its quays are also an ideal starting point for anyone wishing to discover the Audomarois marsh by boat, on foot or by bicycle.
During your stay, enjoy lively walks by the sea and long afternoons swimming in the refreshing waters of the English Channel. Immense, sublime, changing with the tides, the beaches of Pas-de-Calais are a privileged playground for water sports lovers. Windsurfing, hiking in the water, boat trips, kitesurfing, longe-côte, canoe-kayak, windsurfing, speed-sail and kite, the range of activities is immense and you won't know where to start !
Finally you will not be able to visit the Pas-de-Calais without enjoying its seafood-oriented gastronomy. In addition to the traditional mussels and chips on the beach, you can taste delicious mackerel in white wine, rollmops, a welsh gratiné and chicory, a Berckoise caudière or a tasty Flemish carbonade accompanied by chips and a beer : the perfect combo !
