Travel guide Pas-De-Calais

Testimonies of the autonomy of the cities in front of the local lords, these big stone towers have become a symbol of the North. If you are a lover of architecture, you will take a real pleasure to admire the numerous belfries located in the area, in particular the magnificent belfry of Calais, the one of Dunkerque or the one of Gravelines.

The most famous carnival on the Opal Coast is of course the one in Dunkirk! It has its roots in the festive evenings that marked the eve of the departure of the fishermen at sea. It takes place every year around Mardi Gras and lasts several months. Don't miss the herring toss and remember to learn the songs before you come!

The Deux Caps site has been labelled a Grand Site de France since 2011. It stretches from Boulogne-sur-Mer to Calais along 23 kilometres of coastline. Among the remarkable sites to see, the famous Cap Blanc-Nez and its white cliffs, as well as the Cap Gris-Nez named for its greyer coasts. It is a magnificent spot for bird watching.

GR as in sentier de Grande Randonnée. The GR120, also called Sentier du Littoral, allows you to walk along the coast from the Belgian coast to Berck-sur-Mer on 175 kilometers. Between dunes, cliffs, pine forests, fishing villages (Audresselles, Wissant...), the landscapes are exceptional and unique. Be careful, it often goes up and down!

Herring is as famous as it is celebrated on the Opal Coast! Traditionally launched at Carnival time, it is also particularly celebrated in November, the month in which it flees the Gulf Stream to arrive on our shores. It is then celebrated in many ports: Calais, Berck-sur-Mer and above all Étaples with the King Herring Festival.

Henson, like the Henson horse from the Baie de Somme. This breed of horse was created and bred in the Baie de Somme in the 1970s. Today, it is an emblematic breed of this bay and of the Parc du Marquenterre, recognized for its qualities as a trail horse. He's as beautiful as he is majestic: you're going to love him.

If you see people "walking" in the water along the coast, don't be surprised! Created in the early 2000's, this activity consists in walking along the coastline with water up to your waist with or without a paddle. Today the craze is such that there are officially marked water walking trails.

The tides give rhythm to the days on the Opal Coast, and change the landscapes as the days go by. Some sites appear totally different depending on whether the tide is high or low, such as the two capes. Each year, the high tides also attract many tourists who come to admire them, but be careful!

Also known as the miracle of Dunkirk, Operation Dynamo resulted in the evacuation of nearly 340,000 men. For several days, the battle raged on land and sea, allowing the evacuation of the men while resisting the enemies' assaults. Today, this episode remains anchored in our history, inspiring books and films.

It has become the star of the Bay of the Somme, but should be admired from a distance and preferably with binoculars. As cute as it is, the seal remains a wild animal, which you should not try to approach within 300 m (and even less to touch). At low tide, they can be seen basking on the sandbanks in various places.

Punctuated by numerous fishing villages, the Opal Coast also has two major ports: the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer and the port of Dunkirk. The port of Boulogne-sur-Mer is the first French fishing port, it is the ideal place to get fresh fish and to treat yourself in one of the many fish restaurants.

Waterzoï or "boiling water" in Dutch! This Flemish recipe originated in Belgium, but has since been exported to northern France, where it has become one of our traditional dishes. The dish consists of a simmered soup of fish or chicken with vegetables, the broth of which is blended with crème fraîche and egg yolk.