The Opal Coast gathers at the same time immense beaches convenient to the bathe and the nautical activities, places of holiday prized with the elegant villas Belle Époque of Wimereux and Hardelot, sites charged with History like the fortified city of Boulogne-sur-Mer, its basilica and its crypt, the largest in France, or the Column of the Grande Armée erected to the glory of Napoleon, and of course the aquarium Nausicaá which remains the most visited site in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
Farniente, Indian summer and water sports
A string of charming beach cabins, ice cream vendors, tempting "mussels and French fries" menus... Welcome to the long dike along the long beach of Wimereux where it is so pleasant to stroll! In the evening, the atmosphere changes and the passers-by cross paths with joggers and tourists
Equihen-Plage and Le Portel have fine sandy beaches as far as the eye can see at low tide and offer beautiful infrastructures to fully enjoy the aquatic pleasures. Nautical clubs compete for the coastline and generally remain open all year round to offer sand yachting, kitesurfing, sea kayaking, catamarans or sailing boats. The iodized air is combined here with authenticity, as evidenced by the famous flobarts that were used by fishermen until the 90s and which now adorn the roundabouts of coastal towns. These traditional boats, pointed at the stern and square at the bow for better stability at sea, are now part of the folklore. They are launched during traditional festivals and are accompanied by sea songs and tasting of local products! The Herring Festival (end of November in Boulogne-sur-Mer) is always a great success
A destination between land and sea
Fishing is the main activity of Boulogne-sur-Mer, the first port in France and the European leader in seafood processing. On the quai Gambetta, the Sunday fish market remains a must with some seventy species of fresh fish at unbeatable prices! It is no coincidence that the city is home to Nausicaà, the National Sea Center, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The stars are penguins, caimans, sharks, but also clown fish and rays that can be touched thanks to a touch tank! In all, more than a thousand species spread over fifty aquariums, with educational messages about biodiversity and environmental protection
For hiking enthusiasts, head for the Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez sites, which offer exceptional views of the English coastline just a few miles away. Another favorite is the Baie Saint-Jean trail in Wimereux. You will enjoy a landscape between sky and earth, with views of the bocage and the sea
A region full of history
If the Opal Coast is prized for its beaches, its proximity to the English coast, only 30 km away, has made it a very coveted place militarily! It was under Napoleon that this rivalry reached its peak with a new coalition launched by England in 1803 against the Emperor's expansionist policy. Napoleon retaliated by installing more than 180,000 men on the cliffs of Boulogne and by building forts: those of Alprech, Heurt and Terlincthun (the current Fort de la Crèche in Wimereux) are still visible. The presence of all these soldiers was to upset the town of Boulogne, which until then had only 8,000 inhabitants: the civil and religious buildings were transformed into arsenals and the private mansions were requisitioned to house the staff. The civil and military court sat in the present-day city hall, and Napoleon and Marie-Louise resided in the imperial palace on the present-day Place Godefroy-de-Bouillon. This period will also be marked by the gigantic ceremony of awarding the Legion of Honor which gathered 2,000 soldiers and civilians in 1804. A stele commemorates this great movement of popular jubilation. Also to be seen in Wimille is the column of the Grande Armée: with 53 m, it is the highest in France. Napoleon ostensibly turned his back on England.
The castle of Hardelot retraces well the tumultuous relations maintained with England, from William the Conqueror until the Entente Cordiale in 1904. Built in the middle of the Condette marshes, this white neo-Tudor style castle, worthy of a fairy tale, hosts today original festivities and a cross-border program such as the Midsummer Festival, which welcomes great lyrical artists in the summer, or the Fairy Night of Halloween, where one can taste hot chocolate in the cellars
In Boulogne-sur-Mer, the largest crypt in France
If the people of Boulogne are proud of their maritime ties, they also appreciate their ramparts which have earned them the label of "City of Art and History". Built at the beginning of the 13th century on the remains of the Gallo-Roman wall, they allow a very pleasant stroll over 1.5 km. You can take the opportunity to visit the museum installed in an imposing castle, which contains many treasures from Egypt, Oceania or Alaska, but also elements to decipher the local history. The 12th century belfry, listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, offers every half hour the tinkling of bells so familiar to the inhabitants (it can be visited free of charge in the summer and offers a breathtaking view of the city). Still on the heights, you will find the Basilica, erected in the 19th century by the abbot Haffreingue and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Inspired by the Pantheon, it has dimensions that make you dizzy: its dome reaches 101 m! Six frescoes painted by Charles Soulacroix illustrate the life of the Virgin, a feat when you know that the painter-sculptor was almost blind! We also find, on 1 400 m² in a maze of rooms and underground galleries, the largest crypt in France. One finds there murals, Romanesque and Gothic rooms, as well as Roman barracks which would date from the antique camp of the IInd century. A treasure of sacred art and a lapidary collection are also exposed there
To recover from your visits and to eat, the pedestrian street of the Puits d'Amour, which starts at the town hall, offers several gourmet stops, from simple mussels and French fries to more elaborate dishes, based on fish of course!
Useful information
When is it open? In summer for the beaches. During the popular festivals: in June the Fête de la Gainée, in August the Summer Carnival and the Great Procession in honor of the Virgin Mary who appeared in the port in 688, in September the Fête de la Beurière, and in November the Fête du Hareng
How to get there. By car, Boulogne-sur-Mer is located 250 km north of Paris (3 hours drive on the A 1 and then the A 16). By train, stops at Boulogne-ville, Boulogne-Tintellerie, Wimille-Wimereux and Hesdigneul-les-Boulogne. By the Channel Tunnel, stop at Coquelles
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