Bay of Somme accommodation: stay in Le Touquet and explore three bays

To be clear: the villa is in Le Touquet

Villa Mon Étoile is in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, in the Pas-de-Calais, on the south bank of the Canche estuary. It is not in the Authie bay or the Bay of Somme. If you want to wake up looking out over the salt marshes at Le Crotoy, a rental there makes more sense. If you would like to see all three bays in one stay, with a beach, shops and restaurants within walking distance in the evening, Le Touquet is a good compromise.

How long does it take to reach each bay?

Times are a guide only and do not allow for summer weekend traffic.

The Canche bay, at the end of the road

North of Le Touquet beach, the dunes end at the Canche estuary. At low tide the water draws back to reveal wide sandbanks where boats sit on the sand. Across the water, on the Étaples side, the Baie de Canche national nature reserve protects dunes and mudflats, a stopover for many migrating birds in spring and autumn: oystercatchers, curlews and, depending on the season, spoonbills.

The Authie bay, for the seals

The Authie marks the border between the Pas-de-Calais and the Somme, with Berck to the north and Fort-Mahon to the south. Seals can be seen resting on the sandbanks at low tide, from the shore and through binoculars. They are a protected species, so keep your distance and follow the signs on site.

The Bay of Somme, for a full day out

Further south, the Bay of Somme stretches between Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme: harbour and quayside walks, seals visible especially around the Pointe du Hourdel, birdlife at the Parc du Marquenterre, and the Baie de Somme steam railway linking Le Crotoy, Saint-Valery and Cayeux. Walks across the bay must be done with a guide, as the tide comes in very fast.

Three day-trip ideas

1. Half a day at the Authie: drive to Berck, stroll along the seafront and watch the seals at low tide, back in Le Touquet for tea.
2. A day in the Bay of Somme: morning in Le Crotoy, steam train or drive to Saint-Valery, lunch there and a wander round the old upper town.
3. A nature day: Parc du Marquenterre in the morning, a picnic, then Fort-Mahon beach on the way back to Le Touquet.

More ideas in our guide to things to do around Le Touquet.

Your base in Le Touquet

• Two 55 m² apartments, each with 2 bedrooms, for 4 guests and a baby, or 8 if you book both.
• The beach about 300 m away and rue Saint-Jean 200 m away for car-free evenings.
• A fully equipped kitchen for packing picnics, and a washing machine for sandy clothes and wellies.
• From €140 a night, 2 nights minimum, plus a €50 cleaning and linen fee: prices and availability on the booking page.

Charles's tip: check the tide times before you set off. Seals are easiest to spot at low tide, when the sandbanks are uncovered, so plan your trip around that rather than around lunch.