Horse riding in Le Touquet: rides, lessons and major show-jumping events

For horse riding in Le Touquet, the place to go is the Parc équestre du Touquet, the town-run equestrian centre on the edge of the baie de Canche. Beginners, children and experienced riders will find lessons, courses and rides through the forest, the dunes and along the beach. It is also one of the major show-jumping venues in northern France.

Le Touquet's Equestrian Park, the main address

Set between the forest and the Canche estuary for nearly 40 years, the Equestrian Park has everything you need to ride whatever the weather: indoor arenas, outdoor arenas, a lunging ring, plenty of stables, competition grounds, and the Canche racecourse right next door. The main arena was resurfaced with fibre sand in 2023 and the warm-up paddock enlarged to 6,000 m² in 2026.

• Address: 425 avenue de la Dune-aux-Loups, 62520 Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.
• Booking: by phone or email with the centre's reception (contact details on the tourist office page).
• Labels: Famille Plus and Tourisme & Handicap, with sessions adapted for people with reduced mobility.

From the town centre, allow about 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by bike: the park lies to the east of the resort, between the forest and the baie de Canche.

Horse rides: forest, dunes and beach

This is the activity holidaymakers ask for most. The Equestrian Park offers guided rides on two main routes: a “dunes and beach” route, which reaches the sand at low tide, and a forest route through Le Touquet's pine woods. More experienced riders can also set off on longer treks along the Côte d'Opale, up to multi-day trail rides on Henson horses, the breed from the baie de Somme.

Good to know before booking a ride:

• Galloping on the beach depends on the tide: ride times are set according to the tidal coefficient and the time of low water, so it's worth calling a few days ahead.
• A minimum level is required for rides outside the centre; complete beginners will start with a taster session within the club.
• The tourist office provides downloadable bridleway routes for riders bringing their own horse.
• Wear long trousers, closed shoes with a small heel and a windproof layer: by the sea, it soon gets chilly on horseback.

With children: ponies, lessons and courses

The park is very family-oriented. The youngest can enjoy a led pony ride, offered at weekends out of season and every day in July-August (no pony rides when it rains). As children get a little older, the choice widens:

To plan the rest of a holiday with children, see our article Le Touquet with the family.

Charles's tip: if you're coming in July or August, call the Equestrian Park as soon as you book your stay to secure courses or the beach ride. And for little ones, the Saturday-afternoon pony ride is a good way to test their enthusiasm before paying for a course.

First time on a horse: what to expect

Never ridden before? The Equestrian Park offers taster sessions that start on foot: getting to know the animal, grooming, preparing the saddle and bridle, then mounting in the arena or in a secure outdoor area of the club. This gradual approach reassures adults as much as children, and lets the instructor judge whether a ride outside is possible at a later session.

A few pointers for choosing when to go:

• Spring and autumn: soft ground, a quiet beach, pleasant riding temperatures; the best time for a ride on the sand.
• Summer: more on offer (ponies every day, courses), but also more people; book early and go for morning slots.
• Winter: the indoor arenas mean you can keep riding, and rides in the forest have a very different feel.

As for equipment, ask when booking whether riding hats (helmets) are lent or whether you need to bring your own. Thin gloves and soft trousers without thick inner-leg seams make the session more comfortable.

Major equestrian events

The Equestrian Park hosts more than 50 days of competition a year, from club level to international, and entry is free for spectators: a spectacular free outing, even for those who don't ride.

The Touquet Classic, every year in May

The highlight of the season, this international show-jumping competition (CSI 3*) brings together several hundred horses over four days, with riders from around twenty nations, including members of the world top 100. The usual programme includes a Grand Prix on the Sunday, a derby with natural obstacles, a “Jump & Drive” event combining horse and car, and activities for children. Exact dates are published in spring on the tourist office website.

Racing at the racecourse

The Canche racecourse, next to the park, holds a few race meetings in summer. The tradition goes back a long way: Le Touquet's first racecourse opened in 1904, and the current racecourse was inaugurated in 1925. Check the calendar of Le Touquet's main events to plan your stay.

Riding elsewhere around Le Touquet

If you're exploring the Côte d'Opale, other landscapes lend themselves to riding. The baie d'Authie, south of Berck, and the baie de Somme are home to the Henson, a small, hardy and calm horse, ideal for trekking; several centres offer rides across the salt meadows and along the beaches. To the north, the countryside behind Boulogne has hillier country lanes. Before setting off, always check that the centre is affiliated to the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) and that the instructors are qualified.

For more day-trip ideas, see our guide to things to do around Le Touquet.

Planning a riding holiday

As the Equestrian Park is at the entrance to the resort, staying in the town centre means you can do everything on foot or by bike: Villa Mon Étoile, on rue d'Étaples, is just over a kilometre from the park. The two apartments together make up accommodation for 8 people, handy for a family of riders coming to watch a competition. The resort's other sports are covered in our guide to sport in Le Touquet.