Pas-de-Calais · seaside resorts
Pas-de-Calais seaside holiday rental: which resort to choose?
Every resort along the Pas-de-Calais coast has its own character, so it pays to know the differences before you book. Here is a quick comparison, and why we suggest Le Touquet, with two self-catering flats 300 m from the beach.
From €140 per night · + €50 cleaning and linen fee
Book direct and enjoy
- Best price: cheaper than on Airbnb
- Free early check-in
- Free late check-out
Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability.
★★★★★ 4.7/5 on Google · 4.81/5 on Airbnb
The Pas-de-Calais seaside resorts at a glance
The Pas-de-Calais département faces the Channel along the whole Opal Coast, from the capes down to the Authie estuary; further north, the Nord département looks out on the North Sea, with Malo-les-Bains and Bray-Dunes. On the Pas-de-Calais side, each of the main resorts has a distinct feel:
| Resort | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wissant | Village between Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez, wide natural beach | Walkers, wind and water sports |
| Wimereux | Promenade lined with Belle Époque villas, close to Boulogne | Architecture and clifftop walks |
| Hardelot | Leafy residential resort among the pines, golf, château | Golfers, quiet breaks |
| Le Touquet-Paris-Plage | Seaside town in a forest, lively shopping centre all year | Families, couples, groups, car-free stays |
| Stella-Plage and Merlimont | Small, low-key family resorts | Families wanting simplicity |
| Berck-sur-Mer | Huge beach, seals in the Authie bay, kite festival | Families, wildlife watching |
None is simply "better" than the others; it depends on what you are after. We have compared one of them in detail in Wimereux or Le Touquet.
Why Le Touquet for a seaside stay
- Everything on foot. Beach, promenade, rue Saint-Jean, the covered market and the forest are all a few minutes apart. You arrive by car, then forget about it.
- Open out of season. Shops, restaurants and markets run all year, so an October or March weekend never feels like a closed-up resort.
- Something for everyone. Sand yachting, riding, golf, cycling in the forest, walks along the Canche estuary: even a wet or windy day fills up easily (see our activity ideas).
- A central position. Berck is about 25 minutes away, Hardelot 30, Boulogne and Wimereux 35 to 40: you can see the other resorts without moving base.
Getting there from the cities of Hauts-de-France
For most people in the region, Le Touquet is two hours or less away. The main road is the A16 motorway, exit 26 "Étaples / Le Touquet". By rail, the station to aim for is Étaples-Le Touquet, a few kilometres from the town centre.
| From | By car | By train to Étaples |
|---|---|---|
| Lille | about 180 km, 2 hrs | a few direct regional trains (about 1 hr 15), otherwise about 2 hrs with a change |
| Amiens | about 110 km, 1 hr 15 to 1 hr 30 | direct regional trains, about 1 hr |
| Arras | about 100 km, 1 hr 30 | with a change, depending on the timetable |
| Lens | about 140 km, 1 hr 45 | with a change |
| Dunkirk | about 100 km, 1 hr 15 via the A16 | with a change |
| Calais | about 70 km, 1 hr via the A16 | via Boulogne-sur-Mer |
Times are a guide, without traffic; Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons are the busiest. All the practical details are in our guide to getting to Le Touquet.
Our two flats at Villa Mon Étoile
Hélios and Cassiopée are in a 1920s Art Deco villa on rue d'Étaples, about 300 m from the beach and 200 m from rue Saint-Jean. Each is 55 m² with two bedrooms for 4 guests plus a baby, an equipped kitchen, washing machine, fibre wifi and a terrace with barbecue. Together they sleep 8. Prices start at €140 a night with a 2-night minimum, plus a €50 cleaning and linen fee; live availability is on our booking page.
Charles's tip: coming from Lille or Arras, set off early on Saturday rather than on Friday evening. You will be in time for the market, and the drive home is often easier late on Sunday morning than late in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nicest seaside resort in the Pas-de-Calais?
Each has its strengths: Wimereux for its Belle Époque villas, Wissant for its beach between the capes, Hardelot for golf, Berck for seals. Le Touquet stands out for its forest, a town centre that is lively all year and the fact that everything is on foot.
Where can I rent by the sea in Nord-Pas-de-Calais?
Along the Opal Coast, between the capes and the Authie bay, or on the Nord coast near Dunkirk. In Le Touquet, our two flats are 300 m from the beach.
How long does it take from Lille to Le Touquet?
About 2 hours by car for 180 km. By train, allow about 1 hr 15 on a direct regional train to Étaples, or about 2 hours with a change.
Can I get to Le Touquet by train from Amiens?
Yes, direct regional trains run from Amiens to Étaples-Le Touquet in just over an hour. The station is a few kilometres from the centre, reachable by bus, taxi or bike.
Book your seaside stay
Book direct: 2-night minimum, sheets and towels provided, keys on site.
