A weekend break by the sea in Northern France, in Le Touquet

A short hop from the Channel crossings

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is one of the easiest Opal Coast resorts to reach for a weekend from the UK: from the Eurotunnel terminal or the ferry port at Calais it is roughly an hour's drive down the A16. From Paris allow around 2 hours 45 minutes by car, and from Brussels between 2 hours 30 and 3 hours. Without a car, direct trains run from Paris-Nord to Étaples-Le Touquet station in just over two hours, followed by about fifteen minutes by bus or bike. Our page on getting to Le Touquet has the details.

Once you are here, everything is on foot: the beach is about 300 m from the villa and rue Saint-Jean, the main shopping street, is 200 m away.

Friday evening: an easy arrival

• The keys are on site, so there is no meeting to arrange: arrival times are flexible, depending on the booking schedule.
• Beds made up, with sheets and towels supplied as part of the cleaning and linen fee, so you can travel light.
• A fully equipped kitchen (oven, dishwasher, Nespresso) if you would rather eat in, or a restaurant on rue Saint-Jean a few steps away.
• A first stroll along the seafront promenade before bed: the sea is at the end of the road.

Saturday and Sunday at a glance

Saturday morning is market day in Le Touquet, a good chance to stock up for the weekend. After that, the long sandy beach, the promenade, a land-yachting session or a bike ride through the pine forest will easily fill the day, and in the evening the flat's terrace with barbecue takes over. On Sunday, walk along the Canche estuary or head inland for a few hours before driving back. Our hour-by-hour plan is in the guide to a weekend in Le Touquet.

When should you book a weekend by the sea?

Summer weekends, French bank holiday weekends in May and the resort's big events get booked up quickly, so reserve several weeks or even months ahead. Check our Le Touquet events calendar to see what is on during your dates. Out of season, the beach is quieter and rates are gentler: often the best time for a last-minute break, as long as you check availability a few days before.

What does a two-night weekend for four cost?

These are starting prices: the nightly rate changes with the season and your dates. The exact price appears on the booking page, with live availability. To understand what drives holiday rental prices in Le Touquet, see our price guide.

A whole flat rather than a room

For two nights as a group of four, each 55 m² apartment has two proper bedrooms (one 160 cm double and two singles), a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, fibre wifi and a terrace with barbecue. The children have their own room, the adults theirs, and breakfast happens whenever suits you. A baby can come too: high chair, travel cot and baby bath are already there.

Travelling as two families or a group of friends? Both apartments, Hélios and Cassiopée, can be booked together for up to 8 guests in 4 bedrooms.

Charles's tip: for a two-night break, set off on Friday afternoon rather than Saturday morning. You gain an evening by the sea, and Saturday starts straight away on the beach.