Entre
deux valises
Entre
deux valises
Weekend in the Baie de Somme
The Baie de Somme had been on our list of destinations for a weekend getaway for quite some time. With its charming villages, vast unspoilt landscapes and abundant wildlife, it offers a wonderful mix of everything that makes the Picardy coast so special. From walking across the bay to exploring the wild dunes along the coast, here are the highlights of our weekend.
Walk across the Baie de Somme, from Le Crotoy to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
One of the highlights of a visit to the Baie de Somme is walking across the bay. We chose to walk from Le Crotoy to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme with Passion Baie de Somme, which runs guided crossings throughout the year. Dates and times are published several months in advance on their website. The classic crossing from Le Crotoy to Saint-Valery costs €16 per person.
The walk started at 9:30am from the locks in Le Crotoy, and we quickly headed into the heart of the bay. Throughout the crossing, our guide shared plenty of information about the local wildlife and vegetation, as well as how this unique ecosystem is shaped by the tides.
The crossing is not particularly difficult, although the ground can become slippery after periods of rain. Walking poles are provided if needed. The route took us across sand, mudflats and small streams, offering a constantly changing landscape and a chance to experience the different sides of the bay.
After around 6 kilometres and almost three hours of walking, punctuated by our guide’s explanations, we reached Saint-Valery-sur-Somme at around 12:15pm. The views of Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery along the way are one of the highlights of the crossing.
Explore Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is a medieval town known for its cobbled streets, ramparts, historic buildings and elegant houses, all reflecting its rich heritage. This map (only available in French) from the local tourist office highlights the main points of interest. This includes the Guillaume Towers, remnants of the former fortifications, the Porte de Nevers, Saint-Martin Church and the Marins’ Chapel, located on the hill above the town. As Saint-Valery is built on a slope, the views change as we make our way up and down its streets.
We stopped for lunch at Le Jardin Italien, a pleasant restaurant serving a varied Italian menu as well as excellent homemade cocktails.
Good to know:
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Saint-Valery is more spread out than it first appears, with almost 3 kilometres between its eastern and western ends. If you would rather avoid a long walk, exploring the town by bike could be a good alternative.
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A number of water-based activities are available from Saint-Valery, including kayaking and canoe trips, which offer the chance to get close to the seals living in the bay.
Ride the historic Baie de Somme railway
The Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme brings the region’s historic railway lines back to life with several routes operated by heritage trains. Passengers travel in restored Belle Époque carriages hauled by steam locomotives. The tourist railway has been operated by an association since 1970, following efforts to preserve the region’s former railway lines. Today, it offers both a glimpse into the area’s railway heritage and an original way to explore the region.
Depending on the route, the train passes through typical Baie de Somme landscapes, including salt marshes, open countryside and villages. It also serves Noyelles-sur-Mer station, which is connected to Paris, making it a convenient option for exploring the Baie de Somme without a car.
We chose the route between Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Le Crotoy, which takes around an hour and costs €15 per person.
Good to know: we combined the first three stops of our weekend in the Baie de Somme into a single day. We left our car in Le Crotoy, walked across the bay to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, then took the train back to Le Crotoy.
Watch the sunset from the dunes
North of Le Crotoy, the trail "Les Crocs" leads to a vast sandy beach surrounded by dunes, making it a particularly lovely spot for watching the sunset. From the car park, it is around 3.2 km to the beach. The route is relatively flat, but much of it is through sand, so the walk takes a little longer than we might expect. The area is particularly well preserved. The trail passes through a pine forest planted in the 1950s to help stabilise the dunes before reaching the beach, with birdsong along the way. Once we reached the beach, we had the place entirely to ourselves and enjoyed the sunset from the top of a dune in complete peace and quiet. If you plan to walk back after dark, make sure to bring a headlamp.
For a longer hike, you can do the full 16-kilometre Crocs loop, which follows the coast for much of the way and will take you through a variety of landscapes.
Good to know: the Pointe du Hourdel and Le Crotoy beach are also popular spots for watching the sunset in the bay.
Birdwatch at Parc du Marquenterre
Located within the Baie de Somme nature reserve, Parc du Marquenterre is known as one of the best places in France for birdwatching. Visitors can explore the park independently (€12 per person) or join a guided tour. Several trails are available; we followed the 6-kilometre route, which features around ten observation hides where you can watch the wildlife without disturbing it. Guides are also stationed at several hides to help visitors spot different species and answer questions. During the peak season, the park proposes a wide range of activities, including twilight walks, that offer a different way to experience the reserve. Unfortunately, none were scheduled during our visit.
We really enjoyed the visit, although it does require a little patience. The birds are often quite far away, so you need to take your time and observe carefully to get the most out of the experience.
Good to know: we recommend booking your ticket online to avoid queuing at the entrance.
Discover the seaside towns along the coast
The Picardy coast is home to several seaside towns, including Cayeux-sur-Mer and Mers-les-Bains. Cayeux-sur-Mer is particularly known for its impressive row of beach huts lining the seafront. Further south, Mers-les-Bains stands out for its colourful Belle Époque villas. At the end of the 19th century, the development of the railway made it easier for Parisian upper-class families to reach the coast. Many wealthy families subsequently built holiday homes there. The balconies, bow windows, decorative ceramics and wrought ironwork are still visible today.
Further south, the pebble beaches gradually give way to chalk cliffs. Walks along the clifftops offer beautiful views of the coast.
Stay at Manoir la Belle Époque
To finish our weekend, we stayed at Manoir la Belle Époque, a manor house built in 1926. With its elegant interiors, historic character and heated swimming pool, it was a lovely place to unwind after a busy few days. Its location also makes it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area, including Mers-les-Bains and Cayeux-sur-Mer.
During our stay, we had dinner at Chez Virgile in Ault, a simple and welcoming restaurant serving delicious food. Its terrace offers beautiful views of the sea and cliffs, making it the perfect spot to enjoy one last sunset before leaving the Baie de Somme.
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