A beginner's guide to the Côte d’Opale, France

The northern counterpart to the renowned Côte d’Azur, this breathtaking stretch of coast has everything you could wish for.

This region is characterized by vintage elegance, stunning natural landscapes, and an abundance of glorious golden sandy beaches. French painter Édouard Lévêque was so inspired by the coastline's shimmering light and ever-shifting color palette that he dubbed it the “Côte d’Opale” (Opal Coast) in 1911—a name that has endured.

Being in le Nord (the north), the unpredictable weather can shape visitors' experiences—especially of the vivid array of greens, grays, sea blues, and soft pinks that stretch over 120 km (75 miles), from the Belgian border to the Baie de Somme. On sunny days, the views of dazzling white chalk cliffs, rolling dunes, lush pine forests, and endless sandy shores are nothing short of golden. Unlike the Mediterranean, the rhythm of the tides on the windswept Côte d’Opale adds to its cinematic allure. (Pick up a tide timetable at the local tourist office to stay informed.)

Whether hiking or biking from cliff to cliff, building sandcastles on beaches cherished by British holidaymakers since the Victorian era, enjoying the fragrant pines in forest retreats, or exploring the WWII history marked by remnants of the Atlantic Wall, the Côte d’Opale in the Hauts-de-France region caters to all ages, moods, and budgets. And let’s not forget the culinary delights: artisanal beer, classic French frites drizzled with brown vinegar, and a bounty of irresistible salt-kissed seafood. Bon appétit.

When is the best time to visit the Côte d’Opale?

For beach lovers, July and August are ideal—the warmest and busiest months. Between sun-soaked swims, water sports, beach games, and sandy picnics, few pleasures rival enjoying a paper-wrapped serving of double-fried frites on a bench or nestled between vintage beach huts overlooking the English Channel. A delicious frites snack also hits the spot after a thrilling session of windsurfing, kitesurfing, or char à voile (sand yachting) on the coast’s expansive beaches.

In popular seaside towns like Boulogne-sur-Mer and Le Touquet, the official beach season spans from Easter to mid-October. Following winter’s retreat, beach bars and iconic beach huts spring to life in early April. On Le Touquet’s Paris-Plage—beloved by affluent Parisians since the 1920s—lifeguards monitor designated swimming areas from late June through August. The town’s open-air markets thrive two to three times a week from April to September.

Accommodation prices decrease in October, April, and May, hitting rock-bottom during the winter months from November to March, when many coastal hotels and restaurants close for the season. The beaches and hiking trails become tranquil, revealing a hauntingly beautiful side of this coastline. For true food enthusiasts, November to May is the best time to enjoy the renowned fish markets in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Étaples, and Dunkirk, as it marks prime scallop season.

Spring (March to May) is the prime time for birdwatchers, as millions of migrating birds—such as bar-tailed godwits, gray plovers, and chaffinches—flock to the cliffs of Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez. In winter, pair merlin and woodcock watching with solitary strolls along the beautifully peaceful beaches.

How much time should I spend on the Côte d’Opale?

“Just a weekend” is hardly sufficient. Spend your first day discovering the dramatic twin capes of Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez. Use day two to explore stylish seaside resorts, vibrant street markets, chic boutiques, and delightful dining options, plus, of course, the beaches. Le Touquet caters to Parisians and aspirants, while Boulogne-sur-Mer and Berck-sur-Mer (don't forget your kite!) are family-friendly, and Neufchâtel-Hardelot invites water sports enthusiasts.

If (more like when) the rain arrives, visit one of Europe’s largest aquariums in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where you can marvel at California sea lions, South American caimans, and over 60,000 other fascinating sea creatures. You can also explore the remnants of defensive fortifications, artillery positions, and enormous concrete bunkers constructed by the Nazis during WWII; immersing yourself in this history deserves at least a full day.

If you have a few extra days, take time in Calais to ride its beautiful dragon along the newly renovated seafront, climb its lighthouse and town-hall belfry, and enjoy a refreshing coastal walk from Plage de Calais to Blériot-Plage and Plage de Wissant. Have an additional day? Experience char à voile—the signature sport of this windy region, where dry-land sailors race across sand flats in kart-like yachts on wheels. Budget around €45 for a two-hour introductory session with Les Drakkars on Hardelot-Plage, a 3 km (1.8-mile) beach located 16 km (10 miles) south of Boulogne-sur-Mer, featuring vintage candy-striped beach huts and a nearby château. Don’t forget to bring a light waterproof jacket, sneakers, and gloves.

Is it easy to travel to and around the Côte d’Opale?

The nearest airports are Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly, both connected by public transport to Paris’ Gare du Nord train station, where trains to Calais depart. Expect a two-hour journey on the high-speed TGV to Calais-Fréthun, the out-of-town TGV station linked to the city center by local bus or train (10 minutes, €2.50). Alternatively, you can take a regional TER train from Paris, which takes about three hours to reach Calais Ville station. From there, regular trains run along the coast to Boulogne-sur-Mer, Dunkirk, and Étaples–Le Touquet, located 6 km (3.8 miles) east of Le Touquet town.

Cross-Channel ferries from Dover, England, make the 35-minute journey to Calais’ ferry port in the city. For those traveling by car via the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, disembarkation occurs about 6.5 km (4 miles) southwest of Calais town center.

The towns and seaside resorts are compact, easily walkable, and very bike-friendly, with convenient rental options available. Numerous local buses operate along the northern Côte d'Opale, connecting Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer; you can check schedules, plan your route, and purchase tickets on Hauts-de-France’s Pass Pass platform. Further south, having your own car is the best way to enjoy scenic road trips along the coast.

Must-see activities on the Côte d’Opale

Dover’s iconic white cliffs on the Kentish coast are a symbol of England, and their French counterparts, formed between 160 and 70 million years ago across the Channel, are equally awe-inspiring. The towering white Cretaceous cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez (“White Nose Cape”), rising 134 m (440 ft) above the sea, and the older silvery gray Jurassic cliffs of Cap Gris-Nez (“Grey Nose Cape”), at 50 m (164 ft), are the highlights of the Côte d’Opale.

Park for free just past Sangatte on the D940, about a 15-minute drive southwest of Calais, and choose from various walking trails: spot seals on the sandy flats below and a flurry of birds above. Experienced hikers can tackle the GR120 trail that runs the full length of the coast (14 miles / 23 km) between the two capes; maps and trail information are available at the Maison du Site des Deux Caps in Audinghen.

Not a fan of walking? Climb to the top of Cap Gris-Nez’s 19th-century lighthouse, explore Vauban’s 17th-century Fort d’Ambleteuse (open weekends only from April to mid-November), or traverse the scrub-covered dunes on a mountain bike or e-bike. After your adventures, it’s time for lunch. Grab a cheese-filled picnic at Calais’ morning market or enjoy frites paired with a local 2 Caps beer at L’Abri Côtier in Audresselles. For a more indulgent experience, savor crab donuts, fish soup, a dozen oysters, or even lobster—complete with a breathtaking sea view—at family-run La Sirène, serving beachgoers at Plage du Cap Gris-Nez since 1967.

WWII artifacts, including a massive rail-mounted German artillery piece with a range of 86 km (53 miles), are showcased at the Musée de Mur de l’Atlantique, dramatically situated in a large German pillbox near the Maison du Site des Deux Caps tourist office. This museum is essential for WWII history enthusiasts, and you can also take a haunting walk around the enormous concrete bunker Blockhaus d’Éperlecques, built by the Nazis deep in a forest in 1943 as a launch site for V2 rockets aimed at England.

More WWII history can be found in Dunkirk (which translates to “church of the dunes”), a city that endured heavy bombing and was rebuilt post-war. Be sure to grab a cornet of fries prepared with care by the father-son team Malika and Julien at Chic Frite, a chip shop honored as France and Belgium’s meilleure friterie (best chip shop) in 2023.

For beach fashionistas searching for French style, the historic seaside town of Le Touquet is unbeatable, featuring an Eiffel Tower sculpture that overlooks its beloved beach and the glamorous 1920s casino (now a congress center) that inspired Ian Fleming’s fictional Royale-les-Eaux in his 007 novel Casino Royale. Explore boutiques along Rue St-Jean, savor shellfish and fresh produce at the historic Marché Couvert (covered market), and mingle among beach huts on Paris-Plage. In cooler weather, swap lazy beach days for bike rides through fragrant pine forests in Forêt du Touquet and along the scenic Voie Verte (greenway) of the Baie de Somme; Bike 4 You and La Baleine Royale offer rentals for all kinds of bikes.

What’s the budget for a trip to the Côte d’Opale?

The upscale Le Touquet is known for its high prices, comparable to those in Paris. To stretch your budget, consider staying in more affordable accommodations inland and making day trips to coastal attractions. Visit during the shoulder or low seasons for significantly lower rates.

• Seasonal beach hut (May–September): €550

• Sun bed and parasol rental: €8/16 for half/full day

• Takeaway frites (fries) by the beach: €3

• 33cl bottle of beer at a bar: €7–9

• Cappuccino at a Le Touquet café: €5

• Bicycle rental (regular/electric): €16/32 per day

• Bus fare: €1.60/3.30 for a single trip/day pass

• Double room in a mid-range hotel: €100–250

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