Welcome traveler friends, today, let's go to France, on the banks of the English Channel, to discover the “Station of the 4 seasons”: Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. Located 200 km north of the capital, Le Touquet owes its popularity largely to the incredible range of sporting and leisure activities. A resort for Parisians and Lille residents, Le Touquet attracts up to 250,000 visitors in season. The reputation of Le Touquet is well established: a mythical and chic city, a natural and lively city in all seasons, a city with timeless architecture, all bordered by a wild and preserved 11 km beach. Let yourself be lulled by the sound of the waves, follow me, I will take you to discover the best activities in the most popular seaside resort in the North of France. Welcome to Touquet-Paris-Plage.
The magic of the coast: Canche Bay Natural Park
Put on your sneakers and head to Le Touquet beach, a natural jewel of 11 km of fine sand and dune spaces. The Baie de Canche Natural Park is located on the northern tip of Le Touquet. Access is easy for pedestrians and cyclists. From the nautical center which offers a breathtaking view of the estuary, walk a few meters to reach the motorhome area. Further on, let’s take the “Boucle de la Corniche”. The latter runs along the northern tip to the ornithological observatory which overlooks the bay.
From there, you can observe migratory birds, but also seals sleeping on the sandbanks at low tide. Then head south, following the dune to the end of the seafront, then returning to the nautical center. This 3 km loop will excite your senses: breathe the iodized air with the scent of maritime pines, observe the extraordinary light of this bay, listen and let yourself be lulled by the sound of the wind, the waves and the seagulls circling in a opal sky. This route is only one possibility among others, 2 other shorter trails are offered to you: “The pinède loop” and “The dune loop”.
A chariot to tame the wind
Let's continue our journey. While some take the “Boucle de La Canche”, others will prefer thrills. So, head south to the beach where Bertrand Lambert, five-time world sand yachting champion, has made this sport one of the emblematic disciplines of Le Touquet. Let yourself be carried by the wind and speed along the 11 km of beach.
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Golf Resort du Touquet: ranked in the Top 100 of the most beautiful golf courses in the world
We left some friends behind on the Corniche trail, others headed to the nautical center for an introduction to sand yachting. We decide to move away a little from the shore and enter the forest area of Le Touquet. For us, it will be heading towards the Golf Resort. Thanks to its privileged natural environment between dunes and forest, Le Touquet Golf Resort welcomes amateurs and experienced golfers on 3 courses, classified among the 100 most beautiful courses in Europe and the world.
In all weather, you can access 2 18-hole courses and 1 9-hole course. The Manoir's 9-hole course is a shorter event, but adapted to the vagaries of the weather or to a more limited playing time. The “La Forêt” route takes place in the heart of the pine forest. As for the 18-hole course “La Mer”, with an international reputation, it is a “links”, it is a course located by the sea or in an exceptional dune area. Golf is played all year round on the Touquet green.
The sandy soil capable of draining effectively ensures remarkable playing comfort on the three courses offered. Le Touquet Golf Resort also offers an introduction to the game, a discovery of the equipment as well as a practice; without forgetting the “putting” competitions and other team challenges.
Le Touquet equestrian park, one of the most beautiful French sites
We are leaving a few friends at the Golf Resort du Touquet again, for us it will be heading to the Hippodrome du Touquet in the heart of the forest. Horse riding is one of the other key sports in Le Touquet. At the equestrian park, one of the most beautiful French sites dedicated to horses, beginners and jockeys come together. Baby pony, riding lessons, equine therapy, acrobatics, etc. are some of the many activities offered to the general public.
The advanced training courses, courses or walks help to approach the animal gently while offering a unique point of view on the resort. The “Dunes and Beach” course and that of “La Forêt” allow the rider to appreciate all the natural beauty of the landscapes.
The Canche Bay nautical center: sails ahead
We are on Le Touquet beach, on the horizon we can see the sailboats drifting further and further away. Closer to us, the colorful sails of windsurfing boards dot the sea with bright, multicolored spots.
A catamaran approaches the shore at high speed. Then, we look up to the sky, a multitude of small parachutes spinning towards the north halo the azure sky, hundreds of kite surfers have arranged to meet. The sea then serves us as a flamboyant and living postcard. We let our friends gallop away on their horses.
We decide to try windsurfing. We learn that at the Canche Bay nautical center, we have the possibility of obtaining our coastal license, but we can also and quite simply rent equipment (kayak, canoe, paddle, giant paddle, pedal boat, catamarans, dinghy , windsurfing and even an electric e-foil…). We are in an ideal spot for everyone and even for the youngest with the offer of optimist courses.
Tennis Le Touquet club: first clay court tennis center in France
Intoxicated by the iodine-laden air, we will finish our sporting journey at the Le Touquet tennis club. The first Pierre de Coubertin clay court tennis center in France.
18 clay courts, 3 outdoor all-weather clay courts and 5 indoor courts. We experience padel tennis (at the crossroads of tennis and squash). Let's head to the 25 m long outdoor swimming pool, heated to 28 degrees. We are served a delicious cocktail at the very lively and chic bar.
We dive into the water. Afterwards, we will treat ourselves to some well-deserved relaxation on a deckchair.
Discover animated life? Le Touquet has 300 shops, 70 restaurants, a multitude of bars, 5 nightclubs
Well rested and in great shape again, we join our friends to discover the city center. A plethora of restaurants, bars, shops, with elegant and sometimes surprising decorations welcome us. We will stop, of course, at the “Chat Bleu”, the unmissable chocolate factory in Le Touquet and we will continue to the bottom of rue Saint-Jean for the best crepe in the world (personal opinion) at the “Mignardises” where you won't have to be surprised to see a fairly large queue, be patient, it is well worth the effort.
We wander through the streets and are surprised by the number of quality shops that this resort offers. The time has come for an aperitif and some of us will have it at the “Impasse” for our more “party-loving” friends, at the “Westminster” bar for those seeking tranquility and an ultra-chic atmosphere.
We will have our fill at the “Café des Sports” for fans of excellent, friendly brasseries and impeccable culinary quality. For the most demanding, head to “Le Pavillon”, the “Café des Arts”, “Les deux Moeaux” or even the “Village Suisse”… Thus ends our “Touquet travel tour”, for us it will be the hotel but be aware that Le Touquet is also life at night…..
Conclusion
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is much more than a luxury destination, it is above all a sporting and cultural destination, but also a destination where good humor, relaxation and leisure combine. We loved our trip, we will come back to Le Touquet, that's for sure, but this time for a much longer stay because many other activities still await us….
