Weekend in the Baie de Somme: what to do and where to stay
the perfect weekend exists, it’s in Picardy
Between dunes, mollières and spectacular tides, the Baie de Somme offers one of the most beautiful nature weekends in northern France. Where to go, what to visit, where to sleep camping in Quend-Plage ? Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this wild territory, home to France’s largest seal colony, and much more besides.
- The Baie de Somme, with its dunes, tides and 7,200-hectare nature reserve, is one of the most beautiful nature getaways in northern France, accessible in 2h30 from Paris.
- The region can be explored in 2 or 3 days, with seal watching, cycling on the Vélomaritime, birdwatching at Marquenterre and medieval heritage.
- For overnight stays, the 4-star Les Roses campsite in Quend-Plage offers mobile homes, an indoor swimming pool and quick access to the bay’s must-see sites.
Where to stay for a weekend in the Baie de Somme?
Parenthèse 100% nature
For a successful weekend in the Baie de Somme, the choice of accommodation is essential. Camping Les Roses, a 4-star campsite in Quend-Plage, has established itself as an alternative to traditional accommodation in the Baie de Somme.
Ideally located at the gateway to the Parc du Marquenterre, Quend-Plage offers privileged access to all the emblematic sites of the Bay of the Somme, from Le Crotoy to Saint-Valery, in less than 30 minutes.
Fully-equipped mobile homes for 2 to 6 people, heated indoor pool, natural, green surroundings: everything you need for a comfortable stay in the heart of the Côte Picarde.
Mobile-home rentals are available for 2 nights or more in April, May, June, September and October. Ideal for a family weekend in the Baie de Somme or a couple’s getaway.
What to do during a weekend in Baie de Somme
Planning a weekend in the Baie de Somme? Discover a turnkey itinerary, visit tips and all the practical information you need to organize your getaway and make the most of every moment.
Friday evening: arrival, first lights and dinner in Le Crotoy
Wonder upon arrival
Arrive in the late afternoon, when the golden light shaves the mollières and turns the estuary into a golden mirror. The stage is set.
From the dykes of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme or the quays of Le Crotoy, the sight of the sun setting over the 7,200-hectare National Nature Reserve is worth the trip alone.
In the evening, head for Le Crotoy: its lively quays, seafood restaurants and pink brick streets embody the maritime soul of Picardy. It was in this port that Jules Verne came to recharge his batteries. The mussels of the Baie de Somme – grown on bouchots in some of the cleanest waters in Europe – are a must.
cycling, dunes and Marquenterre
The weekend really begins
A night lulled by the iodized air and already the bay is calling you back. In the morning, get on your bikes and set off to discover the bike paths and migratory birds.
Day 2: Baie de Somme by bike, between dunes and marshes, heading for Marquenterre
Cycling, birds and wide open spaces
Cycling is all the rage in the Baie de Somme. From Le Crotoy or Quend-Plage, more than 40 km of safe, signposted cycle paths allow you to discover the area in complete freedom. Rent a bike for the day and set off on an adventure in the Parc du Marquenterre.
Morning: Vélomaritime through the pines
Put on your helmet and set off on the Vélomaritime (EuroVélo 4), which links Quend-Plage to the Parc du Marquenterre via an entirely safe, kilometre-long greenway winding under pine trees and through dunes.
Allow around 8 to 10 km : a 30 to 40-minute ride at a leisurely pace, accessible to all abilities. Bike racks are available at the park entrance.
The Côte Picarde network of marked trails allows you to go further if you have the time and inclination: towards Fort-Mahon-Plage to the north or Saint-Valery-sur-Somme to the south.
Afternoon: Parc du Marquenterre, bird sanctuary
Located in Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, the Parc du Marquenterre covers 200 hectares of marshes, dunes, reedbeds and pine forests in the heart of the Nature Reserve. It’s one of Europe’s leading ornithological sites, with 303 species of birds listed – white storks, white spoonbills, elegant avocets, grey herons, ospreys, grey cranes – on a 6-kilometer walking trail marked out by 13 camouflaged observation posts .
- There are three possible loops: 45 minutes, 1h30 or 2h, depending on your pace. Binoculars are available for hire at reception.
Naturalist guides accompany you free of charge (included in the entrance fee) to help you decipher the wildlife. On Sunday mornings, a 3-hour “Rencontres Nature” outing allows you to witness the awakening of the park. In the evening, don’t miss our unique twilight outings (booking required).
For lunch, La Tablée du Marquenterre, the Park’s restaurant, offers a welcome stop-off for local cuisine featuring forgotten vegetables and local Picardy produce.
- Parc du Marquenterre is open from April to September, 10 am to 7 pm, closing at 6 pm in March, October and November. Free parking.
Day 3: Meet the seals and the Baie de Somme
A permanent natural spectacle
Seals are an integral part of the postcard picture of the Baie de Somme. The Picardy bay is home to one of the largest colonies of grey seals and calves on the French coast.
Morning: seals, by boat or kayak
To observe seals responsibly, from a regulated distance, there are several options available:
By boat from Le Crotoy or Saint-Valery: the Commandant Charcot speedboats (98 seats, PRM accessible) offer cruises from 40 minutes to 2 hours.
- Prices: from €9 to €24 depending on duration. Les P’tits Charcot, 12-seater RIBs departing from Saint-Valery. 1h30 outing, cost 35-40 € per person.
Sea kayaking: the Saint-Valery-sur-Somme nautical base offers 2h30 “marine safaris” with seal watching from the sea.
- From €43 adult, €25 child (6-12 years). From age 6, provided you know how to swim.
From the shore: the Pointe du Hourdel remains the land spot par excellence – free, spectacular at low tide, with good binoculars. Seals bask on the sandbanks in great numbers.
Tip: Book your boat or kayak trip well in advance, especially at weekends. Check the tide tables before each trip.
Afternoon: Saint-Valery, Le Crotoy, Rue: heritage not to be missed
To round off a weekend of cultural highlights, treat yourself to an immersion in the history of the Bay. Stroll through the medieval streets of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, where the 11th-century ramparts and the port of William the Conqueror (1066) transport you back to the heart of the Middle Ages.
Nearby, Le Crotoy exudes maritime elegance with its pink brick houses and the shadow of Jules Verne. Rue, capital of Marquenterre, boasts a UNESCO-listed belfry (15th century) and a flamboyant Gothic chapel.
The Baie de Somme train, discovering villages and landscapes
The Baie de Somme train is a must-do weekend activity in the bay. Inheriting the era of the 19th-century sea baths, this “Belle-Epoque” steam train links Cayeux-sur-Mer to Le Crotoy, via Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. It’s like a trip out of time!
Practical tips for organizing your stay
Weather tip: bring a windbreaker and suitable footwear: the weather here changes quickly and the trails can be wet.
Ideal duration: 2 to 3 days are enough to explore the bay without rushing.
Access: 2h30 from Paris (via A16, Abbeville or Nouvion exit), 2h from Lille. By train, the main station is Noyelles-sur-Mer, served from Amiens or Calais, with possible connections for the tourist train.
Best time of year: spring for seal births and bird migration, autumn for spectacular lights, winter for absolute calm. Summer remains the high season for spectacular tides and family activities, but it’s more crowded.