What to do on a weekend in Quend-Plage?
Between the Baie de Somme and the Baie d’Authie
Located between the Baie de Somme and the Baie d’Authie, Quend-Plage is one of the wildest seaside resorts in the Hauts-de-France region. A weekend at Quend-Plage has it all: just 2h30 from Paris and 1h from Amiens, this natural destination boasts 15 kilometers of fine sand, wild dunes and numerous family activities. From our Quend-Plage campsiteyou’re in the heart of this unspoilt coastline.
- 15 km of untamed beach – large enough to find a quiet spot even in the middle of August
- Sporting and family activities – sand yachting, cycling, fishing, golf: the program can be adapted to suit your tastes and the tides.
- Preserved nature – dunes, pine forests, wetlands protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral (French coastal protection agency)
- 2.5 hours from Paris – close enough to leave on a Friday evening, far enough to really get away from it all.
- Authentic atmosphere – no over-invested seafront, no mass tourism. Just a resort that lives at its own pace
The ideal program for a weekend in Quend-Plage-les-Pins
Two days, one watchword: enjoy!
Day 1: Beach and water sports
- Morning: sand yachting – Head for the beach on arrival. A 1h30 session at the Ozone school is all it takes to catch the gliding bug. Book in advance in high season.
- Lunch: moules-frites – a must. Bouchot mussels from the Baie de Somme are best eaten facing the sea, with your feet still in the sand.
- Afternoon: fishing or biking – Depending on the tide, you can explore the sand at low tide or ride a bike along the pine forest. Both are worthwhile.
- Evening: sunset on the beach – Facing due west, Quend-Plage beach offers spectacular end-of-day views. Don’t forget your plaid.
Day 2: cycling, nature and hiking
- Morning: bike to Parc du Marquenterre – 12 km on the greenway, between wetlands and unspoilt dunes. Set off early to enjoy the peace and quiet and observe migratory birds.
- Lunch: local produce – Cheeses, fresh bread, seafood: fill up at local producers before hitting the road again.
- Late afternoon: hike the Royon trail, the must-do walk, 4 kilometers, less than 2 hours, and a condensed version of everything that makes Quend-Plage so charming.
Quend-Plage beach: 15 kilometers of wild sand
Sand, dunes and sea
La Quend beach is one of the largest beaches on the Picardy coast. Fifteen kilometers of west-facing fine sand, bordered by dunes and protected by a pine forest in the back.
Even in the middle of August, a twenty-minute walk is all it takes to find yourself alone on the horizon. The shallow water is ideal for children. At low tide, lines of bouchots create a seascape unique in France.
It’s the perfect place for :
- sand yachting
- long family outings
- supervised bathing in season
- spectacular sunsets
The Royon trail links Quend-Plage to Fort-Mahon-Plage in a loop, through three naturally successive landscapes: the foreshore at low tide, the dunes covered with oyats and the pine forest. No difficulty, no special equipment. Just good shoes and the desire to walk. A weekend at Quend-Plage without taking the Royon is an incomplete weekend.
Sand yachting at Quend-Plage: the must-do activity
Quend-Plage is considered one of the best spots for sand yachting in the Hauts-de-France region. Between the Baie de Somme and the Baie d’Authie, the winds are steady and the space unlimited. The Marquenterre beaches offer more than 25 kilometers of sailing at low tide. A sporting weekend ahead!
The Ozone school, an institution in Quend-Plage, offers :
- Initiations from age 7
- Supervision by qualified instructors
- Sessions of about 1h30
After a few minutes of learning – when you understand that you’re flying with your feet – the sensation of gliding becomes exhilarating. In July and August, remember to book your char à voile session.
Fishing at Quend-Plage
A family nature activity
A weekend by the sea means… fishing! At low tide, the beach at Quend-Plage is transformed into a vast playground. The wet sand reveals a world of its own: buried shells, crabs hidden under rocks, grooves betraying the presence of a knife.
Here you can harvest cockles, razor clams, tellin clams and green crabs – enough to make a nice evening meal or simply spend a couple of hours with your hands in the sand with the kids.
When to go? The ideal window is 2 hours before low tide and 1 hour after. Consult the tide tables before setting out: timing makes all the difference.
With a local guide, the experience takes on a whole new dimension. These educational outings teach youngsters to identify species, respect minimum catch sizes and understand the fragile balance of the Picardy coastline. A way of raising awareness without lecturing.
Boots, bucket and rake: that’s all you need. And a little patience – the sea delivers its treasures to those who know how to observe.
Bike rides in the forest and on the Vélomaritime
Cycling from bay to bay
In Quend-Plage, cycling is not an option. It’s the natural rhythm of the weekend. The Picardy resort boasts a rare coastal pine forest, criss-crossed by shady cycle paths perfect for families.
The Vélomaritime links the Baie de Somme to the Baie d’Authie along the coastline. The route is safe and accessible to children.
Don’t miss :
- The Tadorne circuit (24 km)
- Greenway to Parc du Marquenterre (12 km)
The route to the park crosses wetlands and preserved dune areas – a total immersion in Picardy nature.
Bicycle rentals (classic and electric) are available in the resort.
- Read also: What to do when it rains in Quend-Plage?
Activities with children: Asinerie du Marquenterre
A five-minute drive from the beach, another world
On a busy weekend in Quend-Plage – sand yachting, cycling, fishing – the Asinerie du Marquenterre comes at just the right time. A bucolic stopover just a few kilometers from the beach, where children take the time to slow down.
- Around 30 donkeys – to approach, feed and stroke under the supervision of the breeders
- An educational farm – to understand the daily life of a livestock farm and the link between the animal and its territory.
- Supervised rides – youngsters leave with reins in hand and plenty of memories in their pockets
Belle Dune golf course: an exceptional course in the dunes
Just a few minutes from Quend-Plage, the Belle Dune golf course deserves a special mention: 18 holes in the heart of the dunes, regularly ranked among the most beautiful courses in France. The natural setting, with its Picardy skies and unspoilt dune areas, is as beautiful as the course itself. An interlude for amateurs – or a good excuse to extend the weekend by a day.
Where to stay in Quend-Plage?
Forest, beach, cycle paths: a campsite at the heart of it all
To take full advantage of all these activities over a weekend in the Baie de Somme, staying in a mobile home at Quend-Plage is the most natural solution. The 4-star Les Roses campsite is ideally located: just a stone’s throw from the beach, cycle paths and pine forest, everything can be reached on foot or by bike from your pitch.
Camping Les Roses is within easy reach of :
- Downtown – shops, restaurants and local markets within walking distance
- Sand yachting schools – including the Ozone school, right on the beach
- To the pine forest – for shady family bike rides
- The beaches – 15 kilometers of fine sand accessible without a car