Cycling from the Bay of Somme to the Opal Coast with children !

Before getting on your bikes, take the time to explore Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. There are places to park your bikes up along the marina so you can then go for a walk around the town centre. After grabbing a bite to eat down one of the narrow streets, it’s time to head to Le Crotoy to see the seals. Then continue towards Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont. When you get there, stop off at the Marquenterre park, a 200-hectare bird reserve. Don’t forget to hire binoculars at the entrance to the park to really make the most of your time there! Inside the park, take a seat at one of the tables of the restaurant La Garinière.

__Where to stay:__ at Le Piloti, in a lodge or cottage in the midst of nature.

Once you arrive in Le Touquet, park up your bikes and give your legs a rest. At the indoor market, you'll find some delicious local treats to enjoy down on the beach. There’s plenty for the children to do here, from arts & crafts workshops, to entertainment and shows! They could take part in the Legend of Captain Corsaire treasure hunt for example. 
How do you fancy a delicious seafood platter? Head to the restaurant La Base Nord.

__Where to stay:__ relaxation and a good night’s sleep guaranteed at the Hôtel Bristol in the centre of Le Touquet.

Set off on your bikes early in the morning so you can reach Étaples by lunchtime. When you get there, we recommend visiting the military cemetery, the biggest Commonwealth cemetery in France. Then carry on to the Château d’Hardelot. A spot of culture and history never did children any harm !

__Where to stay:__ at the hotel Bain de Forêt in one of the cosy wooden lodges, with stylish, warm and welcoming decoration ! All the lodges boast wooden Nordic baths.

You won’t need to pedal much further to reach Boulogne-sur-Mer. Here, the children will love a visit to the Nausicaa Aquarium ! Then go to the port to buy some fresh fish for lunch. After that, go for a walk around the ramparts and admire the street art hidden around the town.

__Where to stay:__ at the peaceful La Matelote hotel where guests have free access to the counter-current swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, stream room and relaxation room. Everything you need to relax as a family!

These cliffs are as spectacular as they come! Today’s route is a chance to explore some pretty little towns, such as Wimereux, Ambleteuse and Audresselles. Once you arrive at Cap Gris-Nez, put on your hiking boots and walk in single file along the edge of the cliffs. The cliffs are 50 metres high and provide a breathtaking view of the English coast, just thirty or so kilometres away, on the other side of the Channel.

In the evening, go for a meal at the restaurant Le Bistro with a great atmosphere.

__Where to stay:__ at the Hotel de la Baie de Wissant, an ever so cosy hotel with rooms overlooking the sea.

Along today’s route, you’ll be able to stop off in the village of Tardinghen, where you’ll find the craft brewery, 2 Caps. Once you arrive in Wissant, take the opportunity to relax on the beach, let the children blow off steam and maybe take a stand-up paddleboarding lesson! Fun fact: this resort was the General Charles de Gaulle’s favourite place.

For lunch or an evening meal, go to the restaurant Le Charlemagne and enjoy their varied selection of homemade, hearty dishes. That evening, you’ll be drifting off to sleep at the same hotel at the previous night. 

For this last day of cycling, head back to the Vélomaritime cycle path and pedal full steam ahead to Calais, the last stop on this route. There, you'll find the famous dragon of Calais and the belfry, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. If you still have time, hop aboard the river shuttle “Calais-Majest’in” to explore the town from a different angle. Thanks to all this fresh air, your children will be good as gold!

After all that exercise, it’s time to treat yourselves to an evening meal at the restaurant Le Grand Bleu where they serve inventive and original cuisine.

__Where to stay:__ for the last night of this adventure, book a room at the Holiday Inn Calais, a comfortable hotel facing the sea.

Visit les Hauts de France

Further reading:

• Que faire dans les Hauts-de-France ?
• Escapade bien-être dans les Hauts-de-France