What to do in Le Portel?

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Le Portel is a former fishing port, right next to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Its 1.5 km beach is sheltered by the port of Boulogne, making it a family-friendly beach, according to the the resort's presentation.

What is Fort de l'Heurt?

It is a fort built on a rocky outcrop facing the beach at Le Portel. At low tide, its surroundings reveal the largest natural mussel bed on the Opal Coast.

Before you go, check the tide times on the website of SHOM, the official tide service.

Where to walk in Le Portel?

The Parc de la Falaise offers 27 hectares of ponds and recreational areas. The coastal path leads to the fort and lighthouse of Alprech, built at the end of the 19th century. On the beach, flobarts, small flat-bottomed boats, are still used to fish for sole, sea bass, or mackerel, pulled by tractors.

When does the Le Portel carnival take place?

Every year, three days before Lent, with costumed groups, floats, and, on Tuesday, the burning of Bâtiss, the town's mascot.

The town's events calendar is available on the official website of the City of Le Portel.

How to get to Le Portel without a car?

Two lines of the Marinéo network connect Boulogne-sur-Mer to Le Portel: line A, which runs from Equihen-Plage to Wimereux via Le Portel, Outreau, and Boulogne, and line H, from Boulogne to Le Portel Alprech via Outreau and Saint-Léonard.

Nabil's tip: Come to Fort de l'Heurt at low tide and in the late afternoon. The light on the fort and Boulogne is beautiful, and you'll be back in town for dinner.

What is there to see in Equihen-Plage?

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Equihen-Plage is the wildest resort in the area. The village sits atop a clay cliff, overlooking a large beach made up of small coves, according to the Equihen-Plage presentation by the tourist office.

What are the most beautiful beaches in Equihen?

Crevasse Beach is reached by a wooden staircase. Ningles Beach is known for its waterfall that plunges directly onto the sand.

For both, check the time of high tide before going down.

What are "keels in the air"?

They are upturned boat hulls that served as dwellings for fishermen. They formed a veritable neighborhood, destroyed by bombing. The tradition has been revived in the form of accommodations at the municipal campground. Saint-Pierre Church and the town hall house paintings by artists who came to work in Equihen, including Vicente Gil-Franco, who settled there in 1926. Where to walk around Equihen? The Écault dunes, managed by Eden 62, cover 158 hectares between Equihen-Plage and Saint-Étienne-au-Mont. A 4.7 km trail crosses the largest dune system in northern France. Dogs are allowed on leashes, bicycles are prohibited. Municipal information is available on the Equihen-Plage town website.

How to get to Equihen-Plage from Boulogne?

Marinéo line A terminates in Equihen-Plage. By car, the route goes via Outreau and Le Portel.

A concrete example: a day trip south of Boulogne. In the morning, take line A to Equihen-Plage and walk in the Écault dunes. At midday, have a picnic by the sea. In the afternoon, return via Le Portel, visiting the beach and Fort de l'Heurt at low tide, then have dinner in Boulogne.

How to enjoy Hardelot while staying in Boulogne?

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Hardelot is the main seaside resort in the southern Boulonnais region, located in the commune of Neufchâtel-Hardelot. Founded in 1904 by John Witley, during the heyday of sea bathing, it boasts a 10-kilometer beach, two golf courses, and a large equestrian center, according to the Hardelot tourist office's presentation. What to do in Hardelot with the family? The resort has been awarded the Famille Plus label. During the All Saints' Day holidays, the Festi'mômes festival offers shows and workshops for children. Year-round, visitors can enjoy water sports, hiking, cycling, golf, and horseback riding. The program is available on the Neufchâtel-Hardelot Town website.

What to visit near Hardelot?

Hardelot Castle, in Condette, is the Entente Cordiale Cultural Center, managed by the Pas-de-Calais Department. It comprises a neo-Gothic manor house, 19th-century English collections, and an Elizabethan theater. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

How to get to Hardelot from Boulogne?

The car is the most convenient way to get there.

Hardelot is not served by Marinéo lines A and H: contact the network at +33 3 21 83 51 51 for information about on-demand transport. Park the night before at Capécure (free) or at the Q-Park Quai de la Poste, 150 meters from the hotel, to leave early. Is Hardelot beach in the town center? The beach borders the Hardelot resort, which is separate from the town of Neufchâtel. In Boulogne-sur-Mer, on the other hand, the beach is about a fifteen-minute walk from the town center and the hotel. A concrete example: Depart from the hotel around 9:00 a.m., spend the morning on Hardelot beach or horseback riding, have lunch in the resort, visit Hardelot Castle in the afternoon, then return to Boulogne-sur-Mer for a stroll along the ramparts before dinner. Nabil's tip: Go to Hardelot in the morning, have lunch there, and save Hardelot Castle for the afternoon on your way back to Boulogne. Keep in mind that it's closed on Mondays.

And what about Wimereux, north of Boulogne?

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Wimereux is the Belle Époque resort on the coast, in the Bay of Saint-Jean. Hundreds of Anglo-Norman villas line a 1.5 km promenade, with its white and blue beach huts, according to the Wimereux presentation by the tourist office.

What to do in Wimereux?

Rue Carnot is home to food shops, boutiques, and galleries, bustling in every season. The sailing club offers sailing, catamaran, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

To the north lie the Slack dunes, to the south the Pointe aux Oies and the Pointe de la Crèche.

What is the Grand Site des Deux-Caps?

Wimereux is the southern gateway to the Grand Site de France des Deux-Caps, awarded the label on March 29, 2011, and renewed in 2025. It covers 17,700 hectares and 23 km of coastline between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais, including Cap Gris-Nez, Cap Blanc-Nez, and Wissant in between.

How to get to Wimereux without a car?

The Marinéo A line connects Boulogne-sur-Mer to Wimereux, passing through Saint-Martin-Boulogne and Wimille. The Liane bus stop on Boulevard Daunou is a few minutes' walk from the hotel. Why choose a hotel in the city center rather than in a resort? At the Faidherbe, you can choose from five room categories, from the Single Room to the Suite for four people. The reception is open 24/7, except from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM during the off-season, and breakfast is served at the table from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM for €10 per person. In the evening, restaurants and shops are within walking distance, without needing to use your car. Nabil's tip: Don't try to do everything in one day. One stop per day is the perfect rhythm: the south one day, Wimereux the next, and Boulogne with Nausicaá in between.

Key takeaway: The Faidherbe Hotel is neither in Le Portel nor Hardelot, but in the center of Boulogne-sur-Mer, next to these stations. Le Portel and Equihen-Plage are connected by Marinéo lines A and H, Wimereux by line A, and Hardelot is best reached by car. One stop per day, and in the evening, you can dine in town.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there a hotel in Le Portel?

Yes, but the selection is more limited than in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Staying in Boulogne, a neighboring town, offers more room options, with Le Portel accessible via lines A and H. Where to stay near Outreau or Saint-Martin-Boulogne?

These two towns border Boulogne-sur-Mer and are served by Marinéo line A.

The Faidherbe Hotel, in the center of Boulogne, is a convenient option for both travel and accommodation.

Can I get to Equihen-Plage by bus?

Yes, the Marinéo line A terminates in Equihen-Plage.

Where should I stay to visit Hardelot?

In Hardelot or Boulogne-sur-Mer: by car, Boulogne allows you to combine visits to Hardelot, Le Portel, and Wimereux in a single trip.

Are dogs allowed at the hotel?

Yes, upon request, for €10 per night per pet.

In the Écault dunes, they must be kept on a leash.

Where to park in Boulogne-sur-Mer?

At the free Capécure car park, 800 meters from the hotel, or at the Q-Park Quai de la Poste car park (paid), 150 meters away.