What should you know about Saint-Martin-Boulogne?

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Saint-Martin-Boulogne is the municipality bordering Boulogne-sur-Mer to the east. It has 10,888 inhabitants according to the INSEE (2023 municipal population). Its center is a direct extension of the city of Boulogne, and its neighborhoods extend to Mont Lambert and the Inquétrie area.

Where are the commercial and business areas located?

The Côte d'Opale shopping center and the Mont-Joie area are the main commercial hubs, located along the RN42 highway.

For employment, the Inquétrie business park covers 50 hectares and brings together 124 companies and 1,432 jobs, while the Mont-Joie business park has 18 companies and 324 jobs, according to the Boulonnais Agglomeration. What to do in Saint-Martin-Boulogne? The Hélicéa complex, located at 7 rue Mont Joie, includes a swimming pool and a 1,200 m² ice rink. It's a great family outing, in addition to the beach and Nausicaá.

How long does it take to get there from the hotel?

By car, without traffic, it takes about 5 minutes to reach the Saint-Martin-Boulogne town hall (2.7 km), 7 minutes to Hélicéa (3.9 km), and 9 minutes to L'Inquétrie (5.9 km). These estimates are calculated using OpenStreetMap.

Which bus should I take to get to Saint-Martin-Boulogne?

Several lines of the Marinéo network connect Boulogne to Saint-Martin, notably line D towards the center of Saint-Martin and line L, which serves L'Inquétrie, Mont-Joie, and Hélicéa. The Société Générale and François Mitterrand stops are less than 150 meters from the hotel.

Nabil's tip: For a business trip to L'Inquétrie or Mont-Joie, have breakfast at 7:00 AM and leave early. You'll be there in less than 10 minutes, and you can walk back to the city center for dinner in the evening.

What should you know about Outreau?

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Outreau is the neighboring town to the south of Boulogne-sur-Mer, on the left bank of the Liane River. It has 13,138 inhabitants according to INSEE (the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). It is a hinterland town: it has no direct access to the sea, as its Wikipedia page explains. What businesses are located in Outreau? Outreau maintains a significant business park to the east, along the Liane River. The Résurgat 2 and 3 business park houses 21 companies and 383 jobs, according to the Boulogne-sur-Mer Agglomeration. The nearby Capécure port area is covered in our guide Hotel near the port and Capécure.

How to get to Outreau from the hotel?

By car, it takes approximately 6 minutes to reach the town square of Outreau (3.2 km). By bus, line O of the Marinéo network connects Boulogne and Outreau, and lines H and P cross Outreau towards Le Portel.

Where to go to the beach from Outreau?

To Le Portel, the neighboring town, or to Equihen-Plage.

These resorts, along with Hardelot and Wimereux, are detailed in our guide to resorts around Boulogne-sur-Mer.

A concrete example: A technician is working for three days at a company in Outreau. Each night, she parks at the Q-Park Quai de la Poste, 150 meters from the hotel, has dinner in the town center on foot, and leaves each morning in 6 minutes for her worksite.

What is there to see in Wimille, north of Boulogne?

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Wimille is the town north of Boulogne-sur-Mer, neighboring Wimereux, from which it was separated in 1899 according to its encyclopedic entry. It has 3,866 inhabitants according to INSEE, spread between the town center and hamlets such as Lozembrune and Terlincthun.

What is the Column of the Grande Armée?

It is the most famous monument in Wimille.

Standing 53 meters tall and made of Boulonnais marble, it commemorates the Boulogne camp, where 180,000 men were assembled by Napoleon to prepare for the invasion of England, according to the Boulonnais Agglomeration. The monument is managed by the National Monuments Centre.

Can you hike from the column?

Yes. The 14 km Imperial Trail, approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, starts from the column's parking lot and passes through Wimille, Wimereux, and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The route and points of interest are in the same document from the Agglomeration.

Are there businesses in Wimille?

Yes, at the Trésorerie business park, connected to the A16 motorway: 37 hectares, 31 businesses, and 920 jobs, according to the Agglomeration of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

How to get to Wimille?

By car, it takes about 9 minutes to reach the church in Wimille (6 km). By train, the Wimille-Wimereux station is on the line between Boulogne-Ville and Calais. By bus, lines A and F of the Marinéo network serve the Wimille Gare stop.

Nabil's tip: Combine the Grande Armée column and Wimereux in the same half-day, then return to Boulogne for dinner. Check the opening hours on the monument's website beforehand, as they change depending on the season.

Should I sleep in the centre of Boulogne or on the outskirts?

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It all depends on your plans. A hotel in the area near the A16 motorway is fine for a single night while you're on the road. If you're staying two nights or more, or if you want to go out in the evening, the center of Boulogne-sur-Mer is more convenient: restaurants, the port, the beach, and Nausicaá are all within walking distance.

Which hotel is near the Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital?

The Boulogne-sur-Mer Hospital Center, located on Allée Jacques Monod, is about 2 km from the hotel, or a 4-minute drive.

For a hospitalized loved one or a business trip to the hospital, the 24-hour reception allows you to return at any time.

And what about Saint-Léonard and Pont-de-Briques?

Saint-Léonard, to the south, is home to the Liane business park: 55 hectares, 112 companies, and 1,705 jobs, according to the Greater Area Authority. It's about an 8-minute drive from the hotel. Lines G and M1 of the Marinéo network serve the town.

Which room should you choose?

For solo travelers, the Single Room is the most economical option. For couples, the Double Room. For families, the Triple Room or the 36 m² Suite, with a kitchenette. Find tips on saving money in our guide Cheap Hotels in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

What to see in Boulogne-sur-Mer at the end of the day?

The fortified old town and the belfry are just a few minutes' walk away.

The events calendar and sightseeing suggestions are available on the Boulonnais Tourist Office website.

Nabil's tip: If you need to visit several towns in the same day, keep your car and park it only once in the evening. The entire greater Boulogne area is less than 10 minutes from the hotel.

Key points to remember: Saint-Martin-Boulogne, Outreau, and Wimille are all less than 10 minutes by car from the Faidherbe Hotel, in the center of Boulogne-sur-Mer. You can take advantage of the Marinéo buses right outside the hotel, restaurants within walking distance in the evening, and a 24-hour reception. For a mission around the port, also read our guide Capécure and the Port of Boulogne.

Is there a hotel in Outreau?

The options there are mainly rentals and area hotels. The center of Boulogne-sur-Mer is about a 6-minute drive away.

How long does it take to get from the hotel to Saint-Martin-Boulogne?

About a 5-minute drive to the town hall, 9 minutes to L'Inquétrie.

Which bus goes to Saint-Martin-Boulogne?

Lines D and L of the Marinéo network, departing from the center of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Does Outreau have a beach?

No.

The nearest beaches are at Le Portel and Equihen-Plage.

Where is the column of the Grande Armée?

In Wimille, north of Boulogne-sur-Mer, a few minutes' drive from the hotel.

Can we arrive late at the hotel?

Yes, the reception is open 24 hours a day.