Pas-de-Calais (62) is a department that owes its name to the strait that separates it from England. The coastline, the Opal Coast to be precise, faces the English county of Kent and is hauled in by the English Channel and the North Sea. You can sail to Brittany or the waters of the United Kingdom, particularly the port of Southampton, thanks to a yacht charter in Pas-de-Calais. You will depart from the port of Calais, 38 km from the English coast, the leading French passenger port. It is an excellent point of departure for exploring the Opal Coast.
You will be spoiled for choice as to where to stop, including Berck, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Audresselles, Wissant, etc. in Boulogne-sur-Mer, the citadel with its intact ramparts and the Nausicaa center, which is home to many marine species, are not to be missed. For the biggest and best beaches in Europe, head for Berck and Equihen. Sailing carts, kites, speed-sails and kitesurfing are all on the program. A completely different setting, both idyllic and exclusive, awaits you at Le Touquet, Wimereux and Ambleteuse. In summer, wild trout fishing and kayaking down the river Canche are not to be missed.
Visiting and tasting
From Calais to Berck, the ports of call along the coast of the Pas-de-Calais department will be full of surprises. Let yourself be tempted by beautiful and invigorating walks along the lively streets leading to magnificent ancient architecture such as the watchtower, the citadel and the theater of Calais, the most important city in the department where the famous Channel Tunnel is located.
in Boulogne-sur-Mer, you can linger in front of the majestic Notre-Dame basilica, built in the 19th century, which houses a magnificent Torlonia altar straight from the Vatican workshops. We take advantage of this stop in Boulogne-sur-Mer to sample the seafood cuisine of the Pas-de-Calais, based on mussels, herrings and mackerel simmered in wine. Tarte au papin (a local tart), chocolats de Beussent (chocolates) and old Bourgogne (wine) invite themselves onto our plates for a pleasant culinary journey. Mussel soup, collected from the Plage-Nord, tarte aux pruneaux (a local tart) and kippers with pepper will fill your plates during your gourmet break in Berck.
Time for ecotourism
Following the coastline of the Pas-de-Calais department also means treating yourself to a little moment of escape in the midst of wild and unspoiled nature. This adventure starts in the commune of Étaples, where a portion of the Baie de Canche nature reserve is located. Also encompassing the communes of Lefaux and Camiers, the reserve was classified in 1987 and occupies part of the right bank of the river Canche.
A hike through the heart of this reserve is a must if you want to discover the estuary on one side and elevated dunes stretching as far as the eye can see on the other. as far as the eye can see. This birdwatching hotspot also allows you to observe the different species of sedentary and migratory birds, such as the white stork, the osprey and the lesser spotted eagle.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 41 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess |
| Average price per week | $2,200 |
| Minimum weekly price | $509 |
| Maximum price per week | $5,548 |