Why go?

A short trip across the Channel by train or ferry, Le Touquet Paris-Plage offers a slice of seaside elegance with a quintessentially English touch. This bright and breezy jewel of the Opal Coast was built for leisure and even has its own mini Eiffel Tower made from sand. August and September typically see glorious weather, with temperatures hovering around the 20C mark.

What to do

Le Touquet grew from a small resort with a vast, golden beach into a fully-fledged town in 1912. But it was a pair of enterprising Brits who first developed the winning formula of golf and gambling that drew the celebrities and high rollers to its shores. All of which explains the patchwork of modern architecture and Anglophile country houses that dot the townscape. For a bird’s eye view of the eclectic rooftops, climb the 274 steps of Le Phare lighthouse and gaze out from this Fifties red-brick landmark – seeing all the way to England on a clear day. Le Touquet’s town centre is compact and easy to explore on foot: wander down Rue Saint-Jean for chic boutiques and an array of chocolate and pastry shops. Strolling along the promenade you’ll see joggers, sunbathers and local fishermen catching prawns in their nets. Zipping past them all are sand sailors in their land yachts. Have a go at this thrilling sport with Bertrand Lambert Channel Nautical Centre 00 33 3 21 05 33 51 and listen carefully to those instructions on how to stop. Thrill-chasers still roll dice at the casinos – but more popular than ever are Le Touquet’s renowned golf courses, including La Mer, letouquetgolfresort.com – France’s No.1 links. Next, swap golf bags for Dutch bicycles at La Baleine Royale labaleineroyale.fr and head off to explore the fragrant 19th-century pine forest, before continuing along the estuary for a scenic ride. Those who prefer hooves to wheels will enjoy a horse trek through the sheltering forest and across the rolling dunes. The Equestrian Centre centre-equestre-letouquet.ffe.com has options for riders of all levels, and has a racecourse for competitions during summer.

Where to stay

If the bird-cage lift or mahogany bar of Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster 00 33 3 21 05 48 48, westminster.fr could talk, they might mention guests like PG Wodehouse or Ian Fleming – but despite the bulging guest book this iconic address offers luxury that feels unfussy. It has 115 elegant rooms and suites, a spa and an indoor pool. The Hotel Castel Victoria has 25 modern, bijou rooms, a roof terrace and zen garden, ideal for sunny breakfasts. Le Manoir Hôtel 00 33 3 21 06 28 28, manoirhotel.com sits on the edge of Le Touquet Golf Resort and is one of the swankiest places in town to stow your clubs. The former family home of the resort’s founder, today it has a fine-dining restaurant, pool and tennis courts.

Where to eat and drink

Feast on freshly netted prawns, velvety smoked salmon and a signature fish soup in Chez Perard 00 33 3 21 05 13 33, perard-letouquet.fr – which also offers lively counter seating in its adjoining fishmonger’s. Swing by the medieval-looking Marché Couvert, which sprawls across the town square, to pick up cured meats, cheeses and breads for a very French picnic, adding macarons and éclairs from Arts Gourmands 00 33 3 21 05 39 03. Watch the boats roll in from the terrace of laid-back La Base Nord 00 33 3 21 05 59 22 at the mouth of La Canche estuary. Reach it along the cycle trail, or just stroll in off the dunes to enjoy fish, steaks and seafood salads. Les Sports 00 33 3 21 05 05 22, brasserielessports.fr is where you may spot President Macron over dinner. His wife has a family retreat in town and they are known to drop in. Instead of frites, try a plate of Ratte du Touquet, the nutty, buttery local potato. For Michelin-starred meals, try Le Pavillon 00 33 3 21 05 48 48, westminster.fr in the Westminster hotel, where chef William Elliot’s menus are sublime.

Time running out?

Take a Tourist Office-run architecture tour around the town’s impressive buildings. 00 33 3 21 06 72 00

Travel Information

Travel Information

Currency is the euro (EUR). Time is 1 hour ahead of GMT. Getting there by train takes around 1 hour, plus a 45-minute drive from Fréthun (car hire available at station). By ferry, the journey takes 90 minutes. Drive time from Calais is around 1 hour.

Getting There

Eurostar runs a London to Calais-Fréthun service. eurostar.com

DFDS Seaways runs a Dover-to-Calais ferry. dfdsseaways.co.uk

Resources

Le Touquet Paris-Plage is the office tourist board and its website is packed with useful information. letouquet.com