5 Things To Do in Le Touquet

First published: August 24, 2024 by Gillian Thornton

A town born out of the fashion for pleasure-seeking, Le Touquet has numerous irresistible pastimes to offer. Here are our top five.

1. Shop til you drop

Browse the fashion retailers, specialist gift shops, and accessories boutiques in the town centre, but leave time to soak up the colours and aromas of the fresh produce at the Art Deco covered market in Rue Saint-Jean. Open on Thursday and Saturday mornings, as well as Mondays in summer, the building is classified an Historic Monument for its half-moon shape and arches.

2. Pamper yourself

Enjoy the healing powers of seawater and minerals with a range of treatments at Le Touquet’s two thalassotherapy hotels overlooking the beach, or try more traditional spa treatments at the Spa de La Petite Forêt. Or chill out at the Nuxe Spa in the Hotel Westminster; the Opale at the Grand Hotel; or the Villa Claude Maxime.

3. Take to the water

Indulge in your favourite water sport or maybe even try a new one. Book a lesson in sand-yachting (char à voile) on Le Touquet’s 7km stretch of fine sandy beach, go sea wading (longe-côte) or try stand-up paddle boarding, surfing or kite- surfing. You can also take to the water of the Canche in a canoe, paddle-boat or catamaran. There really is something to suit everyone.

4. Gat active on dry land

Golfers can choose from two 18-hole golf courses and one nine-hole, whilst horse riders of all levels can enjoy both beach and forest rides organised from Le Touquet’s Equestrian Centre. Prefer to travel on two wheels? Then explore more than 28km of protected off-road cycle paths leading through the forest and beside the glorious coastline.

5. Explore the Canche bay

Partially classified as a National Nature Reserve since 1987, the bay is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna from orchids to seals. From April through to September, you can take a guided cruise excursion to discover the wildlife of the bay, or book a guided nature tour and explore this rich and fascinating area on foot.

From France Today Magazine