Things to do in Boulogne-sur-Mer and nearby

The apartment is ideally located to explore Boulogne-sur-Mer on foot and the Opal Coast by car or bus. Here are our ideas, from a one-hour stroll to a full day out. Please check opening times before you go.

In Boulogne-sur-Mer

  • The Old Town and its ramparts: walk all the way round the 13th-century walls of the fortified town, through its monumental gates. About an hour, beautiful at sunset.
  • Notre-Dame basilica and its dome, visible from afar, with one of the largest crypts in France.
  • The belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the castle museum, a medieval fortress with surprising collections (Egypt, Inuit masks, ceramics).
  • Nausicaá, one of Europe's largest aquariums: sharks, rays, penguins, sea lions and the huge "High Seas" tank. Allow half a day.
  • The harbour and Quai Gambetta: France's leading fishing port. In the morning, fishmongers sell the catch of the day.
  • Boulogne beach and its promenade, right next to Nausicaá.

Beaches and the Opal Coast

  • Wimereux (10 min): Belle Époque villas, a seafront promenade and a long beach. Reachable by Marinéo bus.
  • Le Portel and Equihen-Plage (10–15 min): family beaches, cliffs and views of Fort de l'Heurt.
  • Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez (25–40 min): the two capes of the Grand Site des Deux-Caps. On a clear day you can see the English cliffs.
  • Wissant (30 min): a vast sandy beach between the two capes, perfect for sand yachting and kitesurfing.
  • Hardelot (20 min): its castle and gardens, and the Écault dunes to explore on foot.

With children

  • Nausicaá, of course, and picnics on the beach (a beach umbrella is available in the utility room).
  • Mont Saint-Frieux for a walk through the forest and dunes.
  • Rock pooling at low tide on the rocks of Wimereux and Audresselles (check the tide times).

Food

  • Try the fish soup, moules-frites and the catch of the day in the harbour restaurants.
  • Boulonnais cheeses and the market on Place Dalton (Wednesday and Saturday mornings).

Getting around

  • The Marinéo bus network serves the town, Wimereux and Equihen.
  • Boulogne-Ville station connects to Calais, Lille, Amiens and Paris.
from 55 € / night
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