Cycling the Opal Coast from Le Touquet to Dunkirk

Spend your first night on the Opal Coast in the very chic seaside town of Le Touquet. Settle down in your accommodation and start your holiday with a beach walk, unless you prefer to go for a stroll through charming villas. Don’t miss the impressive Art Déco Westminster Hotel and the atypical chalets from the Swiss Village.

Finish off your day by climbing up the 274 steps to the lighthouse and enjoy the view over the Canche Bay.

Today you cycle along Le Touquet’s quiet and leafy paths to reach the heart of the Opal Coast. Etaple’s small country roads will give you the opportunity to warm your legs up and to fully test your bikes before going back down for a swim in Sainte-Cécile.

The Vélomaritime will then lead you right to the bottom of Château d’Hardelot, wonderful French-British castle nestled in the forest.

The cycling path slowly climbs back up to the plains, offering a breathtaking view over the coastline and Boulogne-sur-Mer’s belfry. One last effort and you will arrive in front of the city’s walls to enjoy a well-deserved beer!

With today’s stage, you will make the most of the Opal Coast’s seaside towns. No sooner have you left Boulogne-sur-Mer than you will start spotting Wimereux’s Belle Epoque villas from the cliffs. Take a break on the beach before jumping back on your bike to reach Ambleteuse and its Vauban’s fortress.

You will have one more opportunity for a swim in Audresselles before starting your climb up Cape Gris-Nez. Your efforts will be rewarded by the stunning view over the Bristih cliffs, only 35 km away from France.

Make the most of the view while cycling down country roads to the lovely seaside town of Wissant, ideally located between the two capes.

Leaving Wissant, you will have two options to reach Cape Blanc-Nez : we advise you to follow the road to Escalles where you will be able to park your bikes before hiking up the cape. The most audacious ones can, if they wish to, take the winding road to the top (Be careful with the traffic during high peak season). After this last effort, you will leave your legs in peace for the rest of the trip.

Easily bike through Calais thanks to its well organised bike paths. Don’t forget to stop by the famous statue of "Les Bourgeois de Calais" when cycling past the Town Hall.

In case you were missing the beach, you will meet up with it again when arriving at le Platier d’Oye. This nature reserve is worth a stop for its incredible fauna and flora. You will then only need to cycle down the river Aa to reach the city of Gravelines, designed by Vauban.

You are only a few pedal strokes away from Dunkirk, thanks to this short stage through parks and residential neighbouroods.

Whether you are a History buff, a food connoisseur, or an ocean lover, you will have the time to explore the city of Jean Bart, a notorious 17th-century privateer. In this town made for cycling, you will easily reach the beach, sadly famous for its Operation Dynamo during the Second World War. Don’t forget to visit the maritime museum before ending the day in a local brewhouse.