Spend a weekend in Authie Bay: must-do activities
Looking to escape for a weekend? Craving adventure and a connection with nature? In that case, spending a weekend in Authie Bay should satisfy your desires. Yes, indeed! There are truly little slices of paradise north of Paris. This place, marked by raw and preserved nature, leaves no one indifferent. For a combination of peace and escape, nothing beats a few days of vacation in Authie Bay!
Locate Authie Bay
Located between two departments, Pas-de-Calais and Somme, Authie Bay boasts diverse fauna and flora. In short, a truly enchanting natural environment. A pride of the Opal Coast and its sister, the Somme Bay, Authie Bay stretches over 100 km, from Fort-Mahon to Berck-sur-Mer. Beaches, dune areas, and estuaries share this vibrant territory.
Popular with European tourists, especially Belgians, Dutch, and Germans, Authie Bay is the perfect place to recharge. Nature and wide-open space lovers are sure to fall under its spell!
Just 2 hours 30 minutes from Paris by car, 2 hours from Lille, and 1 hour from Calais via the A16, Authie Bay guarantees an escape within easy reach! By train, the nearest station is Rang-du-Fliers, served by the Lille-Calais-Boulogne-Amiens-Paris line.
Thinking of spending a weekend in Authie Bay? There are plenty of hotels, campsites, holiday homes, brasseries, and restaurants in this area. For accommodation and dining, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Also read: Visiting the Opal Coast in 3 Days
Oxygenate in the heart of the dunes
Keep your eyes open; the wildlife might surprise you! You may come across a frog or a titmouse. In the dune massifs, ephemeral ponds form, making it possible to observe dragonflies skimming over the water. Additionally, roe deer enjoy drinking at the edge of the marshes.
To explore the dune trail, it’s helpful to follow the educational circuit starting from Berck-sur-Mer. This marked trail, equipped with informational panels, helps you understand the importance of the Authie dunes. Moreover, thanks to the markings, the path is well-defined: you’ll know where to step without harming the surrounding vegetation! This also applies to Fido. For your dog, remember to keep them on a leash.So, are you ready for a 2.5 km walk along the Authie dune trail?
Hiking and savoring new flavors during your vacation in Authie Bay
When you travel, do you enjoy discovering local culinary specialties? What if Wimereux-Tourisme told you that it’s possible to combine a nature walk with tasting new flavors?
Many visitors to Authie Bay are fond of gourmet hikes. No, it’s not a mistake. We’re indeed talking about “gourmet hikes.” But what does that involve? Well, it’s a classic hike with a little extra: tasting the offerings provided by Mother Nature. In Authie Bay, you can treat your taste buds in an idyllic setting. Accompanied by a nature guide or a naturopath, enjoy a wide variety of edible wild plants and uncover all their secrets! Wimereux-Tourisme presents below some species you may encounter during your stay:
- Sea buckthorn berries. Generally, their tangy taste appeals to most people. Be careful not to overindulge: harvesting them is prohibited.
- Sea aster. Nicknamed “pig’s ear” due to its shape, sea aster leaves are often cooked in a stir-fry. These “sea spinach” pair well with both meat and fish.
- Evening primrose. The oil from this plant is used both in cooking and in cosmetics.
- Glasswort. If you enjoy pickles as a snack, you’ll likely love this too. You can also try country terrines with glasswort, available in specialty stores.
- Sea purslane. Perfect for an appetizer, it has won over many visitors! Our tip? Warm it up in the oven for a few minutes. Why? The heat transforms it into a great substitute for industrial chips! With its crunchy texture and salty taste, you won’t notice the difference.
Spending a weekend in Authie Bay to watch the seals along the coast
As a good visitor to the Opal Coast, skipping out on the seals of Berck-sur-Mer is out of the question!
The sea retreats, and the sandbanks finally emerge. For the seal colony, it’s the perfect time for a nap! To make sure you see them, head to the nautical base at Berck-sur-Mer, also known as Seal Beach, 2 hours and 30 minutes before low tide. Check the tide schedule.
During your visit, you may spot:
- Harbor seals;
- Grey seals, twice the size of harbor seals.
Sometimes, the influx of tourists causes significant disturbances to these wild animals. Therefore, a few essential rules must be followed in the presence of seals.
- Your dog must be kept on a leash.
- Children and adults should not approach them.
- Stay at least 200 meters away from the colony.
For seals, summer marks the arrival of newborns. Disregarding these basic rules can have severe consequences, including:
- the separation of a mother and her pup due to a crowd of tourists;
- the rejection of the young seal by its mother because of a foreign scent;
- deterioration of their health due to regular disruptions to their rest time.
Planning to visit Authie Bay in the fall or winter? Put on your boots, raincoat, and bring a pair of binoculars: the seals will be there!
Want to learn more about marine life? Discover Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Discover Authie Bay in an unusual way
Not everyone enjoys or can walk for miles and miles. However, that doesn’t mean your stay ends there. In Authie Bay, friendly and original alternatives exist. Of course, these can also complement hiking and nature walks! Either way, you’ll discover a new side of the bay.
In Authie Bay, there’s something for everyone. Feel free to explore this authentic natural area in the way that suits you best:
- By sea. Head to the Berck-sur-Mer nautical club! Discover Authie Bay. For an hour, a guide will assist you and reveal all its secrets. As you ride the waves, you’ll be filled with wonder.
- By air. Dreaming of your first flight? You’re in luck! You can fly over Authie Bay by plane or microlight. Keep your eyes wide open—you won’t want to miss a second of this unique experience! Want to learn more? Contact the Berck-sur-Mer aeroclub.
- On an off-road electric scooter. Scooter enthusiasts aren’t only found in Paris or Lyon! This activity often delights the whole family. Choose your package (initiation, discovery, or adventure) and admire the seafront, dunes, and beautiful colors of the Opal Coast. Have fun!
When you visit the Opal Coast, you’ll always want to return. The Pas-de-Calais coastline, loved by many, satisfies those looking for both escape and authenticity. Spending a weekend in Authie Bay is an excellent way to recharge and enjoy time with family or friends! Want to feast your eyes? This area, dedicated to connecting with nature, stands out with its variety of landscapes that evoke a sense of escape: dunes, seashores, fields, estuaries, and salt marshes. Vacations in Authie Bay are waiting for you.
