Wissant Beach
Fine sandy beach
Certainly the most popular beach on the Opal Coast with locals, Wissant beach is considered by Vogue magazine as one of the most beautiful beaches in France (17th in the ranking).
Perfect for swimming with children, it also welcomes dogs during certain periods. Wissant beach is also very popular with water sports enthusiasts (kite surfing or windsurfing) due to its good wind exposure.
It is also common to see, at low tide, parades of land yachts.
Camiers Sainte-Cécile Beach
Fine sandy beach
Unlike most of the beaches on the Opal Coast, Saint-Cécile beach is sometimes appreciated for the absence of beach cabins, which are abundant on other beaches. It is also valued for its beach facilities: free parking, showers, toilets, accessibility for people with disabilities, and lifeguard services (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during summer).
Nature clearly has its place around Sainte-Cécile beach, just as activities such as land sailing or long walking in the sea are popular here.
Hiking enthusiasts will be pleased, as the area offers 750 hectares of dunes where hiking is possible.
Berck sur Mer Beach
Fine sandy beach
15 km from Le Touquet Paris Plage, Berck-sur-Mer beach attracts families over more than 10 km. Walking paths are popular for exploring the dunes, and every year, the International Kite Festival draws thousands of tourists during the month of April for 15 days.
While walking along the seafront heading south, with your gaze towards the sea, you can easily spot seals.
To the north, you’ll find a naturist beach as well as a land sailing center.
Escalles Beach (Cap Blanc Nez)
Fine sandy beach
At the foot of Cap Blanc-Nez, Escalles beach is a 100% natural beach. Voted the most beautiful beach in France in 2016 by Paris-Match magazine, it is accessible at low tide via the Escalles cran.
Surrounded by fields of poppies and canola, be cautious of the rising tide. At high tide, the sea reaches the base of the cliffs.
The sunsets are cherished by locals and artists alike.
Wimereux Beach
Fine sandy beach
A highly popular seaside resort, especially among residents of Lille, Wimereux offers a large beach where bathers, sports enthusiasts, and artists mix. A renowned nautical center offers all types of water sports (catamarans, kite-surfing, etc.).
The architecture of the historic villas, of which there are dozens in the town, adds to the uniqueness of this seaside resort.
A must-visit stop on the Opal Coast!
Le Touquet Beach
Fine sandy beach
Le Touquet needs no introduction. Highly popular among a wealthier crowd, Le Touquet beach, stretching over 10 km, is adorned with small colorful beach huts.
Hiking paths, starting from the beach, will lead you to discover more secluded and less frequented spots in the dunes.
Dogs are not allowed on this beach.
Hardelot Beach
Fine sandy beach
The 3 km beach of fine sand in the heart of the regional natural park welcomes tourists from all over the continent every year.
Favored by owners of second homes, the town of Hardelot-Plage offers sporting activities such as windsurfing, kite-surfing, catamaran sailing, and horseback riding.
You will enjoy the breathtaking view from the top of the dunes, and its castle to visit.
Bray-Dunes Beach
Fine sandy beach
The last seaside resort before Belgium, Bray-Dunes beach regularly offers entertainment, children’s games, and water activities. The town’s Tourist Office offers rentals of beach cabins, deck chairs, and bicycles.
Hikers will enjoy the dunes, while sports enthusiasts will appreciate the space for beach sports such as land sailing or kite surfing.
Bray-Dunes beach holds historical traces: at low tide, you’ll have the chance to discover shipwrecks from a history marked in the region.
Oye Plage Beach
Fine sandy beach
Oye Plage beach, Les Ecardines, is one of the most natural beaches on the Opal Coast.
Bordered by a protected wetland area, le Platier de Oye, which you can explore through hikes offered by the tourist office and the house in the dune, will introduce you to migratory birds and a preserved, rare flora.
There are no buildings or artificial elements on this beach, just pure nature.
Animals are allowed on Oye Plage beach, outside of swimming hours.
Ambleteuse Beach
Fine sandy beach
Halfway between the two caps (Blanc Nez and Gris Nez), Ambleteuse beach is unique due to the presence of the Fort d’Ambleteuse, built by Vauban in 1680.
On the route of the GR20, which attracts thousands of tourists every year, the beach is made up of pebbles at high tide and fine sand at low tide.
The Slack loop, one of the most popular hikes in the region, can be accessed from this beach, heading towards Wimereux.
A great spot for kite-surfing enthusiasts at high tide and in strong winds.
Petit Fort Philippe Beach (Gravelines)
Fine sandy beach
Renowned for its clear water and very fine sand, Petit Fort Philippe beach, near the town of Gravelines, is one of the 4-star certified nautical resorts.
Water sports are therefore well-developed here: Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand-up Paddleboarding, Long Walking in the Sea, and more…
The small marina is popular with both tourists and locals. The beach and sea wall’s configuration is ideal for running, and numerous events are organized during the peak season.
Malo les bains Beach
Fine sandy beach
Nicknamed The Queen of the Northern Beaches, Malo les Bains beach is the favorite beach of the people of Lille (just 1 hour by car).
Like most beaches in the North, it offers a variety of water activities, colorful beach huts, large spaces for children, and walking or biking trails. A wide bike path runs along the sea wall, providing a remarkable promenade!
The villas that surround the sea wall are magnificent, and there is no shortage of restaurants and shops on this beach of Dunkirk.
Calais Beach
Fine sandy beach
Renovated in 2021, the Calais waterfront delights both young and old. In one of the largest cities on the Opal Coast, Calais beach is favored by families due to the frequent presence of shallow “water pools,” allowing children to play in the water without venturing into the sea.
A large children’s playground and an Olympic-sized Skate Park make this beach unique.
The 2.3-kilometer promenade offers nonstop entertainment. The walk is particularly enjoyable, especially if you have the chance to climb onto the back of the Dragon of Calais.
A half-day at Calais-Beach is a must during your trip to the Opal Coast!
Boulogne sur Mer Beach
Fine sandy beach
Perhaps not the most beautiful beach for swimming on the Opal Coast, but an unmissable spot during your visit to the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Here, you can find most of the classic sports activities of the region (Land sailing, Kite-surfing, etc.).
The General San Martin Promenade is recommended: Whether you’re on foot or by bike, take a stroll between the Nausicaà center and the land sailing club, while enjoying the sea view.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the English coastline!
Audresselles Beach
1 pebble beach and 1 fine sandy beach
The beach of Audresselles is the closest beach to England. In fact, it consists of two beaches (unsupervised) separated by a rocky area (The Iron Coast).
Small, natural beaches favored by purists seeking to avoid the crowded tourist beaches and shops.
However, be cautious of potentially dangerous currents, as these beaches are not supervised.
Sangatte / Blériot Beach
Fine sandy beach
Located between Calais and Cap Blanc-Nez, Sangatte Beach offers a 2-kilometer long seawall, perfect for lovely strolls.
It has a strong following of Kite-surfing enthusiasts and other wind sports due to its favorable conditions (powerful winds and currents).
In high season, bathers enjoy this beach, just a short distance from the city of Calais.
For sports enthusiasts, a hike begins from Sangatte: The Boucle du Cap Blanc-Nez.
Stella Plage Beach
Fine sandy beach
Stella Beach, just a few kilometers from Le Touquet, offers <strong>a beautiful sandy beach</strong> with lifeguards, easily accessible thanks to its large parking lot just a few meters from the beach.
Beautiful trails start from Stella Beach (<strong>The Mayville Dunes</strong> and <strong>The Stella-Merlimont Dunes</strong>).
Don’t miss “Croc à Marie,” <strong>a beautiful white dune overlooking the coastline</strong>, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view.
Dogs are allowed on a leash in the unsupervised areas.
Tardinghem Beach
Fine sandy beach
Also known as Plage du Châtelet, the beach of Tardinghem is unique for its thousands of mussel posts, visible at low tide, as well as a 37-meter shipwreck (a British Army trawler), which has been visible at high tide for almost a century.
Parking is relatively easy, even during the summer season.
Don’t miss the magnificent view of Cap Blanc-Nez and the pleasant walks amidst nature.
Merlimont Beach
Fine sandy beach
Located to the south of Le Touquet, Merlimont Beach offers activities such as land sailing and beach fishing.
Bordered by large villas nearly a century old and a promenade-dike perfect for summer walks, it is favored by locals and is known for being a clean beach.
Quieter and more natural than other “larger” beaches of the Côte d’Opale, it is perfect for a relaxing day.
Equihen Beach
Fine sandy beach
Renowned for its wild and authentic atmosphere, Equihen Beach is a fine sand beach where enthusiasts of beach fishing gather every day.
Swimming is supervised in the summer, and the setting is perfect for contemplating a sunset in peace, whether as a couple or with family.
Parking is easy, and the beach sees fewer visitors compared to other beaches in the region during summer.
At low tide, you can even reach Hardelot by the sea.
Zuydcoote Beach
Fine sandy beach
A few kilometers from the Belgian border, Zuydcoote Beach is loved by nature and wide open space enthusiasts.
Hundreds of walkers gather there every year to hike through the dunes.
No promenade, no shops, and few tourists—this beach is one of the best for relaxation and immersing oneself in nature.
Guided tours are regularly organized by the Permanent Environmental Initiative Center.
Le Portel Beach
Fine sandy beach
A 1.5-kilometer beach of fine sand where nature lovers and sports enthusiasts gather.
Let yourself be tempted by the various trails available, especially the climb to Mont de Couppes, which offers a remarkable panorama of Portel Beach.
At low tide, reach the Heurt Fort and the Alprech Fort via the old customs officers’ path.