The most beautiful villages and towns on the Opal Coast

The sea, beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, landscapes that inspired great painters… Bathed in a thousand opaline shades, the waves of this coastline never stop working their spell. The iconic cliffs of the Two Capes draw more and more visitors every year. The food, the authenticity, the cultural richness of the most charming towns and the most beautiful villages of the Opal Coast give you all the more reason to fall for this unique coastline. We couldn't list them all, so let's discover 5 of the most beautiful villages on the Opal Coast in this article.

Montreuil-sur-Mer

There's no sea here today… Silt built up and the Canche silted over, so the water level gradually dropped. The only place you'll still find the sea in Montreuil is in its name! That dates back to the time when the town really was a port, with a prized maritime outlet for exporting cloth. Throughout its rich history, the town was reshaped, and its walls were extended with a citadel that replaced the medieval castle.

Discover a fortified town you enter through majestic gates. Wander through this city, where narrow lanes and old buildings bear witness to its medieval past.

The Age of Enlightenment brought prosperity and architectural change, with the construction of religious buildings and grand townhouses — so many witnesses through the ages that today make up the cultural wealth of the town, including:

The Citadel

The citadel is a listed historic monument and a Natura 2000 site, as it provides an important hibernation spot for rare and endangered bats.

L’abbatiale Saint-Saulve

Earthquake, fire — nothing has spared this former pilgrimage church, of which only the tower and its 18th-century lantern belfry remain today.

The ramparts walk

From the Citadel esplanade, enjoy this 3 km loop offering magnificent views over the lower town and the town's impressive military history.

La maison dite du pot d’étain

The oldest house in Montreuil, an example of 16th-century architecture.

5 lanes and alleyways

• ruelle de la Vignette ;
• ruelle d’Enguinehaut ;
• ruelle du Bouillon ;
• ruelle Deray ;
• passage de la Caponnière.

Did you know?
Victor Hugo kept memories of his time in Montreuil-sur-Mer, which he later wove into his major work, Les Misérables. A little girl coming out of the Saint-Saulve church inspired his character Fantine.

Audresselles

The charming little village of Audresselles has everything going for it! Right in the heart of the Two Capes, it's an appealing seaside resort with two beaches: one further north, wild, at the foot of the cliffs. The other, to the south, stretches to Ambleteuse and is far better suited to swimming or strolling. The two beaches are naturally separated by a rocky headland the locals call the "côte de fer" (iron coast). It's a much-loved village, kept unspoilt and authentic. You can spot plenty of fishermen's cottages and typical whitewashed longhouses here too. Sitting between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais, perfectly placed on the Strait of Dover, Audresselles offers plenty of activities:

• shore fishing to gather mussels on the côte de fer ;
• walks and hikes along the GR 120 long-distance trail ;
• dining and tasting local produce ;
• the fisherman's trail, a signposted route through the village, dotted with information boards on local history and life in days gone by.

Did you know?
The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Audresselles has a peculiarity. It was built in the 12th century to restore the Christian faith after the arrival of the Vikings and their Norse beliefs. The etymology of the neighbouring villages, incidentally, traces back to the names of Scandinavian gods: Odin (Audinghen), Loki (Locquinghen), and so on.

Wissant

Nestled between the two capes, with its long fine-sand beach linking Cap Gris-Nez to the west and Cap Blanc-Nez to the east, Wissant draws large numbers of visitors every year. Here too you'll find the architectural hallmarks of these coastal resorts, with a mix of traditional fishermen's houses and villas built in the 19th century. Wissant beach is well known as a hugely popular kitesurfing spot, with great waves and strong winds.
It's an outstanding site for walking, between dunes and cliffs, and nature lovers will be delighted. And if you're quiet and observant, you may spot the small seal colonies and the many bird species that have made this protected environment their home.

Do you know the bearded virgin of Wissant?
Push open the door of the church of Saint-Nicolas and you'll find a strange crucifix inside. In place of the traditional Christ figure stands Saint Wilgefortis, a female saint depicted with a beard. Why does this young woman, who was ultimately crucified after being accused of witchcraft, wear a beard? Several stories and beliefs exist. She remains a venerated saint nonetheless, one people would turn to for help when children were struggling to learn to walk.

Wimereux

Wimereux the charming! The town's reputation speaks for itself. The elegance and appeal of this resort make it the pearl of the Opal Coast and the ideal spot to discover its charms. A family-friendly resort, the seafront promenade, just under 5 km long, offers a magnificent walk with the sea and beach stretching out on one side, and on the other a postcard-worthy scene of white-and-blue beach huts and villas in art deco or Anglo-Norman style. The town centre has plenty of shops and businesses that keep it wonderfully lively. And the town's appeal doesn't stop there:

• The gardens of the Baie de Saint-Jean (a small green corner perfect for quiet contemplation).
• The many sporting activities: golf, sailing, tennis, horse riding, and more.
• Twice-weekly market: every Tuesday and Friday morning, discover local produce!
• The villa walk : wander the streets and step back in time through the incredible stories of its stately villas.

Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme

In the heart of the Somme bay, facing Le Crotoy, Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme has plenty going for it and is well worth a stop! This is a fishing village, where men historically went out to sea mainly to catch shrimp. From that bygone era, the well-kept, flower-filled, colourful houses that give the streets their particular character remain today.
The quaysides make for a pleasant stroll. They're named after former warship captains, and you can admire the many Belle Époque villas from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which sprang up when the wealthy were looking for the ideal seaside retreat.
The ramparts and other historic monuments are a reminder that Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme is also a medieval town. The architectural details and buildings around you reveal the richness of this town's heritage.
Finally, a symbolic spot not to be missed: the Saint-Valéry chapel. It's impossible not to be captivated by this place. It was precisely on the site of the chapel that the earliest remains of a Gallic civilisation were found. The hermit monk Gualaric (also written Walaric, Walric, and ultimately Valery) then came to evangelise the region around 611. He settled on this promontory, and many followers were drawn by his virtue and his gift for healing ailments. A chapel was built after the solitary monk's death. It was restored in the 19th century into the form we know today. Over the years, sailors came here to leave numerous ex-votos in gratitude for their survival.

So here are 5 towns and villages that will make you fall for this coastline. You can probably guess there are plenty more! If you'd like to discover our beautiful region over a weekend on the Opal Coast, you've already got a few ideas to start with😉.