Opal Coast
Visit Ambleteuse
The village at the mouth of the Slack, between fort and Belle Époque
- Sea fort
- Slack Bay
- Belle Époque
- Village
Ambleteuse in brief
- How long
- Half a day: the fort, Slack Bay and a walk past the villas.
- When to go
- All year round. Slack Bay is at its best in spring, when the birds come back.
- Parking
- On the seafront, free outside the summer season. In July and August, arrive before eleven.
- From
- Lille 1 h 30Paris 2 h 50Boulogne sur Mer 15 min
The village of Ambleteuse sits at the mouth of the Slack. It draws visitors every year for its architecture and unique history, and for its proximity to Cap Gris-Nez. Several important historical figures passed through Ambleteuse, among them Julius Caesar, Henry VIII and the Marquis de Vauban, who built a fort at the river mouth. The harbour was built under Napoleon I before the bourgeoisie took over the village to build their villas.
The 3 highlights
What to do in Ambleteuse?
Le fort d'Ambleteuse
A Vauban fort sitting on the rocks at the mouth of the Slack. The symbol of the village.
La baie de la Slack
Dunes, salt marshes and birds, right by the fort. The contrast with the beach is striking.
Le musée de la Seconde Guerre mondiale
A collection of vehicles and uniforms, in a village that lived through the Occupation at close range.
And also
- Saint-Michel church
- The Second World War Museum
- The Belle Époque villas (19th century)
3 activities to book
What activities to do in Ambleteuse?
Our favourite
To walk out to the fort
Le fort d'Ambleteuse à marée basse
At low tide, Fort Vauban can be reached on foot across the beach; the association restoring it opens it up for visits on some summer days.
1 h · tide-dependent
For a nature walk
Les dunes de la Slack
A protected site between Ambleteuse and Wimereux, with paths through the dunes and the Slack estuary.
1 to 2 h · waymarked path
For the rocks at low tide
La pêche à pied
The rocks uncovered by the tide, between the fort and Audresselles. Check the size limits and seasons allowed.
At low tide · simple gear
Our 2 restaurants
Where to eat in Ambleteuse?
Our favourite
To eat a few steps from the fort
Le Fort des Caps
At the start of rue du Maréchal Foch, the village's main street, a few minutes from the beach.
1 rue du Maréchal Foch, Ambleteuse
To stay in the village centre
La Cave du Fort
Further up the same street, halfway between the church and the seafront.
23 rue du Maréchal Foch, Ambleteuse
Our 3 places to stay
Where to stay in Ambleteuse?
Our favourite
To sleep facing the fort
Le Fort Vauban
A seafront address, a few steps from the beach and the monument.
Accommodation · Ambleteuse
To be on the dune side
La Bassure de Baas
On the Slack Bay side, quiet, within walking distance of the village.
Accommodation · Ambleteuse
For the simplicity of a hotel
Hôtel Des Argousiers
The only hotel address in the village, handy for a one-night stop between the capes and Boulogne.
Hotel · Ambleteuse
Getting there and parking
By car on the D940, the road that follows the coast between Boulogne and Wissant. One of the loveliest roads on the coast.
Ambleteuse is best explored on foot once you're there: the fort, the beach and the village all sit within a ten-minute radius.
The questions people ask before coming
Can you visit inside Ambleteuse fort?
The fort is open to visitors during organised openings; the rest of the time it's approached from the beach at low tide. Check with the tourist office before you come.
How long does it take to visit Ambleteuse?
Half a day is enough for the fort, Slack Bay and a walk past the villas. A perfect stop between Wimereux and the Two Capes.
Is Ambleteuse beach supervised?
Swimming is supervised in summer within the patrolled area. The rocks and currents at the mouth of the Slack call for caution outside it.
Information about the town
After the bourgeoisie arrived in Ambleteuse in the late 19th century, fine villas were built: Villa Marie Stella, Villa Le Bon Gîte, Villa Gay Cottage, Villa Le Figuier, the villas Les Flots and Rayon Vert, and the villas Brise de Mai and Brises d'Avril. These buildings are listed as cultural heritage.
Fort Vauban and the villa of architect Louis Bonnier are, in turn, listed as historic monuments. Fort Vauban is sometimes mistakenly called Fort Mahon, an error dating from 1840, from an administrative mix-up when documents were copied out. Continue your trip along the Opal Coast with the villages of Audresselles, Wimereux, Audinghen and Tardinghen, all close to Ambleteuse.
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