Complete Guide to Visiting the BayWhat to do in the Baie de Somme?

First of all, what’s important, if one day you come to discover our beautiful region that is the bay, is to know which base you will choose. To keep it simple and go straight to the heart of the bay, there are three main places to naturally discover: Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, Le Crotoy, and Le Hourdel.

Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Le Crotoy face each other. They are two major gateways, but with very different atmospheres. Le Crotoy is more popular, more seaside-oriented, more practical too, with its large sandy beach and that small advantage locals often mention: the sunset. Saint-Valery is something else. It is more picturesque, cuter, richer in history, more medieval as well. The town has been experiencing a kind of revival in recent years based on its heritage, and honestly, you can feel it.

Locals will tell you that the advantage of Le Crotoy is the sunset, and the advantage of Saint-Valery is that it’s prettier. After that, I’ll let you decide depending on what you like. I have my opinion, but everyone sees things their own way.

And then there is Le Hourdel, which is a bit the end of the line. A very pleasant, simple, charming little place, accessible by car or bike from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. There, you already begin to enter another bay, more open, wilder, more direct.

Among the first things to do in the Baie de Somme is seal watching. It has become one of the great images of the region, and for once, it’s not overrated at all.

Le Hourdel is one of the best places to see them. You can park at the end of the village, walk toward the tip, take your time, and above all bring binoculars. Otherwise, you might be a bit far, and it’s always better to clearly see these charming seals resting peacefully on the sandbanks. The best advice is to go at low tide. At high tide, it’s more complicated. Well, those are the beginners’ mistakes. Thanks to me, you’ll already avoid that.

Practical info

• 
Where : Pointe du Hourdel (free parking, 15-minute walk)
• When : 1h30 before low tide
• Best period : April to September (harbor seals), November to March (grey seals)
• How many : it depends, but you’ll always spot a few
• Binoculars : highly recommended

What is also very beautiful at Le Hourdel is the walk itself. The pebble beach, the sea air, the overturned old bunker, the lighthouse, and that feeling of being in front of something very vast, very alive, very simple too. For the more adventurous, you can even walk from Le Hourdel to Cayeux-sur-Mer, which is a wonderful way to extend the moment.

Seal excursions by boat or kayak

f you want to observe seals differently, you can also do it from the water. There, I gladly recommend the Commandant Charcot, a true institution of the bay, or La Canoterie, which offers something more intimate, with a smaller, more elegant, more charming boat. Both have their appeal. One is more of a “big machine,” the other more delicate. It’s a matter of taste.

For a boat trip, expect between €15 and €25/adult for the Commandant Charcot (45 min to 2h tours), and from €40/adult for La Canoterie (1h15 to 2h tours).

To learn everything about the best spots, seasons, and excursions, check out our complete guide to seal watching in the Baie de Somme.

The bay must be walked. It’s probably the best way to understand it.

Of course, there is the great crossing between Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, which remains a powerful experience. Ideally, go with a guide. Not just for safety, even though tides matter, but also because you understand better what’s under your feet when someone explains it.

Expect around €20/adult, 2h30 walking across the bay

Walk in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme

If I had to tell you about a walk I truly love, a heartfelt walk, it’s the one in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. You start from the center, Rue de la Ferté, its little Champs-Élysées, then go up toward the old town. You pass the church, the Jeanne d’Arc gate, and continue to the sailors’ chapel. There, you have a splendid view over the bay and Le Crotoy opposite. Then you go back down toward the bay and continue peacefully to the Buvette du Mouton, where you can have a drink, reach the beach, and enjoy the late-day light. Honestly, that walk already says a lot about the bay.

The Marquenterre Park

Around the bay, a bit further north, you also have the Marquenterre Park, a true sanctuary for birdwatching. There, if you enjoy taking your time, using binoculars, wide open light, and watching species that pass through, stop, and then move on, you’re going to love it. Plan roughly 2 to 3 hours for a proper visit, and around €12 for an adult ticket. Depending on the season, you can spot herons, spoonbills, storks, pied avocets, common shelducks, as well as many waders and migratory ducks.

And if you’re more the type who wants to discover the bay in a different way, there’s also cycling, horseback riding, canoeing, walks inland, or along the coastline. It’s a region that always offers several ways to do the same thing, and that’s also what makes it so interesting.

Horseback riding in the Baie de Somme

And then there’s another way to discover the Baie de Somme that is, honestly, well worth it: on horseback. Here, everything slows down completely you’re lower, calmer, more connected and the bay takes on a whole new dimension.

On the Marquenterre side, you’ll find a riding center offering excursions through dunes, pine forests, and wide open spaces, with that almost surreal feeling of being alone in the middle of the landscape. And if you’re looking for something a bit more “inland,” as I like to say, there’s also Lieudieu, with its 100 hectares, its horses, forests, and trails, where you can go for rides, take lessons, or simply enjoy the estate in a different way. In both cases, whether you’re a beginner or already comfortable, it’s quite an incredible experience to discover the bay from another perspective — calmer, deeper — and honestly, it changes everything.

• Marquenterre riding center: expect around €45 to €70 for a 1.5 to 2-hour ride
• At Lieudieu: expect around €35 to €60 depending on the duration and type of ride

We’ve written a complete guide to the best walks in the Baie de Somme. And if you’re looking for an all-inclusive horse riding stay, we might have just what you need: check out our equestrian stays.

If you’re only coming for three days, maybe it’s because you haven’t yet thought enough, hoped enough, or fully believed in everything this beautiful region has to offer. But let’s assume so. If you’re only here for three days, you need at least something to whet your appetite — and above all, make you want to come back.

Day 1

For us, the bay starts with Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. It’s our natural starting point, our way of understanding and experiencing it. So if I had to spend three days in the Baie de Somme, I’d begin there. First instinct upon arrival: a restaurant. And God knows there are some very good ones to discover. Le Schorre if you’re looking for something more upscale, almost Michelin-style in spirit, a more refined experience. Le Jardin Italien for a great Italian option. Le Jardin for a seasonal brasserie.
And then the Buvette du Mouton, simpler, more about grilled food, but with an exceptional location.

If I were only staying three days, I’d definitely book one or two restaurants during the trip — that’s for sure.

Then I’d take the time to explore Saint-Valery. The old town, the sailors’ chapel, the quays, Rue de la Ferté, the small shops, the hidden corners. Honestly, you won’t be disappointed.

Day 2

The second highlight would be Le Hourdel. You can go there to walk, to see the seals, to eat mussels or grab a crêpe before your stroll. With binoculars, at low tide, it’s even better. You quickly get hooked on it too.

And then there’s the Saint-Valery market, which I really like. You can buy flowers, dried flowers, vegetables, and I strongly recommend ordering the famous wood-fired red chicken.

We also have our own little tradition: going to eat a nem while looking out over the bay. Yes, a nem. And honestly, it’s just as much a part of the trip as anything else.

Day 3

Finally, if you have a bit of time, go cycling, try canoeing, or take the Baie de Somme steam train. That, you really shouldn’t miss. It’s fantastic. Old locomotives, old carriages but only the charming side of it all. We even took it once for a wedding, with photos in the middle of the bay. So yes, absolutely do it.

If you’d like to see the full itinerary in more detail, we’ve written a complete guide: a 3-day weekend in the Baie de Somme.

If I had to plan an unusual weekend in the Baie de Somme, I wouldn’t hesitate for long. I’d head to Lieu Dieu.

Why? Because it’s a place where you can truly reconnect with yourself. It’s a hotel village where you have the independence of a house, whether you come as a couple, with four people, twelve, or even twenty. And above all, you can choose from different types of accommodation: on the water, above the water, on stilts, in a former abbey, in a caravan, in a yurt…

The estate covers around a hundred hectares, with horses, wide open spaces, and the chance to discover another side of the region — a bit more inland, a bit closer to Normandy. It’s also a great base for exploring differently. And there’s something many people don’t realize: people often think the cliffs start in Normandy. Well no, my friends, they already begin in Picardy, around Mers-les-Bains. And that’s right nearby.

Discover our unusual accommodations.

A romantic weekend in the Baie de Somme

And if I were to take it a step further, an unusual weekend in the Baie de Somme is also a very, very good idea for a romantic getaway. Honestly, it has everything you need. Wide open spaces, peace and quiet, incredible light, sunsets, walks for two without seeing many people, and that timeless feeling that really helps you disconnect.

Once again, I’ll come back to Lieu Dieu, because it’s exactly the kind of place that lends itself perfectly to this. You have your own little house, your own space, sometimes by the water, sometimes more secluded, and that feeling of being a little alone in the world. You can go for a walk together around the estate, cycle to the sea, come back, have a quiet dinner… in short, take your time.

And then there’s everything around it. Getting lost in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, climbing up to the old town, passing through the Jeanne d’Arc gate, walking back down to the quays, ending at the Mouton to watch the sun set. Going to Le Crotoy to enjoy the beach and the evening light. Or simply walking, without any real purpose, along the bay.

Truthfully, you don’t need to do much. That’s exactly what makes it so good. The Baie de Somme, as a couple, is more about a feeling than a schedule. And that’s often when it works best.

To go further: our guide to an unusual weekend in the Baie de Somme.

Alright. Now, the question we can all ask ourselves — because let’s be honest, this is still Picardy — is: what do you do in the Baie de Somme when it rains?

First, book the right place to stay. Choose one with a stove or a fireplace. A hotel with a nice lobby works too. Bring some board games. Because in fact, what’s interesting about the bay is that even when it rains, if you have a well-located house, you can still enjoy an incredible view over the bay or the countryside. And honestly, that’s already a lot.

Next, let’s talk about museums. You have the Bay Museum, the Bird Museum, and more broadly several places that help you understand the region differently. There’s also excellent gastronomy in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, but also in Eu, Mers-les-Bains, Le Tréport, Le Crotoy, Cayeux-sur-Mer, or Le Hourdel.

And you shouldn’t hesitate to go out anyway. Getting a bit wet isn’t a big deal — we’re not made of sugar. You can walk, run, or cycle if the rain isn’t too heavy. The bay under a grey sky has something very beautiful about it — sometimes even more beautiful.

And if you’re looking for something a bit different, I’ll admit a real passion: bowling. It’s not exactly in the bay — more toward Mers-les-Bains — but the Bowl in Café is definitely worth a visit.


Address: 1 Av. des Villes Soeurs, 80350 Mers-les-Bains

In the Baie de Somme, there’s also plenty to discover when it comes to food. First of all, the great classic is salt meadow lamb. It’s incredible. So yes, apologies to the baby lambs — I know they’re cute — but it’s just so good. I really recommend it.

Then there’s fish, seafood, samphire, the famous “elephant ears,” and many other things. It’s also worth knowing that Jules Verne was a great admirer of the Baie de Somme — he stayed here, wrote here, observed here. So if the atmosphere gives you a sense of grandeur or sparks your imagination, you can always tell yourself you’re not the first.

In Saint-Valery, my favorites remain Le Schorre, Le Jardin, Le Jardin Italien, La Buvette du Mouton, and also La Canoterie in a simpler style. I prefer to stay honest and talk about places I really know. We update our list regularly, so don’t hesitate to ask at reception.

• Le Jardin : €€-€€€, 37 Rue de la Ferté, 80230 Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
• Le Jardin italien : €€-€€€, 37 Quai Blavet, 80230 Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
• Le Schorre : €€€€, 2 Quai Lejoille, 80230 Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
• La Canoterie : €€, 16 Quai Jules Verne, 80230 Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
• La buvette du Mouton : €€-€€€, 455 Quai Jeanne d'Arc, 80230 Saint-Valery-sur-Somme

I also recommend heading toward Mers-les-Bains, to Les Mouettes, for great mussels and fresh fish at the foot of the cliffs. And on the Le Tréport side, you can discover La Falaise qui rougit. They’ll call themselves Norman, I’ll remain Picard but in the end, we still share the same stretch of coastline.

The first piece of good news is that the bay is well located. From Paris as well as from Lille, it’s about 2 hours 10 to 2 hours 20 at most, and 1 hour from Amiens. Of course, if there’s traffic, there’s not much I can do for you.

By train, to explore the villages of the bay, you can arrive at Noyelles-sur-Mer and then take a taxi. And to get to Lieu Dieu, it’s easier to stop at Abbeville and then call a taxi.

The best time to visit?

I’ll tell you there’s no such thing as a good or bad situation. Everything is a matter of conditions, to quote Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra. But let’s say that from spring to the end of Indian summer, between September and late October, it’s a particularly beautiful window. Everything is in bloom, it’s beautiful, it’s lovely. Summer is also very pleasant, especially when it’s too hot everywhere else. Here, you can breathe, it’s not unbearably hot, people are friendly, and it’s not necessarily overcrowded. And even winter has its charm, with houses, fireplaces, light, board games, and that feeling of finally slowing down a bit.

What to do in the Baie de Somme with children?

Plenty of things. Walk around Saint-Valery, go cycling, discover birds, stroll along the beaches, see the seals, go to Lieu Dieu, walk along the cliffs… Honestly, there’s more than enough to do without forcing it.

And above all, they love it. Children always find something to do, see, or explore. Between the wide open spaces, the animals, and the walks, they never get bored. And if you really want to make them happy, you can also plan a horse riding camp at Lieu Dieu. That’s the kind of activity that always works: learning, taking care of the horses, riding, improving… and leaving with great memories.

How many days to visit the Baie de Somme?

Two or three days already allow for a very nice first discovery. But if you really want to enjoy it, a week seems like a good minimum. A month and you’ll almost become a local.

Where to stay?

For accommodation, Lieu Dieu is a great option if you’re looking for something a bit different. And since it’s also my home, I can also mention Maison Maa, along the Somme back canal, as a very pleasant place to enjoy the area and its calm.