The crossing of the bay between Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Le Crotoy, at low tide with a guide. Expect 2.5 to 3 hours of walking barefoot in the sand, through channels and mudflats. It’s the most immersive experience the bay offers, and the one our travelers remember the most.
The most beautiful walks in the Baie de Somme
The Baie de Somme is a haven of countryside, light, sea air, and nature to discover, rediscover, and in any case to visit. And among the most beautiful things to do here, there is quite simply: walking. Because the bay has to be experienced with your legs. You have to see it change. You have to feel it. You have to discover it on foot, sometimes by bike, sometimes on horseback, sometimes even by boat, but always with the idea that here, the landscapes move, breathe, and do not reveal themselves all at once.
After more than thirty years in this beautiful region where I was born, here are the walks that, in my opinion, truly tell something about the area. With routes, prices, and my practical advice.
Walking routes, our favorite itineraries
To get straight to the heart of the bay, there are two towns facing each other: Saint-Valery-sur-Somme on one side, Le Crotoy on the other.
Le Crotoy is the more popular, more seaside-oriented one, with the large sandy beach and the sunsets. Saint-Valery is cuter, more picturesque, richer in heritage, with a kind of tourism revival that suits it quite well. Locals will tell you that the advantage of Le Crotoy is the sunset, and that the advantage of Saint-Valery is that it’s prettier. After that, I’ll let you decide depending on what you like.
And in between the two, of course, there is the bay.
Crossing the Bay
One of the most powerful walks to do here is to cross the bay between Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Ideally, you should go with a guide to really discover it, or find a local who’s kind enough to share it with you. Because tides are not something to take lightly, and it’s much more enjoyable to enjoy the moment than to play the poorly prepared adventurer.
This crossing is the quintessential bay experience. You are in it. Not next to it, not above it, not from a photo. Truly in it.
And as a little anecdote: many people think that William the Conqueror set off from Normandy to conquer England, but what many don’t know is that he actually departed from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. The Norman left from Picardy. That’s not insignificant.
Practical info
- Duration: 2h30 to 3h
- Difficulty: easy, accessible to children from 4 years old
- Price: around €29/adult, €10/child
- Recommended guide: Max en baie
- Period: April to October, depending on tide coefficients
- What to bring: roll-up trousers, windbreaker, towel for your feet
Tides and safety: check tide schedules on maree.info before each outing. Always arrive at low tide, never rising tide. And if you have the chance, also check out spring tides (coefficient > 100), which are impressive to experience in the bay.
The heartfelt walk in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
If there’s one walk I particularly love, and strongly recommend, it’s the one in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Here, it’s something very simple, very beautiful, very true.
We of course invite you to explore the old town of Saint-Valery, very charming, with its medieval heritage that is truly interesting. And to do what I would call a “walk of the heart,” starting from the center of Saint-Valery, from Rue de la Ferté — a bit like its Champs-Élysées — walking through the old town, going past the church, passing through the Jeanne d’Arc gate, then continuing up to the sailors’ chapel.
The Jeanne d’Arc gate bears this name because Joan of Arc passed through here before being taken to Rouen to be judged and burned. And beyond the history, what you should know is that from this gate, you have an absolutely wonderful view over the bay and over Le Crotoy facing it.
That climb alone is beautiful. You can feel that the town has something. You feel that it has lived, that it still lives, and that it knows very well how to let itself be admired.
Then you go back down toward the bay and continue walking to the Mouton — more precisely, the Buvette du Mouton — a very pleasant place where you can reach the beach and enjoy the sunset, because here too, for the most part, you can see it.
Honestly, if you were to do just one walk in Saint-Valery, this would already be a wonderful way to understand what the Baie de Somme is.
Practical info
- Duration: around 1h30
- Distance: ~6 km (loop)
- Difficulty: easy, a few climbs in the old town
- Free, accessible to everyone
The walk from Le Hourdel to Cayeux-sur-Mer
Now, if we only talk about the two main towns, Saint-Valery and Le Crotoy, we almost forget everything around them. And among the very beautiful places to discover, there is Le Hourdel.
Le Hourdel is a really charming little place. You can get there by bike from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, or of course by car. You park in the lot at the end of the village, and I strongly recommend going all the way to the tip of Le Hourdel, turning left to park, then walking peacefully.
Once you’re at Le Hourdel, of course, you can go and observe the seals. But beyond the seals, there is already a very beautiful walk along the pebble beach, with the old overturned bunker, the sea air, and that feeling of being at the end of something.
And for the more adventurous, you can walk from Le Hourdel to Cayeux-sur-Mer. That is a truly beautiful walk. You follow the coastline, gradually discovering a different atmosphere, another seaside town, another way of experiencing the coast.
Cayeux-sur-Mer is lively and popular, with various bars, a different architecture, a seafront that feels a bit more like the Opal Coast — rougher, slightly weathered in an aesthetic sense, but still very pleasant to enjoy. And here, you’ll find those charming little beach huts that you can go see a bit further along the coast.
Practical info
- Distance: ~6 km along the pebble beach
- Duration: 1h30 to 2h (one way)
- Difficulty: easy, rocky terrain, good shoes required
- Free parking at Le Hourdel
- Return: on foot or park a car in advance in Cayeux-sur-Mer
Walking in the Marquenterre
Around the bay, a bit further north, you reach the Marquenterre, a true sanctuary for birdwatching. And if you enjoy walking through open, peaceful landscapes, with nature, wind, birds, and light, you’re in the right place.
Marquenterre is a walk in itself. You come here to observe, to slow down, to watch. It’s a place that lets you discover another side of the Baie de Somme — more focused on the reserve, on wildlife, on what passes by, flies, stops, and leaves again.
And if you want to go further, there’s also the Bird House, in the heart of the bay, for enthusiasts — those who like to learn more, understand what they’re seeing, and then head back out with their binoculars or simply their eyes to identify what they encounter.
Practical info
- Duration: allow 2 to 3 hours for the full route
- Price (Marquenterre Park): €12/adult, €8/child
- Binoculars recommended
- Open all year round
Going further to Mers-les-Bains
If you go a bit further, you can reach Mers-les-Bains (~30 minutes by car from Saint-Valery). People often think the cliffs start in Normandy. But no, my friends, they begin in Picardy. And that’s something quite incredible to see when you discover the area. The Belle Époque seafront is well worth a visit.
Horse riding in the Baie de Somme, prices and tips
You may also feel like going horseback riding. Here again, there are several ways to do it.
You can head north, toward the Marquenterre, or a bit further south, to Lieu Dieu, more inland, in the heart of the bay, on the border between Normandy and Picardy, with a large 100-hectare estate where you can ride through the forest, within the estate, take riding lessons, and discover the bay from a different perspective.
When I’ve ridden in the Marquenterre, you find yourself on the beach, hair in the wind, galloping, with sand and water flying as you move along the shore. It’s an incredible, unique experience, to try once, twice, or even more.
And if you’re looking for something different, more inland, in the countryside of the bay, you can go to Lieudieu. There, you can go on forest rides, explore a 100-hectare estate, move between walk, trot, and gallop, and find yourself connected both with the animal — the horse — and with your surroundings, your friends, and everything you discover along the way.
In short, if it’s an experience you’ve never tried, now is the time to think about it.
Practical info – Horse riding at LieuDieu
- 1-hour ride: from €38/person
- 2-hour ride: €60/person
- Level: beginners welcome, from 6 years old
- Booking: contact us directly at the estate by email (contact@lieudieu.com) or phone at +33 3 22 30 92 23
- All year round, by reservation
And if you want to go beyond a simple ride, our equestrian stays include accommodation, full board, and lessons, for 7 days / 6 nights, for children, teenagers, and adults.
Boat trips in the Baie de Somme, prices and options
The bay seen from the water is something else entirely. You see the sandbanks differently, you get closer to the seals, and you better understand why this estuary is so unique.
Le Commandant Charcot
The Commandant Charcot, a true institution of the Baie de Somme, something to do, discover, or rediscover. If you’re looking for something faster, with bigger boats, more direct, more “let’s go for it,” it’s a very good option.
Practical info
- Price: €15 to €25
- Duration: 1h15 to 2h
- Departure: Saint-Valery-sur-Somme or Le Crotoy
- Booking recommended in summer
- Contact: 03 22 60 74 68
Christophe and La Canoterie
You also have Christophe and La Canoterie, who can take you out on a smaller boat. And if you’re looking for something with a bit more charm, something more elegant, more intimate, it’s also a great option. Christophe’s boat follows a completely different approach. There are fewer people, it’s calmer, more delicate, and it often appeals to those looking for something less “mainstream outing” and more personal.
Both options are good. Honestly, it mostly depends on what you prefer. Either something faster and more institutional, or something smaller and more charming.
Practical info
- Price: from €40/person
- Duration: 1h15
- Departure: Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
- Booking: 06 71 78 22 37
By canoe
Christophe also offers canoe excursions, more like Canadian-style canoes. You’ll find yourself in beautiful canoes, with several people, allowing you to discover the bay differently. It’s not strictly “seal watching” in the pure sense, but it fully contributes to the experience. Because the more you see the bay from different perspectives, the more you understand it. From the land, from the beach, from a boat, from a canoe — everything changes, and that’s also what makes the Baie de Somme so interesting.
Practical info
- Price: from €35/person
- Duration: 2 to 3h
- Booking: 06 71 78 22 37
For boat trips specifically dedicated to seal watching, check out our complete guide.
Discovering the bay by bike
The bay is meant to be walked, yes, but it can also be explored very well by bike.
You can ride from Saint-Valery to Le Hourdel, cycle around Saint-Valery, or even go as far as Le Crotoy. There are absolutely wonderful cycling paths to discover the different areas. It’s a great way to see more without rushing, to keep the wind, the light, the scents of the bay, while moving a bit faster than on foot.
Honestly, for those who enjoy it, cycling is a beautiful way to discover the Baie de Somme.
Practical info
- Recommended route: Saint-Valery > Le Hourdel > return (~16 km, flat)
- Bike rental: at the exit of the parking lot at the entrance to the town
Honestly, if you want to understand the bay, you have to walk it. Or explore it on horseback, by boat, by bike. There isn’t just one way to get around. The bay is vast, and everything connected to it is wide enough to let you choose your own pace.
And that’s probably why people come back.
And if you’re looking for a base to explore the bay, discover our accommodations at Domaine LieuDieu.
Frequently asked questions
This guide was written by Tristan Maillard, the next generation of the Lieudieu estate in the Baie de Somme. Having spent more than 30 years in the region, he welcomes travelers each year in search of nature, horseback riding, and unusual stays.