Le Touquet Paris-Plage Le Touquet Paris-Plage The “Monaco of the North” as it’s been dubbed, was, at the start of the 20th century, the place where the rich, famous and infamous holidayed, from Kings, Queens and Maharajas to Winston Churchill. Cole Porter wrote “Anything Goes” here, and the town’s casino inspired Ian Fleming to write Casino Royale. They stayed at the swankiest hotels, like the Westminster which is still there, or The Royal Picardy which was the biggest hotel the world had ever seen, 120 lounges, 500 bedrooms and 50 apartments of up to 10 rooms, each with their own swimming pool (it was largely destroyed during WWII). Much loved by Parisians, Le Touquet’s grandeur is faded but the traces of its glitzy and glamorous past are evident, and with 365 days of sporting and cultural events, exhibitions and fairs every year – there’s always plenty to see and do. Hardelot The endless pristine sandy beaches of Hardelot, where aviation legend Louis Bleriot perfected his flying skills, are never packed. Great for families (‘Kid’ resort classification), sports galore from canoeing and sand yachting to horse-riding and an excellent golf course. There’s also a chateau, once owned by English linoleum magnate Sir John Hare in the mid 1800’s (he refashioned it in a pseudo- Gothic style), and the rooms are sumptuously decorated. His neighbour in nearby Condette, Charles Dickens, one of the greatest writers of his era, was a frequent visitor. There’s also a Shakespearian style theatre which the late Queen Elizabeth II said was “amazing”. The tranquil seaside town has plenty of little boutiques and restaurants, an artisan biscuit workshop, delicious ice cream parlours and vast mansion houses. Art Deco market, Le Touquet Wimereux Cap Blanc Nez ©Yannick Cadart Colonne de la Grande Armée ©Bastien Pradeau-Pas-de-Calais Tourisme Hardelot-plage ©A.Chaput Pas-de-Calais Tourisme Norman villas of the Belle Epoque era. Napoleon Bonaparte developed the town intended as a port for his Grand Army to invade England. Now it attracts beach lovers and food lovers – the Art Deco Atlantic hotel with its superb bistro and Michelin starred restaurant is a big lure. Canadian John McCrae died here in 1918 and is buried in the town cemetery. McCrae, the author of the haunting poem “In Flanders Field,” is honoured on Armistice Day, 11th November when children in local schools light candles in his memory and read his poem out loud. A few kilometres away, Wissant’s beach has long been popular with the locals including President Charles de Gaulle (dressed in suit and tie to sit on the beach) and his family (his wife Yvonne was from nearby Calais). The Opal Coast Cliffs At Audinghem discover the Jurassic Era Cap Gris-Nez – Grey Nose Cliff, the closest point on the French Coast to England. Just 19 miles from Dover and a landmark for cross-Channel swimmers to aim for. Wimereux and Wissant Wimereux, just a few kilometres from the great city of Boulogne-sur-Mer is an unusual town with its whimsical, colourful Anglo- Le Touquet Just a few kilometres away, the tiny village of Escalles by the cliff known as Cap Blanc- Nez – White Nose Cliff, has outstanding views across the countryside, the coast and the English Channel, especially at sunset. 20 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 21
