Issue No. 25

Historic cites, castles & fishing
villages
It doesn't take more than 45 minutes from
Calais to Boulogne-sur-Mer. But, it’s far
better to spend the entire day on this section
of the road. Stop to enjoy a home-cooked
lunch in a friendly, welcoming café and buy
fish fresh from the fishermen who sell direct
from their front rooms and garages in
villages like Audresselles. Wander on the
beach, admire the Napoleonic fort at
Ambleteuse and the Belle Epoque villas at
Wimereux.
This is a part of France that’s hardly known
outside of the region despite being captured
on canvas by J M Turner who loved the ”
opal” quality of light, and Charles Dickens
singing the praises of the area and moving
his family there.
When you do get to Boulogne-sur-Mer, it
too deserves a day of discovery. Head to the
old town, so pretty it looks like a film set.
Don’t miss the incredible decorated crypt of
the Basillica Notre-Dame, the rue du Lille,
lined with quirky boutiques and restaurants.
The 13th century Chateau Museum has
includes an Egyptian collection donated by
renowned Egyptologist François Auguste
Ferdinand Mariette, born in the town and the
founder of the Cairo Museum of Egyptology.
Nausicaa, the largest sea aquarium in Europe
and heaps more will definitely fill a day right
up…
From Boulogne, the D940 runs on through
Neufchatel-Hardelot with its neo-
Shakespearian Theatre and Castle with a
cultural centre dedicated to Entente-
Cordiale. And on through charming Etaples,
once a fishing port, neighbour to the swanky
jet set seaside resort of Le Touquet-Paris-
Plage, and several lovely seaside towns