Tucked away in northern France, the small coastal resort town of Le Touquet, also known as Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, has long-standing ties with Britain. Located less than an hour from Calais, it even has an airport named after the late Queen Elizabeth II. Once bustling with British tourists who made up some 20 per cent of its visitors, numbers dropped after Brexit and again after the pandemic. Although Brits are gradually returning, aided by tax-free shopping in the EU, the town has now adopted a fresh approach to drawing holidaymakers back.
A Week of Activities for British Visitors
Le Touquet is hosting a week of events over the Spring Bank Holiday specifically designed to tempt Brits to its shores en masse. According to the town's website, the activities are 'specially designed to delight our British guests who want to experience the French art de vivre - and, more specifically, Le Touquet way of life.' All activities will be delivered in English, with some free and others offered at affordable prices. The town emphasises its close ties with the UK, noting that it 'still embodies today the spirit of the most British of French resorts.'
Discounts and Activities
Visitors presenting a British passport may even bag a discount, according to The Times. The coastal town is offering an impressive range of activities, including guided horse rides, kayaking, sailing, tours of the town hall and airport, as well as shrimping and tasting. Shrimping is a traditional activity along the Opal Coast that involves fishing for shrimp and exploring the beachside ecosystem. A bike guided tour called 'Le British Tour' will take participants on a two-hour exploration of the town and its British influences.
For food enthusiasts, there will be a dinner cooked by local Michelin-starred chef Alexandre Gauthier, who will prepare a gourmet meal at the Hippodrome de la Canche on May 30. Kate Landry, a Le Touquet councillor born in Britain, told Radio France: 'The idea is to allow our British visitors to experience activities they might not have dared to try before, out of a fear of not understanding the instructions. So, we are going to offer them in English, enabling them to truly make the most of it.'
Travel Options
Many Brits are opting for staycations this year due to the jet fuel crisis and ongoing conflict in Iran affecting the aviation industry. However, holidaymakers do not need to fly to reach Le Touquet; it is accessible by ferry. DFDS, Irish Ferries, and P&O Ferries offer over 30 daily crossings for the 90-minute voyage to Calais. A one-way trip with DFDS costs from £89 with a car and up to four people. From Calais, it is a 45-mile drive or a 40-minute train journey to the seaside town. Alternatively, travellers can use Le Shuttle, boarding the Eurotunnel at Folkestone, Kent, and arriving in Calais in as little as 35 minutes, with tickets priced from £59.
