Le TOUQUET
Area: Cities
Country: France


Location:
On N coast of France. 41 miles S of Calais; 140 miles N of Paris. Eurotunnel terminus 40 miles; 1» miles from small local airport with flights across the English Channel to Lydd in Kent.

Telephone code from UK:
33

Position:
On the S bank of the River Canche, bordering expansive sandy beach. Built on flat land, hemmed in and sheltered from rough winds by a splendid 400-acre forest of pines, silver birches, poplars, alders and locust trees.

Description:
Le Touquet is a compact 19th-century seaside resort which began as a no-man's-land of low dunes and marshes, sold by the state to developers in 1837. After unsuccessful attempts to grow crops and graze sheep, the developers planted trees, marked out roads and footpaths and launched the resort. Popular with the English, it took on the name of Le Touquet Paris-Plage in 1912 and slowly turned itself into a year-round attraction with a good range of hotels, casinos and opportunities to build dream villas in the woods. There is a strong contrast between the 2,000 expensive villas among the trees and the repetitive grid of streets in the town. Salty air has taken its toll on many of the generally low, modest buildings. A red brick lighthouse with white balconies and over 200 steps rewards the energetic with fine views. Today the resort measures approximately 1» miles by 1º.

Suitability:
Upmarket and middlemarket couples and families.

Accommodation:
Pleasant, relaxing holiday hotels and good choice of self-catering establishments dotted around the woods. 2-stars predominate.

Shopping:
Within an area of º mile by » mile in narrow, simple streets is a selection of French clothing, food and luxury products. Busy, frequently held covered market.

Beach:
6 rather exposed miles of fine golden sand invite summer bathing. S of the town are possibilities for sand yachting (windsurfing with wheels) and sailing at championship level. Several beach cafes, bars and a thalassotherapy centre. Centrally placed is an attractive aquacentre with heated pools, wave machine and a giant water slide.

Entertainments:
Daytime: strolling among architectural sights. Sporting activities, including bicycles for hire. A racecourse, three golf courses, 40 tennis courts, riding stables, swimming pools and water sports. The tourist office announces competitions and cultural events throughout the year. Nightlife: a few bars and cafes for the determined. Two casinos.

Eating:
A good range of restaurants for a town of 5,500 inhabitants. The River Canche comes up with some fine fare, but at a price. Some restaurants have impressive wine lists, again at a price.

Public-transport:
Bus service to picturesque Etaples, 3 miles away, where there is a railway station. Taxis. To enjoy a stay to the full, a car is essential.

Local-excursions:
Nothing organised, but the tourist office has a list of nearby shops, farms, handicraft centres and water mills that can be visited by car. Maritime museum at Etaples.