Visit the Opal Coast
If you are staying at the Institut Calot or the Centre Jacques Calvé on the Opal Coast, there are several activities that you should not miss. In addition to the beautiful beaches and natural sites, the Opal Coast offers many attractive tourist attractions. The most visited site in the region is Nausicaá, the national sea centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The Côte d'Opale boasts numerous historic monuments, including both listed and unlisted sites. These include the fortified town of Boulogne, the Grande Armée Column, the Montreuil citadel, and the UNESCO World Heritage listed belfries of Boulogne, Calais, and Dunkirk. Additionally, visitors can explore castles, sea forts, churches, lighthouses, and more.
For those seeking outdoor activities, the region offers a variety of options, such as golf, tennis, horse-riding, and a range of water sports, including sand yachting, kite sailing, speed sailing, kitesurfing, and canoeing. Families can also enjoy theme parks, such as Bagatelle in Merlimont and Aqualud in Le Touquet.
what to do on the opal coast
the beaches
The beaches of the Côte d'Opale are considered to be among the most beautiful in France, offering some of the finest panoramic views in the country in an environment with a particularly invigorating, iodine-filled climate.
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Several rooms with sea views are available at the INSTITUT CALOT.
Elegant beaches
Le Touquet Paris Plage, Hardelot Plage, Wimereux plage
Authentic beaches
Oye plage, Blériot-plage (Calais), Audresselles plage, Ambleteuse plage, Wissant plage, Les hemmes plages, Marck plage, Sainte Cécile plage
Family beaches
Berck plage, Stella plage, Malo les bains (Dunkerque), Merlimont plage
Beaches in the Baie de Somme
Le crotoy, Saint Valery, Cap Honu, Le bois de Lise
walks and hikes
The Fondation Hopale recommends various walks and hikes on the Opal Coast, depending on the length of your stay. These destinations are located close to the Berck facilities.
Touquet
Hardelot Castle trail
Berck
Montreuil-sur-Mer
Cucq
Cap Gris-Nez / Cap Blanc-Nez
The Marquenterre estate
Parks and gardens in the Somme
Mont Saint-Frieux
Mont Capet Tower
festivals
Depending on the period of your stay as a patient or accompanying person, the Hopale Foundation offers you a selection of festive, cultural and sporting events not to be missed.
Festive events
- The Dunkirk Carnival (mid-January to mid-March)
- The Crab Festival in Audresselles (last weekend in May)
- Fête du parc naturel du cap et marée d'Opale (Opal Cape and Tide Nature Park Festival)
- Fête de la beurrière in Boulogne sur mer
- Fête de la mer in Boulogne (4 days in summer)
Cultural events
- Le Figra (Touquet) - International Festival of News Reporting
- Les Pianos folies (Touquet)
- Les Misérables (Montreuil sur mer)
- The Opal Coast Festival
- Festival des folklores du monde (Bray-Dunes)
Sports events
- Berck kite
- La Frappadingue Opale Xtreme (Montreuil sur mer)
- Le Touquet Enduro
- Berck Beach Cross
- Bike & Run (Touquet)
- Joutes à canotes (Etaples)
outdoor activities
The various towns and villages on the Côte d'Opale are keen to project a young and dynamic image, with a wide range of sports well represented: tennis, basketball, volleyball, football, etc....
But there are a number of sporting activities specific to the Opal Coast that caught our attention in particular.
The Hopale Foundation also runs a network of partner sports clubs for disabled users. For more information, please contact Mr Adrien MOLIN.
Sensational sports
- Fly tandem
- Baptism of the air
- ULM
- Parachute jumping
Beach sports
- Sailing boats
- Sea kayaking
- Sailing
- Longe côte
- Jet skiing
- Horse riding on the beach
- Sea outings
- Beach polo
- Kite surfing
- Kite flying
culture
The employees of the Fondation Hopale have selected a range of cultural activities not to be missed, to help you recharge your batteries as a carer or patient.
The museums
- Musée Opale sud (Berck-sur-Mer)
- Musée de Montreuil-sur-Mer
- Musée Maréis (Etaples)
- Musée de la marine (Etaples)
- Musée du Touquet
- Le LAAC : Lieux d’art et d’action contemporaine (Dunkerque)
Cultural sites
- Musée de la dentelle de Calais
- Cathédrale d’Amiens
- La coupole (Helfaut)
- Château d’Hardelot
- La Cristallerie D'Arques (Arques)
Movie theater
- LE CINOS, Le nouveau complexe (Berck-sur-Mer)
- Les 3 as (Le Touquet Paris Plage)
- Le stars (Boulogne-sur-Mer)
- Gaumont Cité Europe (Calais)
- Le Cyrano (Montreuil-sur-Mer)
attractions
The region offers a number of attractions linked to its exceptional seaside. They provide fun and culture for all the family. They are aimed at all ages.
Nausicaa (Boulogne sur Mer, 40 minutes from Berck sur mer)
Nausicaa is the largest marine discovery centre in the Nord Pas de Calais region. You'll have the chance to discover a number of rare species from the seabed, including the wolf eel and the giant Pacific octopus, but above all the lord of the seas, the shark.
AGORA (Berck sur mer)
The AGORA is an archipelago of leisure activities.
Outside: Kitesurfing, sand yachting, Mickey's club on the beach and horse riding.
Indoors: swimming pool, bowling alley, games room, pirate islands, shops and restaurant.
Bagatelle (Berck sur mer)
The Bagatelle amusement park is one of the first national amusement parks, with water shows, roller coasters and family attractions.
Aquaclub Belle dune (Fort Mahon)
This theme park offers a wide range of water-based activities for children, families and thrill-seekers alike.
big cities
Depending on the length of your stay as a patient and/or accompanying person, we suggest that you visit tourist towns located less than 3 hours from our facilities.
Paris
Only 2 hours from our facilities, Paris is the world's leading tourist destination. This unique city offers a lively cultural life, a varied gastronomy and an exceptional historical heritage.
London
Book your Eurostar for a quick trip to London in just 1 hour. Thanks to the Channel Tunnel, the ferry and the Eurostar, getting to the British capital is now child's play.
Lille
A major metropolis in the north of France, Lille is only 1 to 2 hours by train from our facilities, and is one of France's most economically dynamic and touristic cities.
Honfleur
Just 2 hours away, Honfleur is a very charming and authentic port with cobbled streets that make up the richness of its cultural and artistic heritage.
Deauville
Located 2 hours from Le Havre, opposite Trouville, this upmarket seaside resort boasts a historic reputation that once made it a haven for movie stars.
Brussels
Belgium's capital is 2 hours and a half by car and 1 hour by train from Calais. Here you can spend a weekend discovering the city's monuments and museums, its green spaces and sample some traditional Belgian dishes.
Wallonia
Liège, Namur, Charleroi, Mons and Tournai, Walloon towns to discover just a stone's throw from the Côte d'Opale (just 2 hours from our facilities) for a perpetual air of holiday and relaxation...
Bruges
Just a 2-hour drive from Berck, the Venice of the North is an architectural gem. You'll enjoy eating its famous chocolates and typical Belgian waffles.
The Pas-de-Calais tourist office offers tourist destinations with the "Tourism and Disability" label for people with motor, mental, hearing and visual disabilities.
This label, awarded by the Ministry of Tourism, gives people with disabilities access to reliable, adapted facilities.
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