Nature & discovery
Learn about the Baie de Somme’s extraordinary vistas
Nature & discovery
Fed up with city living? How about some wide open spaces and clean air for a change? Come explore the Baie de Somme and live life at a natural pace.
Find out about the estuary’s typical fauna and flora from a Maison de l’Oiseau et de la Baie de Somme guide. Learn how to do bird watch with a Parc du Marquenterre ornithologist and how to decode their behaviour. Give in to temptation and play an 18 hole-golf course in the heart of most beautiful dune system in Europe or take a hike or a bicycle ride around some of the region’s most interesting natural areas. Gaze out over the Authie Valley’s gorgeous wilderness and come wander the Jardins de Valloires, to enjoy nature at its cultivated best.
Whatever you’d rather do, the "Destination Baie de Somme" sites guarantee your stay will be unforgettable.
Services Driving range, approach green, putting greens, clubs, golf carts, traditional or electric caddy carts...
The golf school The teaching centre offers a panel of services and targeted ...
The Lake Restaurant Friendly and warm, it is accessible for golfers and for ...
Set in the middle of the Sailly-Bray marshes, the Hutte des 400 coups, directly inspired by traditional Picardy hunting lodges, will be unforgettable.
The Sailly-Bray marshes A showplace for hunting snipe and observing migratory birds.
Garden center and shop Seeds, specialised books, regional specialities, nest ...
Guided tours Group visits provide a thorough introduction to the Jardins de Valloires’ rich horticultural heritage.
The Gardener’s Table The gardener’s table will awaken your senses; the chef ...
Maison de la Baie de Somme et de l’oiseau
A true initiation into the natural richness of the Estuary, the Bay of the Somme and Bird House is museum space open to all.
"Le Hourdel" marked walking tour (french only) (PDF / 362.8 kb)
Bicycle rentals From April to September, switch from your car to a bike.
Our Nature Outings Our guides will help you to observe the flora and fauna ...
School groups Play and learn visits and workshops, an introduction to ...
Seal watching From May to September, visit the largest colony of Atlantic harbour seals in France.
Between land and sea , with its 260 ha of dunes, of forests and marshes, Marquenterre Park is a conserved space that will seduce you with its unique landscapes and natural riches.
"Les Crocs" marked walking tour (french only) (PDF / 321.6 kb)
Guided tours Learn how to observe fauna and flora and which places in ...
Introductory tour Our nature guides will lead you to the most interesting parts of the park.
Naturalist trips For two or three days, experience nature’s rhythm.
Nature instruction Our teaching team will work with you to put together a program adapted to your needs.
The Bistrot du Marquenterre For large meetings, we offer a hot or cold buffet ...
The shop Our nature guides have selected the best works on the fauna and flora of the Marquenterre.
Related information
Cliffs
Between Ault and Mers-les-Bains, the Picardy cliffs jut out over the sea with their 80 meters of radiant white chalk. Forever separated from the sea by beach pebble dikes, they are the home of many species of birds and afford countless possibilities for a hike. A guaranteed adventure.
Dunes
The Baie de Somme has one of the largest European dune system. To the north, the Marquenterre dunes stretch over 240 hectares and to the south, the Brighton dunes are spread over 50 hectares. Gray, white, shrubby or thicket-covered, these mountains of fine sand are the home of a unique fauna and flora.
Marshes
Mecca for duck hunting and migratory bird watching, the marshes play a specific role in the life of Picardy. With their criss-crossing navigable canals and shaded paths, they are perfect for long hikes.
Flora
The Baie de Somme is the home of rich, original flora including three species protected in France and eleven at the regional level. Glasswort, sea lavender, seakale, sea buckthorn, beach-grass, and sea purslane are especially emblematic of the region.
Forêt de Crécy
With its 4,300 hectares, the Forêt de Crécy is one of the largest forested areas in the North of France. The theater of a famous battle during the Hundred Years War, it includes some twenty "remarkable trees" identified by the Office National des Forêts.
Fauna
The estuary of the Somme is one of the most significant European stopovers for migratory birds. Nearly 340 species have now been identified, including certain particularly rare ones such as the Great Bittern or the Garganey. In addition, the Baie de Somme is home to the largest colony of Atlantic harbour seals in France.
Map
For more information
There’s still more
Check out all the hiking and cycling paths of the Baie de Somme on www.baiecyclette.com and the Conseil général de la Somme website.
To find out all about the region’s top natural and tourist sites, click here.
Your stay in bay
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