Coastal short break to Le Touquet, at Castel Victoria hotel

Just an hour’s drive from Calais and undoubtedly Northern France’s most chic and iconic coastal destination, Le Touquet seems to have the instant zen effect. From the moment you drive into town, consciously taking in the stunning architecture and beautiful colours of the forest as you go, your romantic beach break begins, reminding you of good it feels to take the pace down a notch and just concentrate on spending time together.

You’ll pass the Michelin-starred restaurant ‘Le Pavillon’ at the legendary Westminster Hotel (table for two?) and you’ll clock the art galleries, interiors shops, fashion boutiques and foodie stores, all exuding Northern France art de vivre.

Celebrate your arrival at Hotel Castel Victoria with complimentary champagne, and with your bags taken to your room for you, you can explore the hotel at will. There’s a romantic roof terrace to catch the rays and have a drink (or two), there’s a lower terrace with a more intimate courtyard atmosphere or you can take up the rare chance to have a quiet read in the Churchill lounge inside.

Out and about in Le Touquet, do a little or do a lot, the choice is yours on your weekend beach break. Head to the beach bars (cocktails taste better with your toes in the sand, non?) or take a look in those shops. Thoroughfare Rue Saint-Jean bursts with boutiques but do go off-piste browsing the gems in the little side streets too. If you fancy picking out some Northern France local foodie specialities, follow your nose into the shops in Rue de Metz, and for more fresh local produce there’s always market-day, your chance to observe the hustle and bustle of French food culture and take home some tempting treats.

For something more energetic, enjoy the romance of walking or cycling in the forest, gawping at its impressive villas – from the period to the contemporary. You can even hire bikes from Hotel Le Castel Victoria. The Canche Bay Nature Reserve is easy to get to from the hotel, on a pathway surrounded only by dunes and the calming sound of the waves. Prolong the romance by pitching up for a refresher on the terrace of the Base Nord restaurant, there amongst the boats. It’s a truly magical view from here: beach foragers at low tide, kite-surfers at high, and if you’re lucky enough, the local seals too.

As you’d expect on the coast of Northern France, seafood is high on the foodie agenda, so after a cosy aperitif at Hotel Le Castel Victoria, join Le Touquet locals at Perard’s stylish oyster bar or head to the infinitely romantic restaurant “Les 2 Moineaux” for its superb cuisine.