A Family Cycle Route in the Bay of Somme in Northern France: the Tour de la Baie

Bikes are a great way to discover the Somme Bay, a 17,200-hectare area of land and sea designated a Grand Site de France in 2011 for its sustainable development. This is especially true for families looking to do activities together and spend time in wild nature: the bay features 46km of cycle paths, many specially designed for families. The healthy, oxygen-rich air will help you all recharge your batteries and detox your system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An easy, largely flat circuit takes you around the bay for 32km between Le Crotoy and Cayeux-sur-Mer. Traffic is very light most of the year, but even in high summer this is a safe route for cyclists. Bike hire is widely available.

 

The landscapes and animals of the Somme Bay

Other attractions en route are typical little villages such as Saint-Valery

 and ancient fishing ports including Le Crotoy with its fine-sand beach and calm sea perfect for family fun. Don’t miss the views from the heights of Saint-Valery’s cobbled old town; the bay is so vast you can barely make out the sheep on the saltwater marshes. Behind the town’s port, Courtgain is a traditional fishermen’s district on the hillside, with a warren of alleys with closely packed, colourful houses like something out of an Impressionist canvas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop off too at Noyelles-sur-Mer, where Brit Pippa Darbyshire has opened the Relais de la Baie café–gallery displaying her canvasses inspired by the bay’s changing colours. This mesmerising landscape has inspired many other artists, including another British painter, Alan Johnston.

 

From west of Saint-Valery, take the Route Blanche from Le Hourdel to Cayeux-sur-Mer, through a gorgeous landscape of sand dunes. Dotted by 400 beach huts, Cayeux’s beach has the longest wooden promenade in Europe, at 1.8km.

 

 

 

At Saint-Valery, La Paillotte is perfect for a break by the sand, with a view of dunes and sea. The Ch'ti Quin in Quend is an estaminet (country bistro-café) serving northern French dishes such as andouillette sausage casserole with Maroilles cheese, and pot'je velsh (potted meat), along with a kids’ menu based on local farm produce.

 

The Villa Blanc Bleu at Quend-Plage-les-Pins, sleeping six, is a haven of seaside tranquillity. Kids get their own space packed with games, books and colouring materials , and there’s a garden with a barbecue and private access to a huge pine forest. A cycle path right front of the villa takes you to the centre of Quend-Plage-les-Pins; there are two bikes to rent on-site, or family equipment hire in Quend itself.

 

Alternatively, enjoy the outdoor life at Le Camping de Drancourt, one of the top six Family Campsites in Northern France.

 

Tourist board Information of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme

 

 

 

Other family-friendly cycle routes