It’s hard to believe that a short 25-minute drive on the A16 from Calais delivers you directly to the rural bliss of the small, intimate and inviting Ferme-du-Vert hotel, a place of old stone, shutters, gardens with far-reaching country views and a reassuring crunch of gravel underfoot. Once over the threshold, a contemporary neutral palette gives instant wow and zen factor, with the perfect balance of past and present, and elegant, unfussy furnishings. The restrained palette extends to the calming bedrooms in the outbuildings ‒ each bathroom in the ‘Détente’ category with its own luxury twist.
It's a place with true human substance too, with Thomas and team going the extra mile to make sure guests’ stays are pretty perfect. All manner of extra touches are sprinkled in: a lift from the station if you’re coming car-free, a Northern France picnic prepared for you for your day out (see the ‘Services’ section for delicious details!) and an extra special French breakfast of croissants, fresh breads, cheeses, yoghurts, charcuterie meats and fresh fruit. You can even bring your pooch if you wish; Ferme-du-Vert is a dog-friendly hotel.
Thoughts naturally turn to dinner on romantic weekend breaks and Thomas will undoubtedly recommend the Marie-Galante restaurant in the nearby fishing village of Audresselles, where the ‘plateau de fruits de mer’ (an abundant seafood platter) has a reputation all of its own. But we’re guessing there’s a pretty good chance you’ll opt to dine in instead when you hear that Ferme-du-Vert’s restaurant has a far-reaching reputation too: did you know that Michelin also awards other accolades besides its famous stars? Well, Ferme-du-Vert’s restaurant has earned a Michelin ‘Bib Gourmand’, a prestigious label denoting great cuisine at a great price in a great setting. The absolute must here is saving space for cheese ‒ which naturally takes centre stage on a farm that makes and matures its own ‒ with the names of the cheeses like a map of places to visit in the area, such as Fort d’Ambleteuse, Sablé de Wissant and Dôme de Boulogne.
And indeed there is so much to see in this part of Northern France: anglo-norman villas in coastal villages like Wimereux, the dizzying cliffs of Cap-Blanc-Nez and Cap-Gris-Nez by e-bike, Wissant beach (one of France’s top-ten beaches, no less) and bustling Boulogne-sur-Mer for its charming fortified town and daily fish market. Take your pick, but don’t forget to factor in a lie-in too ‒ you’ll want to stick around at Ferme-du-Vert for as long as possible!
Insiders Tips
Get in touch with the locals! They live on site and know how to make the most of your stay. They'll be happy to answer your questions and help you build a tailor-made, off the beaten path itinerary.
Meet the fish mongers
In Boulogne-sur-Mer, I highly recommend that you make a stop on the quays to meet the fish mongers who sell fish fresh off the boats because here, fishing is not just folklore! Nausicaà will transport you to the ocean’s fascinating world and the discovery of fish from the entire planet. Lovers of old stones won’t want to miss a visit to the high city: its fortress-castle, now a museum, its ramparts, its bell tower and its typical streets or, a must-do in my opinion, its basilica which houses the largest crypt in France! No fewer than 200 years of history are yours for the taking; I’m certain you won’t be bored.