Discover Beutin: Hiking, History and Architecture

Beutin brings together the marked Le Robinson hiking trail, a river landscape, a layered local history and distinctive architectural details. If you choose a destination based on the activities you could enjoy during your stay, you will find both an outdoor route and history by the water, as well as a reason to visit for food. The highlights vary: Le Robinson takes you through the landscape, while the church and wreck bring architectural and maritime history into focus.

Le Robinson: Hiking along the Canche

The Le Robinson hiking trail starts in Beutin, follows the banks of the Canche and passes through landscapes of plains and marshland. It is marked in yellow; the GR® trail markings are white and red. The starting-point car park is at the Salle des Fêtes in Beutin, described as a former railway station. An official tourism guide for 2020/21 gives Le Robinson’s length as 10 km and also describes the route as suitable for mountain bikes. Check current trail conditions before setting out, especially if you plan to ride a mountain bike.

The wreck and the history of the river

The Beutin wreck was discovered in 1989 by recreational divers in Beutin, five kilometres upstream from the port of Étaples-sur-Mer. It is dated to the period between the end of the 15th century and the middle of the 17th century. The ship is 14 metres long and has a flat bottom; these measurements and its construction give the archaeological find a tangible form.

In the 15th century, the course of the Canche and its estuary were wider than they are today. The wreck now lies in the active channel of the Canche. Comparing the river’s former width with its present course adds a story of landscape change to the history of the ship.

The architecture of the Église Saint-Léger

The Église Saint-Léger combines two periods of construction: its choir dates from the 15th century, while the nave is from the 19th century. A masonry bell gable crowns the church; the vault keystones are decorated with unidentified coats of arms. The dates make the difference in age between the building’s parts visible, while the bell gable and keystones are distinctive architectural features. Access to the church is regulated. Check the current access arrangements before visiting.

Chocolate at Campagne & Chocolat

At Campagne & Chocolat, chocolate is artisanally made from organic and Fair Trade cocoa beans. Visitors can sample the products and watch them being made. As business details can change, check in advance whether tastings and a look at the production process will be available when you visit.

Choose what to explore in Beutin based on your interests

As a guide to help you decide, you can distinguish between the themes according to the kind of trip you have in mind: Le Robinson is a specific outdoor route; the wreck and the Église Saint-Léger appeal to those interested in history and architecture; Campagne & Chocolat offers chocolate making and tastings. This makes it easier to decide whether you would mainly like to hike, explore the history of the river or plan a culinary visit.

Discover more destinations: Beauvoir-Wavans, Groffliers, Herly, Coyecques, Fresnoy-En-Gohelle, Brias, Labroye, Hauteville

For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.