Boulogne-Sur-Mer: Coast and Cultural Heritage

Anyone looking for a hotel in Boulogne-Sur-Mer can plan their trip around a range of interests: coastal experiences, marine life or historic buildings. Options range from walking along a promenade to taking a tour of a fortification.

Coast and water activities

The Promenade du général San Martin is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists and leads as far as Wimereux. It offers a route for anyone looking to combine their trip with exercise along the coast. Longe côte on Boulogne-Sur-Mer beach is a different kind of activity: you walk through the water with your legs and hips submerged, using paddles to move forward. The Club de Char à voile de Boulogne-Sur-Mer also offers land sailing, kite buggying, sea kayaking and pedal boating on the beach. The options are therefore quite distinct: the promenade is for walking and cycling, while longe côte and the club’s activities take place in or on the water. If a particular activity is central to your plans, check the current dates in advance.

There is also a route for arriving by bicycle: Nausicaá can be reached from Calais or Étaples-Le Touquet via a signposted coastal path and has been awarded the Accueil Vélo label. Check the route signs and access conditions before setting off.

Nausicaá and the marine world

Nausicaá offers three immersive, interactive visitor routes, including “Voyage en Haute Mer.” The center is dedicated to preserving marine biodiversity and is home to more than 58,000 animals. The focus here is on the marine world, while the promenade and beach activities showcase other aspects of the destination. The number of animals and the visitor program may change; check the latest information and program before your visit.

Fortress, ramparts and belfry

The Château de Boulogne-sur-Mer is the centerpiece of the fortress built by Count Philippe Hurepel in 1231. The ramparts are a 13th-century fortification and are among the best-preserved of their time in northern France. Four gates provide access to the chemin de ronde, a walking route with views over the town and gardens. Check the access conditions for this route before your visit.

The Beffroi has its own history: originally the Romanesque keep of the first count’s castle, it was converted into a belfry at the beginning of the 13th century. In 2005, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site. Together with the fortress, these buildings offer a cultural focus that differs from the coastal activities.

Notre-Dame Basilica

Notre-Dame Basilica was built between 1827 and 1866 on the ruins of the former cathedral. Its dome reaches a height of 101 metres. Its history therefore differs in date from that of the medieval fortress and the Beffroi: here, interest in the site centers on the 19th-century construction and the impressive dome. The basilica is freely accessible via Rue de Lille. Check the current access conditions before your visit.

When planning your trip, you can therefore choose from a range of themes: the promenade for pedestrians and cyclists, water activities, Nausicaá as a destination focused on the marine world, or the historic buildings.

Discover more destinations: Audrehem, Hesdin, Warlincourt-Lès-Pas, Dennebroeucq, Serques, Wailly-Beaucamp, Ecques, Bully-les-Mines

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