Maybe it's the Brigitte Macron effect and her legendary Villa Monéjan, but we've been dreaming of a breath of fresh air in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage for some time now. Check! We packed our sweaters, windbreakers, loafers, a notepad, and a pen to jot down the activities and places not to be missed, all in the pursuit of enjoying a refreshing getaway just 2.5 hours from Paris. Follow the guide.
The Perfect Hotel to Check-In
You can't mention Le Touquet without its iconic aura of the Westminster, which has hosted the biggest stars from around the world since the roaring twenties. In this 5-star hotel with its red brick facade, a nod to the many English tourists in the region, Bruno Borrione has created a comfortable room decor, playing with various shades of brown, blue, and sienna. Besides its charming little pool and hammam, the Nuxe spa offers fantastic full-body massages to help you unwind from the week's stresses, unless you'd rather enjoy the popular cocktail bar for a romantic rendezvous.
In the evening, make a reservation at the La Table du West brasserie to savor a tempting menu (starter, main course, and dessert for €45) and plates expertly crafted by Michelin-starred chef William Elliott: crab mayonnaise, celery and mussel ravioli, pork shoulder and lentil stew, scallops and tuberous chervil, chocolate tart and crème brûlée, all complemented by a glass of Pouilly Fumé (€14). Morning delight: enjoy breakfast facing the mini city forest just in front of the Westminster.
We love: The genuinely dog-friendly aspect of the hotel (and Le Touquet in general, for that matter) that welcomes four-legged guests with bowls, a bed, and some treats. Nice!
Westminster, Avenue du Verger, 62520 Le Touquet. +33 3 21 05 48 48. Rooms starting from €211.
A Stroll on the Beach
Heading to Le Touquet without a leisurely walk along the expansive beach, toes in the water, would go against the very essence of the ultimate seaside resort. And why not go for a thrilling ride on horseback? For €49, you can enjoy a 1.5-hour gallop by the sea with the Touquet Equestrian Center. Feeling more adventurous? Try a land yachting baptism with the Centre Nautique de la Manche, to truly become one with the elements (€50 per person). Nothing like a breath of fresh air to leave with rosy cheeks.
The Tea Room that Hits the Spot
Settle in on the sunny terrace of the Opaline tea room, a charming little white and blue house overlooking the Jardin des Arts. Siblings Charles and Julie offer a delightful selection of pastries and comforting hot drinks: lemon meringue pie (€7.50), Paris-Brest (€7.50), sugar pancake (€3.50), to be washed down with a coffee with cream (€2.60), hot chocolate (€4.50), or their signature organic tea, also available for purchase (€4.50). Also, don't miss their daily brunch available from 11 am to 3:30 pm, featuring juice, hot beverage, pastries, a savory plate, and homemade pastries (€32).
Opaline, 43 avenue du Verger, 62 520 Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. +33 3 21 81 42 46. Open from Wednesday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 7 pm.
The Best Seafood
Indulge in a seafood platter at Pérard, a seafood institution that also serves the best fish soup in the region (€16, all you can eat). Grilled whole sea bass (starting from €37), lobster bouillabaisse (€49), oysters (€17.50 for 6 Fine de Claire No. 3), they adapt to the seasons to offer fresh products year-round.
Even better, make a reservation at Alexandre Gauthier's (a 15-minute drive from the city center), the Michelin-starred chef of La Grenouillère, who has just opened Sur Mer, the sexiest oyster bar on the Côte d'Opale overlooking the Channel: roasted skate wing with capers (€25), grilled cod (€24), beautifully garnished platters of shellfish, sashimi, crustaceans, sea urchins (starting from €25), endless oysters, and divine smoked haddock fish & chips (€20). A must-visit.
Perard, 67 rue de Metz, 62520 Le Touquet. +33 3 21 05 13 33. Open every day from 12 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7 pm to 9:30 pm (10 pm on Saturdays).
Sur Mer, boulevard de la Manche, 62155 Merlimont. +33 3 21 94 67 53. Open from Wednesday to Monday, both for lunch and dinner.
Things to See and Do
- Try the creatively Mexican cuisine at Mezquité (€33 menu).
- Grab a takeaway crepe at Aux Mignardises (praline €4.50).
- Visit the always fascinating exhibitions at the Musée du Touquet-Paris-Plage. Currently, JonOne is in the spotlight!
- Bite into a burger at Burger Fermier des Enfants Rouges (menu starting from €15).
- Pick up local products at the Rendez-vous du terroir, every Sunday morning at Place Quentovic.
- Enjoy a bottle of natural wine at the gourmet bistro restaurant Les Canailles .
How to Get There?
Arrive at Étaples - Le Touquet train station. Opt for a direct train (2.5 hours) and catch a shuttle that always coincides with the arrivals of major train lines and will take you to the city center in fifteen minutes (€1 per person for the ride).
Reservations: www.oui.sncf Shuttle schedules: www.letouquet.com
For more information, visit www.letouquet.com.
© Le Touquet-Paris-Plage
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