Why choose the Opal Coast for your camping holiday?
Located in northern France, facing the English Channel and the English coast, the Opal Coast charms visitors with the diversity and unspoilt nature of its landscapes. Stretching over 120 kilometres, the coastline alternates between long sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs, wild dunes and seaside resorts with authentic charm.
It is an ideal destination for a camping holiday, whether you’re looking for peace and quiet, the great outdoors or outdoor activities. Between Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez, the panoramic views are among the most impressive in northern France, offering a natural setting perfect for hiking, contemplation and a change of scenery.
Enjoy the pleasures of the beach and water sports in the warm, precious hues of opal. This white landscape is punctuated by the shadows of the clouds, the green of the meadows, the yellow of the fields, and the pink, red and purple of the flowers on the cliffs. The Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park protects the area’s finest treasures.
After marvelling at the art of lace-making at the Calais museum, you pass by the beach from which Louis Blériot took off on 25 July 1909, becoming the first person to cross the English Channel. Beneath the shores of Sangatte, the famous tunnel has linked France and England since 1994.
The Opal Coast also charms visitors with its atmosphere that is both invigorating and soothing. Here, the wind, the shifting light and the wide open spaces give a real sense of freedom. Families particularly appreciate the vast, safe beaches, whilst nature lovers enjoy an unspoilt environment, far from the hustle and bustle of the major tourist resorts.
Easily accessible from the major cities of northern France, as well as from Belgium and the Île-de-France region, the destination offers an excellent compromise for a change of scenery without travelling too far. When camping, you can make the most of this natural environment, close to both the sea and the inland countryside.
Campsites on the Opal Coast
The range of camping holidays on the Opal Coast is extensive and varied. To make the most of the coastline, several campsites offer accommodation right by the sea and major natural sites.
Located just 200 m from the sea, the municipal La Falaise*** campsite in Équihen-Plage offers pitches and accommodation to suit all budgets. A heated swimming pool and proximity to the dunes and unspoilt beaches guarantee a comfortable stay in the heart of nature.
Ideal for families, the Belle Dune***** campsite in Berck-sur-Mer is just a few minutes from the beaches and the famous kite festival. Comfortable accommodation and on-site activities allow you to make the most of the coastline.
Close to the harbour and the seaside resort, Le Phare d’Opale** campsite in Le Portel combines direct access to the beach with comprehensive facilities for the whole family, including a swimming pool and on-site entertainment.
For a nature-filled stay amidst the dunes and forests, the La Dune Blanche*** campsite in Camiers offers modern rentals and spacious pitches just a stone’s throw from the sea. An ideal setting to recharge your batteries whilst enjoying the coastline.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly campsite by the sea or near the dunes, the Opal Coast offers options to suit all tastes and budgets.
What to see on the Opal Coast? The must-see attractions
The great site of the 2 capes
A highlight of the Opal Coast, the Cap Blanc-Nez, with its chalk cliffs over 130 m high, offers an incomparable viewpoint on the boundary between the English Channel and the North Sea.
After a stop in the hollow of the fishing village of Wissant, here is the Cap Gris-Nez, with rocks made of sandstone and dark clay. It is the closest point to the English white coastline (30 km) which can be clearly seen, with the intense maritime traffic of the Pas de Calais Strait. There are military relics everywhere, testifying to the strategic interest of the region during the last world conflicts.
Enjoy some seafood during the sea ports of call of Ambleteuse and Wimereux, highlighted by Fort Mahon and the large dunes of the Slack.
In the heart of the Boulonnais
Announced by the Napoleonic column of La Grande Armée, you reach the port city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. After a tour of the ramparts, the basilica and its grandiose crypt, a visit to Nausicaá is a must. An awareness of the marine world that will satisfy young and old alike, with some fifty basins housing nearly 40,000 animals of more than 1,600 different species, in the largest aquarium in Europe.
Called the wild daughter of the Opal Coast, the small resort of Équihen-Plage has a lot of charm. The flobarts, typical multicoloured boats, regularly cross paths in the open sea.
The nearby hills of Le Boulonnais are home to museums that highlight the know-how: Marquise slates, ceramics in Desvres, the Boulonnais horse in Samer.
Charm and refinement at Neufchâtel-Hardelot
Surrounded by magnificent state forests, Hardelot is surrounded by superb Belle Époque style villas. While nestled amidst splendid gardens, Hardelot's neo-classical castle is a permanent celebration of Franco-British friendship, with numerous concerts and cultural events.
Sheltered in its estuary, Étaples lives to the rhythm of fishing and boating, with a wide range of walks to the Bay of Canche nature reserve, not forgetting the long tradition of welcoming the greatest painters.
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, the jewel of the Opal Coast and other seaside resorts
Opposite, the seaside resort of Le Touquet was created at the end of the 19th century to attract Parisian stars, in a very wooded setting. Admire the abundance of seaside architecture in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, with its luxurious residences, typical pavilions and grand historic hotels, such as the incredible neo-gothic town hall with its belfry. You can admire it from the top of the 55-metre lighthouse. At the end of the large sandy beach, the Canche ends its course in a languorous bay.
A large offer for swimming and water sports :
Due south, via the beaches of Stella and Merlimont, the dunes finally accompany you as far as Berck and the very wild haven of the Authie. Inseparable from the multicoloured enchantment of the kites, Berck-sur-Mer is a family resort for leisure and holidays, with a beautiful collection of remarkable seaside villas on the Opal Coast.
How can you make the most of the Opal Coast during your camping holiday?
Beyond the must-see sites, the Opal Coast can also be discovered through the many experiences available there.
Enjoy the sea in a different way
The Opal Coast is one of the best spots in France to try out wind and ocean-based activities: sand yachting, kitesurfing or even coastal walking. These experiences are accessible even to beginners and offer a different way to discover the coastline.
Exploring the landscapes on foot or by bike
With cliffs, dunes and coastal paths, there are plenty of options for walks. The coastal path (GR120) offers spectacular views between Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez.
Share moments with the family
Aquariums, large, safe beaches, seaside walks or seal watching: the destination is particularly well suited to holidays with children.
Discover the region in a different way
Local markets, regional specialities, maritime heritage… the Opal Coast can also be experienced away from the beach, as you wander through the villages and meet the locals.