News
 

Le Crotoy

Le Crotoy is a lovely family-friendly sea resort in the Baie de Somme just 16km from the campsite. It feels like a peninsula with its little fishing port and marina, fishing huts, long and beautiful south-facing beach and traditional villas that are a unique architectural feature in the Hauts-de-France.

Experience Le Crotoy's vibrant history and cultural heritage

Soak up Le Crotoy's architectural heritage on a walk and a ramble through the streets. It's the perfect opportunity to give your camping holidays in the Baie de Somme a dose of history and culture! Le Crotoy's many architectural gems include the so-called "Le Souvenir" centre (now Les Tourelles) that's one of the town's most iconic historical landmarks. The former manor on Rue Pierre Guerlain was built out of bricks covered in pink render for Gustave Lecocq-Ranson in the late 19th century. Carry on your tour and stop at “La Solitude” villa where Jules Verne stayed to write 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the grounds and manor belonging to the poet Charles-Hubert Millevoye's family built on the ruins of a fortress and the Villa des Dunes where Colette stayed in the early 20th century. Time permitting, stroll by Villa Marguerite which beautifully epitomises Flemish-style residential architecture in Le Crotoy. As you head for the fishing port, you can see the famous local historian Florentin Lefils' mansion which is now a guesthouse. If you love history then be sure to visit the fortress ruins, 12th century ramparts and Joan of Arc Tower…There are too many attractions in Le Crotoy to list so we recommend spending a full day here to see everything this beautiful coastal town on the Somme has to offer.

A sea resort oozing history

Le Crotoy was a flourishing trade port in the Middle Ages, home to the fortress where Joan of Arc was imprisoned before her trial in Rouen and became a popular holiday destination among wealthy Parisian families in the early 19th century. The first bathing sites began to appear and in the 1880s Le Crotoy was renowned for being one of the best beaches in La Manche. In the wake of illustrious names such as Victor Hugo, Toulouse-Lautrec, Jules Verne, Colette and the famous perfumer Pierre Guerlain, wealthy travellers tended to spend their summer holidays here or live here for some of the year. The lucky few had beautiful villas and chalets inspired by Switzerland and Normandy built here. Le Crotoy became a very fashionable sea resort and the Baie de Somme became an unmissable holiday destination!

Things to see and do in Le Crotoy:

Relax on Le Crotoy's fine sand beach, one of few south-facing beaches in Picardy!

Walk along Promenade Jules-Noiret that covers 2km along the beach.

Walk up Le Crotoy's highest hill, Butte du Moulin, for a unique view of the Baie de Somme, St-Valery, le Hourdel.

Cross the Baie de Somme with an experienced nature guide and watch the seals lazing on the sand banks at low tide.

Linger around Le Crotoy belvedere and its viewing topograph for fabulous views of the Baie de Somme.

Travel on a real steam train on the Baie de Somme tourist railway from Le Crotoy to Cayeux-sur-Mer.

Set sail on a guided boat trip on the Commandant Charcot IV from Quai Courbet. Learn about the Baie de Somme's traditions, architecture and landscapes.

Take part in the annual Transbaie run in June from the Baie de Saint-Valery-sur-Somme to Le Crotoy (15km return).

 
Camping accommodation in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme

Discover our accommodation

As a family, as a couple or with friends, spend unforgettable holidays in a mobile home! Camping Le Walric in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme offers a wide choice of mobile homes for 2 to 6 people - with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. Camping holidays in the open air to reconnect with nature! Whether in a tent, caravan or camper van, you will be staying as close to nature as possible on a bare pitch of about 95 m² delimited by hedges, on flat grassy ground. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

See more