What to do on a family weekend in the Baie de Somme: beaches, seals and nature adventures with the kids
Exploring the Baie de Somme with your family guarantees a weekend filled with incredible scenery, leisurely walks, andactivities for all ages. With family-friendly beaches, bike rides, steam train adventures, and seal watching, this corner of Picardy is brimming with ideas for a getaway with children of all ages.
Whether you’re staying for two or three days, a visit to the bay promises memorable moments and relaxation, surrounded by unspoiled nature and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. What is there to do in the Baie de Somme? Le Walric Campground is here to help you plan a successful family getaway.
Family beaches for playing, relaxing and exploring
For families with children, family-friendly beaches are often the perfect starting point for a successful weekend in the Baie de Somme. Between Quend-Plage-les-Pins, Fort-Mahon-Plage, and Cayeux-sur-Mer, there’s something for everyone on these stretches of fine sand bordered by dunes. These resorts are perfect for beach games, sandcastles, and even a few walks to breathe in the salty sea air.
At Fort-Mahon-Plage, the friendly atmosphere invites you to enjoy the waves and try your hand at kite flying. Many families also like to explore the nearby dunes, where observing the flora or picking shells dressed up as explorers always appeals to the youngest.
Quend-Plage-les-Pins boasts a 15 km-long beach and a seaside atmosphere appreciated by children and parents alike throughout spring and summer. Try your hand at sand yachting on the vast beach (often from age 6), supervised by instructors.
Why choose Le Crotoy beach?
Le Crotoy with its beach facing the bay, is very popular with families, especially those with young children. It’s the only south-facing sandy beach in northern France.
Low tide gives way to areas ideal for crabbing, crawling or simply enjoying the sunset.
Here, the atmosphere of a family seaside resort can be felt around every corner, with ice-cream parlors, antique merry-go-rounds and pony rides sometimes organized in the afternoon.
Here’s a tip for extending the day on the beach without weighing down logistics: don’t forget to bring kites, colorful buckets and small landing nets. Children quickly take over this immense space to imagine a thousand games under the reassuring supervision of adults on the beach.
Cayeux-sur-Mer and its boardwalk
Cayeux-sur-Mer has a recognizable silhouette thanks to its beach huts lined up along the famous plank path. This family-friendly site attracts visitors not only for its vintage feel, but also because it’s a great place for budding photographers… or their children! All enjoy the tide-changing panorama.
Walks to the pointe du Hourdel offer the perfect opportunity to get up close to the wildlife, particularly on guidedseal-watching walks.
During the summer months, Cayeux often offers nature activities or discovery booklets distributed at the tourist office. A good way to get children excited about walking, while awakening their curiosity about the local flora and fauna.
Family bike ride in the Baie de Somme
Le Crotoy – Fort-Mahon-Plage
The Baie de Somme is one of the best destinations for a weekend family cycling weekend. Thanks to the greenway linking Le Crotoy to Fort-Mahon-Plage, cycling becomes accessible, even for novices or those who prefer to pedal away from traffic. It’s the perfect route to discover Quend, Le Marquenterre and Saint-Firmin on the Vélomaritime (EuroVelo 4).
The trail is recommended for family outings, and is accessible with a trailer, baby carrier or all-terrain stroller, including the short version (approx. 20-25 km round trip). The route crosses beaches, wild dunes and pine forests, offering a serene discovery of Picardy nature (marshes, salt meadows…).
From Le Crotoy to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme by bike: what an experience?
The route offers superb views over the Bay of the Somme, and frequently brings you across migratory birds or peaceful horses in wet meadows. Along the way, attractive picnic areas invite you to break up the day with a snack, a must when cycling with the family.
Beware, however, that the Le Crotoy ⇨ Saint-Valery-sur-Somme route can be tiring for the little ones. For a 4-year-old, it’s best to bring a suitable baby carrier, as some sections require good legs. The advantage is that several access points allow you to modulate the length of the walk according to the tribe’s motivation.
Nature activities and outings: learning while pedaling
During the school vacations, the Baie de Somme tourist offices offer guided outings on marsh birdlife, dune flora and local heritage.
These interactive workshops introduce children to Picardy’s biodiversity while pedaling gently between two stops at the Marquenterre observatories. Riddle books and treasure hunts line the greenways, turning every break into a lively lesson in waders and salt meadows.
Taking part in these family outings in the Baie de Somme encourages young and old alike to observe migratory birds and seals, and breathe in the iodized air, far from tablets and the urban hustle and bustle. It’s an original way to enhance cycling in this Grand Site de France!
To include in your weekend programme:
- The Bay National Nature Reserve: salt meadows, waders and halophilous flora. Guided tours from Saint-Valery.
- Musée Picarvie(Saint-Valery-sur-Somme): Reconstituted artisan workshops for children.
- La Maison de la Baie(Saint-Valery-sur-Somme): Interactive exhibitions on fauna/flora and seals.
- Parc Salomon (Saint-Valery-sur-Somme): 130 workshops (zip lines, monkey bridges), from age 3, continuous lifeline. Bonus Escape game.
Highlights: steam train, seal watching and crossing the bay on foot
No trip to the Baie de Somme would be complete without trying out the famous steam train. Children love this activity because of the impressive locomotive, but also because of the gentle ride between Le Crotoy, Noyelles-sur-Mer and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Watching the landscape go by behind the old-fashioned windows arouses everyone’s curiosity, while the staff are happy to answer any questions the little passengers may have.
At the port of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, it’s not unusual to come across families and groups ready to embark on a walk across the bay with a naturalist guide. Equipped with suitable clothing (boots or shoes that don’t fear mud or water), children set off in the footsteps of salt meadow sheep and discover how to read the foreshore. This adventure gives rise to some great tide stories, often told by our enthusiastic guides.
Discovering seals at Le Hourdel: guaranteed amazement!
One of the must-do experiences for the whole family remainsseal watching at Le Hourdel. The site, located at the southern tip of the bay, allows you to see these animals in their natural habitat, lying on the sandbanks at low tide. Binoculars will delight the curious, as they watch for plunges and placid yawns.
Guides regularly accompany these outings, informing young and old alike about the lives of grey and harbor seals, and how to preserve their peace and quiet. Taking the time to listen to these explanations encourages the discovery of nature while respecting local species.
Parc du Marquenterre: a bird’s paradise
Special mention for the Parc du Marquenterre, a veritable showcase of biodiversity in the heart of the Baie de Somme. This protected area is home to many species of migratory birds, including storks, spoonbills and herons. The observatories scattered along the route plunge visitors into a fascinating universe, ideal for contemplation or drawing for dreamy children.
The park’s animators often offer educational activities adapted to all ages. With their fascinating stories about migrations or the mysterious feathers they come across on the trail, they enchant the curious and the budding biologists alike. If you’ve got little walkers in your group, bring a stroller or opt for the shorter loops.
Visits to typical towns: medieval charm and seaside spirit
between historic walks and local markets
Over the weekend, it’s impossible to resist the temptation to visit the emblematic towns of the Baie de Somme. Each has its own unique character and offers a variety of activities to share with the whole family. From historical walks to local markets, there’s no shortage of things to discover.
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme Saint-Valery-sur-Somme’s first attraction is its medieval quarter, known as the Courtgain, where flower-filled alleyways, picturesque houses and artisan stores create a fairytale setting. Strolling along these cobbled lanes often amuses children, especially when it’s time to take up a challenge proposed by the game booklets. The port is also a pleasant place to stop and stroll past the colorful boats or enjoy a snack under the rays of the setting sun.
Le Crotoy: a family haven of relaxation
As mentioned above, Le Crotoy is the perfect destination for families looking for calm and authenticity. With its strong family atmosphere, this small resort offers a wide range of activities for children, including merry-go-rounds on the seafront, adapted bike rentals and beach clubs in high season.
During spring tides, observing the marine fauna becomes a life-size game for all, reinforcing the link with the omnipresent nature around the bay.
The many restaurants and tearooms welcome visitors in search of local delicacies after a stroll. Tasting an artisanal waffle with a view of the sea is just one of the simple pleasures that children and parents love on a successful weekend.
Festive atmospheres and local markets
The Saint-Valery-sur-Somme marketand Le Crotoy are not to be missed. You’ll discover Picardy flavours, fresh fish and labelled products from the marshes, while musicians and street performers set the convivial tone typical of the region. A visit to one of these markets is also an opportunity for children to broaden their palette of tastes and take home some gourmet souvenirs.
Several festivals and cultural events punctuate local life from spring onwards, with concerts, donkey races and travelling shows, to the delight of small tribes looking for original activities to enjoy together.
Where to stay: 4-star Le Walric campsite, the ideal family retreat
A family holiday is also a promise of restful nights and convivial moments, all in a secure setting.
The 4-star Le Walric campground in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is the perfect base from which to explore the area and make the most of a weekend full of new discoveries and shared memories.
Our campground offers comfortable mobile homes for rent, spacious campsites , and family-friendly amenities.
An indoor heated pool, playgrounds, and children’s activities: everything here encourages you to spend time together in a relaxed atmosphere, just minutes from the main attractions of the Somme Bay.
After a long walk in Marquenterre Park or aseal-watching session, settling in at Le Walric means enjoying an affordable family campground—a cozy retreat where every member of the family feels at home, from the youngest to the oldest.
