Last-minute weekend in the Bay of the Somme

Have you decided to head to the Baie de Somme this weekend? Just two hours from Paris, it’s one of the few destinations where a last-minute getaway almost always turns into a pleasant surprise. Here’s how to truly enjoy a last-minute weekend in the Baie de Somme without having to plan everything months in advance.

Famille chargement voiture pour des vacances dans la Baie de Somme

An impromptu weekend two hours from Paris

How about a getaway with your partner, family, or friends in northern France? There are places you stumble upon by chance and leave feeling transformed. The Baie de Somme is one of them. Our campground in the Baie de Somme is the perfect place to stay!

Two or three days is all it takes. And for many Parisians, Normans and northerners, it’s the ideal destination for a change of scenery: immense beaches, low-angled light on the mollières, free-roaming seals and Belle Époque steam trains. An immediate change of scenery.

Take the A16 motorway towards Boulogne-sur-Mer, exit at Abbeville or Rue depending on your destination.

1 h from Amiens
1 h from Rouen
2 h from Lille, Paris and Reims

By train, the Paris-Boulogne line serves Abbeville and Noyelles-sur-Mer. From Noyelles, the bay’s historic railroad runs to Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

Last-minute accommodation

To fully appreciate the Baie de Somme, nothing beats camping. Unlike hotels, campsites in the bay are more likely to offer last-minute availability.

This is the type of accommodation that best suits the area: you rise to the rhythm of the tides, hop on a bike to get to the beach, and return in the evening with sand in your shoes.

The offer is wide and of high quality. There are numerous campsites in key towns such as Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Le Crotoy, most of them 4-star with heated indoor pools.

On a budget, expect to pay around €70 per night for a 2- or 4-person mobile home, and €30 for a tent or camper pitch. Discover our tips for booking cheap camping in the Baie de Somme.

Le Walric campsite in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme welcomes you from April 1st to November 1st, in 6 hectares of lush greenery. A perfect base for exploring the Baie de Somme and the Picardy coast.

Last-minute camping weekend in the Baie de Somme

Weekend itinerary in the Bay of the Somme and program Friday Saturday Sunday

The weekend program

From Camping Le Walric, 1 km from the center of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, everything is just a few minutes away on foot, by bike or by car.

Friday evening: packing up

The quays of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme: first stroll across the bay, views of salt meadows, mollières and the estuary.
La chapelle de Saint-Valery: one of the finest viewpoints in the Bay, a peaceful spot with a charming heritage and a photogenic stopover at sunset.

Saturday: The Bay’s must-sees

The medieval town of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme: the “quartier des Marins” (the Courtgain), the Porte de Nevers, the ramparts and the panoramic view over the bay.
The Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme Departure aboard the historic train for a panoramic view of the bay.
Le Crotoy Le Crotoy: a village facing south across the bay, from the port to the beach, from the Quai Courbet to the Bassin des Chasses, one of the bay’s must-see ports of call.
Parc du Marquenterre: a major natural site in the bay, with trails between dunes, marshes, reed beds and observatories, ideal for observing migratory birds (300 species).

Sunday morning: before setting off

Take a stroll through the markets in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme or Cayeux-sur-Mer, and pick up some local specialties (ficelle picarde, salicornes, samoussas de la mer, terrines de poisson, agneau des prés-salés…).
La Pointe du Hourdel: at Cayeux-sur-Mer, walk to the headland, see the lighthouse, enjoy the great pebble landscape and watch the seals at low tide.

Things to Do in the Baie de Somme

What to book 24 hours in advance

A last-minute weekend doesn’t have to mean leaving without any forethought. A few simple reservations, made the evening before from the comfort of your sofa, are all it takes to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Seals by pirogue: this is the most popular activity in the bay. Places go fast, even out of season. A quick phone call or online booking the day before is usually enough.

Crossing the bay on foot with a guide: this walk through the estuary is a unique and potentially dangerous experience without a guide. Groups are limited in number, and departures are timed to the tides: this is the most urgent reservation to make.

Steam trains: the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme is often fully booked at weekends, especially during the May bridges. Book as soon as your departure is confirmed.

Restaurants: the best addresses in the port of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme fill up quickly on weekends. An afternoon phone call is all it takes, but don’t delay.