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Located in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region, Boulogne-sur-Mer has a population of about 40,000 and enjoys a prime location overlooking the English Channel. As France’s leading fishing port, the city is known for its rich maritime heritage, its fortified old town, and its long beaches stretching out to the open sea. This natural, seaside setting makes it an ideal playground for lovers of outdoor and water-based activities. Discover 7 must-try activities in one of the most vibrant destinations on the Opal Coast.
You can’t visit Boulogne-sur-Mer without stepping inside Nausicaá, the National Sea Center—one of Europe’s largest aquariums, home to 58,000 species of fish and featuring a 10,000 m³ tank. Once there, you’ll have your choice of three immersive educational tours lasting a few hours, designed to educate and amaze.
With “Voyage en Haute Mer,” you’ll explore the Open Ocean tank, a life-size reproduction of a marine environment populated by manta rays, sharks, and schools of fish. The second area, “Des Rivages et des Hommes,” highlights the relationship between humans and the sea through themed aquariums and fun interactive exhibits. Finally, the “Dans l’Œil du Climat” exhibit will take you on an immersive journey into the heart of climate issues and marine biodiversity.
For sports enthusiasts looking for a thrilling activity, the Boulonnais Sand Yachting School offers 2-hour introductory lessons year-round in sand yachting, a sport so typical of the region! After learning the technical basics with your certified instructor, you’ll head to the beach for a guided ride, a practice session, or a course set up just for you, depending on the wind conditions.
As for practical details, all necessary equipment is provided on-site, from the sand yacht itself to the helmet and wetsuit. The club recommends wearing warm, waterproof clothing, along with appropriate footwear and gloves. And if the weather isn’t cooperating on the day of your session, the CBV can offer you an outing on the water aboard single- or two-person kayaks. So be sure to bring a swimsuit and a towel!
Boulogne-sur-Mer and its surroundings offer a natural setting perfect for hiking, featuring chalk cliffs, beautiful sandy beaches, dunes, and wooded countryside. Of all the available trails, we recommend following the area’s most iconic route, the coastal trail (also known as the GR 120), which will take you through the town and along the shores of the English Channel for several dozen kilometers. From the waterfront, you can head to Wimereux or Équihen-Plage for a hike punctuated by magnificent views of the ocean horizon.
On a clear day, you might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the English coast! Other routes will take you to explore the Pointe des Oies or the rolling paths of the Boulonnais region, in the heart of the Grand Site des Deux Caps. For more information on the routes, their durations, difficulty levels, and access conditions related to the tides, feel free to contact the Boulogne-sur-Mer Tourist Office, which will help you choose the routes best suited to your needs.
If there’s one monument you must visit during your stay in Boulogne, it’s this one! The Column of the Grande Armée is a major historical monument commemorating the Napoleonic era in the Boulonnais region. Standing approximately 50 meters tall and erected between 1804 and 1824 in honor of Napoleon I, it dominates the landscape of the Opal Coast and offers a unique view of the coast, the Boulogne countryside, and the sea.
Tours are organized throughout the year, including access to the park and the small museum, which displays historical artifacts and a restored statue of Napoleon. Once there, you can climb the 269 steps leading to the observation deck to admire the view! Workshops for children are also offered during school breaks, allowing them to discover the site’s cultural history while having fun!
Located just a few minutes from Boulogne-sur-Mer, this escape game center offers three immersive adventures to try in small groups of 2 to 5 players! Among the available scenarios: three rooms, three different atmospheres! For example, you can travel back in time with “Back to the 80’s,” take on the role of an investigator in “Psychiatric,” or try to save a submarine in distress in “Mission Torpedo”!
In addition to the escape games, the venue also offers other activities, such as an interactive TV game show-style quiz, as well as a cozy bar area where you can relax and unwind after your game. Be sure to book in advance, especially for weekends and school breaks!
Hélicéa is a water park dedicated to recreation and wellness located in Saint-Martin-Boulogne, about a 10-minute drive from Boulogne. The complex combines several themed areas in a single location to cater to every interest. On-site, you can enjoy a full-service aquatic area that will delight young and old alike, featuring a lap pool, play pools, massage jets, and water slides...
There’s also a wellness area for those who want to relax, featuring a sauna, steam room, and hot tub. Plus, a 1,200 m² ice rink where you can try your hand at ice skating. Seasonal activities are even offered depending on the time of year, such as a disco on ice. This is the place to check out for families with children!
Louis is something of a chocolate king in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Ever since he was a little boy, this lover of sweet treats has nurtured an unconditional love for chocolate. So much so that he decided to make it his career and open his own shop, “Les Douceurs de Louis,” where he sells his finest creations.
And since this budding master chocolatier loves to share, he’s decided to pass on his passion to fellow chocolate lovers through chocolate-making workshops! If you choose to join him, he’ll teach you how to create your own mendiants and chocolate bars during a fun, 1.5-hour class. From choosing ingredients to the art of tempering, including molding and unmolding: Louis will turn you into true master chocolatiers!
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