Maybe it’s the Brigitte Macron effect and her now-iconic Villa Monéjan, but we’ve been dreaming for a while about a seaside escape to Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. And this weekend offers the perfect excuse to head back: on May 30th and 31st, the racecourse hosts the very first edition of Objets & Jardins, a brand-new event celebrating French art de vivre through tableware, interior design and chic gardening. So we packed our knitwear, windbreaker, loafers, notebook and pen to jot down the best spots and activities not to miss, all while soaking up a refreshing breath of sea air just 2.5 hours from Paris. Follow the guide.
The Perfect Hotel to Check-In
It’s impossible to think of Le Touquet without mentioning the iconic aura of the Westminster, the legendary 5-star hotel that has welcomed celebrities from around the world since the Roaring Twenties. With its striking red-brick façade — a nod to the many British visitors who once flocked to the area — designer Bruno Borrione has created cosy rooms in elegant shades of brown, blue and sienna.
Alongside its lovely indoor pool and hammam, the Nuxe Spa offers exceptional body treatments to melt away the stress of the week. Alternatively, settle into the hotel’s stylish cocktail bar, a favourite for romantic rendezvous.
Come evening, book a table at the brasserie La Table du West and enjoy an enticing set menu (€54 for starter, main course and dessert) crafted by Michelin-starred chef William Elliott. On the menu: lemony prawns, grilled beef with asparagus, plaice with seasonal vegetables, marinated scallops with peas, royal matchsticks, pistachio cream and vanilla flan — best paired with a glass of Beaujolais (€14).
One of life’s simple pleasures here? Breakfast overlooking the charming little urban forest just opposite the Westminster.
We love: the genuinely dog-friendly atmosphere of both the hotel and Le Touquet in general. Four-legged guests are welcomed with bowls, baskets and treats. Adorable.
Westminster, Avenue du Verger, 62520 Le Touquet. +33 3 21 05 48 48. Rooms from €241.
A Stroll on the Beach
Visiting Le Touquet without a stroll along its vast sandy beach would mean missing the very essence of this iconic seaside resort. Why not elevate the experience with a horseback ride by the sea? Expect to pay around €60 for a 90-minute gallop along the shoreline with the Centre Équestre du Touquet. Feeling adventurous? Try a sand yachting initiation with the Centre Nautique de la Manche and become one with the wind and waves (€52 per person). The perfect way to return home with rosy cheeks and a head full of fresh sea air.
The Tea Room that Hits the Spot
Take a seat on the sunny terrace of Opaline, a charming blue-and-white tea room overlooking the Jardin des Arts. Siblings Charles and Julie serve a tempting selection of homemade pastries and comforting hot drinks: lemon meringue tart (€8.50), Paris-Brest (€8.50), sugar pancakes (€4.50), alongside creamy coffees (€2.90), hot chocolate (€4.90) and their signature organic tea available to purchase (€5.50).
Also worth trying: the brunch menu served daily from 11am to 3:30pm, including juice, a hot drink, pastries, a savoury plate and homemade dessert (€34).
Opaline, 43 avenue du Verger, 62520 Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. +33 3 21 81 42 46. Open Thursday and Friday from 8:30am to 6:30pm, weekends until 7pm.
The Best Seafood
For a classic seafood platter experience, head to Pérard, the local seafood institution also famous for serving one of the region’s best fish soups (€16 all-you-can-eat). Grilled whole sea bass (€37), lobster bouillabaisse (€49), oysters (€15 for 12 Fine de Claire No.3) — the menu evolves with the seasons to guarantee the freshest catch year-round.
Even better? Book a table with chef Alexandre Gauthier, the two-Michelin-starred talent behind La Grenouillère, just 15 minutes from the town centre. At Sur Mer, arguably the chicest seafood counter on the Opal Coast overlooking the English Channel, expect roasted skate wing with capers (€26), grilled cod (€25), stunning seafood platters loaded with shellfish, sashimi, crustaceans and sea urchins (from €25), endless oysters and an unforgettable smoked haddock fish & chips (€20). A true must-visit.
Pérard, 67 rue de Metz, 62520 Le Touquet. +33 3 21 05 13 33. Open daily from 12pm to 2:30pm and from 7pm to 9:30pm (10pm on Saturdays). Online booking available.
Sur Mer, boulevard de la Manche, 62155 Merlimont. +33 3 21 94 67 53. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm to 2:30pm and from 7pm to 9:30pm.
Things to See and Do
- Try the creatively Mexican cuisine at Mezquité (€40 menu).
- Grab a takeaway crepe at Aux Mignardises (praline €4.50).
- Visit the always fascinating exhibitions at the Musée du Touquet-Paris-Plage. Currently, JonOne is in the spotlight!
- Bite into a burger at Burger Fermier des Enfants Rouges (menu starting from €14).
- Pick up local products at the Rendez-vous du terroir, every Sunday morning at Place Quentovic.
- Enjoy a bottle of natural wine at the gourmet bistro restaurant Les Canailles .
How to Get There?
Arrive at Étaples - Le Touquet train station. Opt for a direct train (2.5 hours) and catch a shuttle that always coincides with the arrivals of major train lines and will take you to the city center in fifteen minutes (€1 per person for the ride).
Reservations: www.oui.sncf Shuttle schedules: www.letouquet.com
For more information, visit www.letouquet.com.
© Le Touquet-Paris-Plage
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