Boulogne-sur-Mer

Boulogne-sur-Mer is a coastal city in Northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais, along the Côte d’Opale. We recently visited and we learned a thing or two about planning the perfect trip! This guide details what to do in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where to eat and where to stay. We also share how to get to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the weather there so you can best prepare your trip and some fun souvenirs to bring home.

12 Things to Do in Boulogne-sur-Mer

There are so many fun activities to enjoy during your trip to Boulogne-sur-Mer. If you love the beach, nature, animals and fine dining, you will be in your element in Boulogne-sur-Mer. These are 12 of our favorite activities that we recommend you enjoy during your trip!

Spend a day at Nausicaa Aquarium

Nausicaa is the largest aquarium in Europe and will definitely take a day to visit. You can see all kinds of fish, a panoramic wall to ceiling aquarium, see the sea otters being fed, visit the penguins, touch sting rays and more. You can also enjoy a lovely lunch at the aquarium. We can’t wait to go back!

Buy your ticket for Nausicaa Aquarium here!

black and white penguins at Nausicaa in Boulogne sur Mer

Thank you to Nausicaá Aquarium, l’Office de Tourise du Boulonnais Côte d’Opale and Pas de Calais Tourisme for collaborating with us for this post. All opinions are our own.

Eat at a Michelin starred restaurant

Make sure you eat at La Matelote during your stay. This Michelin starred restaurant is an absolute delight. You can enjoy fresh seafood, gorgeous wine pairings, incredible desserts and a gorgeous decor and ambiance – all for a very affordable price.

If you have more time for wonderful meals during your stay, don’t miss nearby l’Aloze at the Hotel Atlantic in Wimereux and La Sirene at Cap Gris Nez in Audinghen.

creme caramel with exotic fruits at La Matelote Boulogne sur Mer

Go for a walk on the Boulogne-sur-Mer beach

What is better than a long beach walk? Take your camera and head out to take some wonderful photos on the beach. The water in the area, along the Côte d’Opale, is known for it’s blue-green, milky color, that resembles an opal. It really is spectacular. Visit the beach at different times of the day to take in the beauty and enjoy the different colors of the water based on the time of day when you visit.

open beach in France with a man and a dog

Visit the Vieille Ville

There is lots to visit in the Vieille Ville, or old town. There is a gorgeous château to visit, a beautiful museum and lots of small boutiques and cute restaurants to enjoy. Definitely make sure to plan at least a few hours during your trip to be spent in Boulogne-sur-Mer’s old town.

Visit the Chateau Comtal de Boulogne-sur-Mer

Built in the 13th century by Philippe Hurepel, the Château Comtal is built of beautiful stone. The Château is worth of a visit just to take in the beautiful architecture, but it also houses the Boulogne-sur-Mer museum (see below).

old dark brick chateau in Northern France

Visit the Boulogne-sur-Mer Museum

Visit the museum in the Château to learn more about the local history of the area. We were surprised to learn that the Musée de Boulogne-sur-Mer is also home to a lovely collection of Egyptian artefacts, including an authentic mummy. You can also visit Alaskan treasures and French paintings from the 19th century. An eclectic collection that is definitely worth a visit.

bear painting at Musée du Boulogne-sur-Mer

Walk through the Basilique de Notre Dame and its beautiful crypt

The Basilica of Notre Dame in Boulogne is home to an impressive crypt! Walk through long and winding passages, discover wall frescoes and ancient treasures and allow yourself to be taken on a trip into the past.

painted underground crypt in Northern France

Snap a photo of the bejewelled crowns in Notre Dame’s crypt

When travellers visited the crypt, they would bring gifts. Many of those gifts were crowns and jewels. The crown below was an offering to the cathedral featuring the Boulogne ring in the center (the 9 ball golden ring).

jewelled crown in the crypt in Boulogne-sur-Mer

Take a stroll through the darling streets

You will love wandering the streets of Boulogne. Explore the small boutiques and stop for a coffee, a pastry or an ice cream. (Or all 3!)

Go to the fish market

The Boulogne-sur-Mer fish market is beautiful, fascinating and a wonderful place to buy fish. If you happen to be staying in an apartment where you can cook at home, you will want to buy some fish to prepare. We were shocked by the prices. You can find lobster and sole for about half the price it would cost in Paris.

woman selling fish at the fish market in Northern France

Eat fresh seafood

If you are planning a visit to the Northern Coast of France, I hope you love seafood! We were delighted to be able to enjoy a wide array of seafood during our trip, including sole meunière (one of my absolute favorite dishes). Whether you are craving lobster, sole, crab, oysters or shrimp, you will find what you are looking for during your trip!

Eat a traditional Welsh

In addition to all of the glorious seafood, make sure you try the Welsh. It is slightly different than a traditional Welsh rarebit. It is typically served with homemade fries. I recommend enjoying it with a glass of white wine. We tried Welsh at La Table de Nicolas (a favorite place amongst locals) and it was delicious!

traditional Boulogne welsh in Northern France

Where to Stay : Choosing Your Hotel in Boulogne-sur-Mer

La Matelote – La Matelote, the restaurant mentioned earlier in the article, also has a lovely 4 star hotel. In our opinion, this is the best place to stay during your trip.

How long should you stay in Boulogne?

I recommend spending at least 3 days in Boulogne-sur-Mer, but you could absolutely spend longer, 4 days or even a week. 3 days will give you enough time to visit Nausicaa Aquarium, go for lovely beach walks, enjoy the Château and museum, do a little shopping and have some fantastic meals.

Boulogne weather

Boulogne weather is similar to the weather in Paris. Warm in the Spring and Summer and cool/cold in the Fall and Winter.

What to Pack

The weather can shift quickly in Boulogne-sur-Mer, so it is a good idea to pack layers. The general feel of the location is casual and relaxed. You will want to pack pants, tops, a dress or two, comfortable walking shoes, heels for a night out and a hat if you will be walking out on the beach under the sun. Also, don’t forget your bathing suit for the beach if you will be traveling during the Summer months.

What to Bring Home

You are sure to find lots of treasures to bring home during your trip. If you are looking for a souvenir from Nausicaa, you will love the cute gift shop. You can also bring home cheeses, local biscuits and wine from your trip. If you’re not traveling too far, you may even be able to bring some seafood (packed carefully on ice) home with you.

Map of Boulogne-sur-Mer

Take a look at the map below so you can easily find all of the spots discussed in this article.

couple hugging in front of the Boulogne-sur-Mer chateau

How to get to Boulogne-sur-Mer

From Paris

You can drive to Boulogne from Paris in about two and a half hours. It is also possible to get there by train. Trains leave from the Gare du Nord and the trip takes about 2 hours. If you have the possibility to drive, we would recommend it, because it is nice to have a car once you arrive in Boulogne-sur-Mer so that you can exploring the surrounding areas as well.