Somme Bay France (18 Amazing Things To Do)

If you are planning a trip to Somme Bay France, make sure to add these activities to your bucket list. Somme Bay is one of the most beautiful places to visit in France. It is part of the Picardie region (now officially Les Hauts de France) and is basically one big nature reserve – home to beautiful birds, a colony of seals and delicious sea plants. This is a part of France that is extra special for us because Hugo grew up here. He is from Ault and has been my personal tour guide for exploring the area since he first brought me there almost 5 years ago.

18 Things To Do in Somme Bay France

1. Go seal watching

When Hugo told me we could go see seals in Somme Bay I practically squealed with delight! Somme Bay is home to France’s largest seal colony and they are certainly a sight to be seen.

Reserve your spot on a tour : seal spotting

2. Eat a delicious moules-frites

This family-run restaurant is no frills but it has the best moules-frites in Ault as well as the most beautiful view of the bay. The best places to go out for moules-frites in the area is L’Horizon in Ault.

3. Visit the gorgeous cliffs in Ault

The stunning cliffs in Ault are a sight to be seen. Absolutely one of my favorite things to do in Somme Bay France!

4. Visit the seafarers’ chapel in Saint-Valéry-Sur-Somme

This beautiful chapel sits on the top of a hill and will give you a gorgeous view of the surronding land. Don’t make the same mistake we did and try to drive to the top. No cars allowed, you must walk up!

5. Visit the pretty houses in Mers-Les-Bains

Walking along the promenade in Mers-Les-Bains is one of my absolute favorite weekend activities in Somme Bay France. The houses are in the 1900s style and feature gorgeous colors and whimsical names. I could see us purchasing any one of them and creating a beautiful Summer home! Plus, Mers-Les-Bains is home to activity #7.

6. Go to a morning outdoor fruit & veggie market in Ault

The market is on Wednesdays and Saturdays and we always start our days here on a Wednesday or Saturday. I highly recommend you stop by to see French culture, check out all the different kinds of cheese on offer and buy some fresh chèvre (or goat cheese) covered with dried herbs because that one’s my favorite!

7. Stop for ice cream in Mers-Les-Bains

All of that walking up and down the beautiful promenade looking out over the ocean in Mers-Les-Bains is bound to make you hungry and what better place to calm that hunger than with an ice cream on the beach. (Pro tip : ask for whipped cream with your ice cream for the best experience!)

Related recipe : French Lavender Honey Ice Cream

8. Pick your own sea plants while crossing Somme Bay on a guided tour

Crossing Somme Bay is a lot of fun. It takes about 3 hours and you will need some good walking shoes that you don’t mind getting sandy and wet. We recommend going with a guide because you must cross (and come back) during low tide to avoid getting caught out on the bay when the tide starts to rise again. Although access to the bay is not controlled, the safest way to cross is with a guide. It is more fun too because you will learn a lot along the way. Your guide will also be able to tell you about the different sea plants and what you can and cannot eat. (Please don’t do this alone!) Find out more information to plan your trip here.

Related recipe : Sea Plant Pesto Recipe

9. Go for a stroll through the Le Tréport fish market

The Le Tréport fish market is a vintage fish market that hasn’t changed much from when it was first built in the 70s. Lots of local fish are on display and are often being sold my the local fisherman themselves. Shopping there is a great (and delicious) way to support the local business in Somme Bay.

Related Recipe : Make our creamy salmon lasagna

10. Go for a walk along Somme Bay in Saint-Valéry-Sur-Somme and see the adorable boats

Saint-Valéry-Sur-Somme is one of my favorite places in Somme Bay. I am sure you will love it to. A definite spot to check off your bucketlist. As you walk along the bay in this beautiful town, you will see beautiful old homes, gorgeous bay views and lots of people walking their sweet little dogs.

11. Have dinner at La Salicorne in Ault

This is the best restaurant in Ault. The dishes are seasonal, using delicious, local produce. There are several fish dishes on the menu and delicious desserts. You will love the French cuisine with a modern twist.

12. Go bird watching at the Parc du Marquenterre

The Parc du Marquenterre is nearly 500 acres of protected swamps, dunes and land. It contains 13 dedicated bird watching spots for amateurs and experts alike. There are expert guides throughout the park available to answer all of your bird-related questions. We loved spending hours walking around, the park, having lunch at the restaurant inside the park and learning so many fun facts we never knew about the local birds in the Baie de Somme!

13. Take a historic train trip on Le Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme

Take a round-trip train ride from Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme to Cayeux-sur-Mer and back. This train line dates all the way back 1887.

14. Go see the lighthouse at La Pointe du Hourdel (le Phare du Hourdel)

The Phare du Hourdel is part of the commune of Cayeux-sur-Mer. It’s located on the South side of Somme Bay. It’s a pretty little lighthouse and a great photo spot.

15. Have a drink on the beach at La Cabine de Mouné in Cayeux sur Mer

This is probably the trendiest place in the area. It was opened a couple of years ago by two friends (one from Paris, the other from Somme Bay) who decided to open a fun, beach bar that would be open all day, host local musicians, serve delicious, often organic and local food, good coffee and awesome drinks. When we are here in the Spring and Summer, you can find us there most days!

16. Have lunch at l’Ardoise in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme

L’Ardoise is one of the best restaurants in the area. You will traditional French dishes on the menu with a more modern twist, as well as some foreign ingredients. I had a delicious coconut curry fish stew there once that I loved. Make sure to reserve in advance because this restaurant fills up quickly, especially during the Spring and Summer months when there are more visitors in Somme Bay.

17. Admire the beautiful homes and lush nature in the Bois de Cise

The Bois de Cise is a small, natural wood, it was initially wild and uninhabited. In the late 19th century, the wood was divided into plots and sold for development. It became a famous seaside resort during the Belle Epoque, and several of the houses you can see as you walk through the wood date back to that time period.

16. Go for a nature walk along Le Hable d’Ault

Le Hable d’Ault is a beautiful nature reserve and a wonderful spot to go for a nature walk. Dogs are accepted here as well, so if you will be travelling with a dog, you can bring them on your nature walk!

18. Walk the sand dunes in Brighton, Somme Bay

There are the most beautiful sand dunes in Brighton, about a 7 minute drive or 30 minute walk from Cayeux-sur-Mer. I definitely recommend going for a walk through the dunes and taking photos. Just beware, if you go on a windy day, you may find yourself in a bit of a sand storm!

If you want to spot sand dunes in another part of the Baie de Somme, you can also find beautiful sand dunes in Saint Quentin en Tourmont, next door to the Parc du Marquenterre.

19. Stop for crêpes in Mers-les-Bains

As you walk through the small villages of Somme Bay, you will see food trucks on the beach selling crêpes, fries and more. The food can be a bit hit or miss. The best food is in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme in my opinion, but if you want a sweet bite in Mers-les-Bains, you will not be disappointed by the tasty crêpes along the boardwalk, at — .

20. Buy some argousier (seaberry) products

Argousier (or seaberry) is grows all over Somme Bay and is a product that is commonly used to infuse various food products in the area. You can find argousier tea, argousier-infused honey, argousier-infused caramel and more as you explore the darling villages around Somme Bay. An added bonus, is that teaberry is extremely naturally rich in vitamin C and you can even buy the pure juice and drink a teaspoon each day to boost your immune system.

Where to eat in Somme Bay

• Our favorite place for drinks (inside) : Hôtel-Spa les Corderies in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme
• Our favorite place for drinks on the beach : La Cabine de Mouné in Cayeux-sur-Mer (only open during the warmer months generally, so check the link before you go!)
• Our favorite places for crêpes : Mers-les-Bains
• For a fabulous lunch or dinner : our three favorite restaurants in the area are La Salicorne in Ault and l’Ardoise in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme and l’Horizon in Ault.

Where to stay in Somme Bay

• Hotel-Spa Les Corderies (Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme)
• Villa Aultia (Ault)
• Le Cise (Bois de Cise) (Ault)

More things to do in France

• Gerberoy France (visit this gorgeous medieval village just an hour from Paris and an hour and a half from Somme Bay for delicious food and gorgeous flowers!)
• Boulogne-sur-Mer (one hour from Somme Bay)
• Nausicaa Aquarium (the best aquarium in France, about an hour away from Somme Bay)
• La Matelote (a fabulous, Michelin starred restaurant in Bologne-sur-Mer)
• Hotel Atlantic Wimereux (fine dining in Wimereux along the coast)
• Visit the military cemeteries, including Somme American Cemetery

Bay of Somme Map

Somme Bay France

Are you adding these things to do in Somme Bay France to your bucketlist?

Pin for later!

Pin for later!