The UK's Favorite French Resort Destination Is A Charming Coastal Town Known As 'London By The Sea'

With good food and a little old-fashioned glamor, France's northern coast serves seaside holidays well. Trips to the coast are all about long beach walks, leisurely seafood lunches, and a few days away from the responsibilities of everyday life. Le Touquet (the common shorthand for Le Touquet-Paris-Plage) offers just that mix of leisure and polish, and it's been a favorite getaway for British vacationers since the early 20th century. The resort town sits about an hour south of Calais by car, close enough for a weekend away but with the architecture, food, and seaside atmosphere of a proper French holiday destination. It became fashionable in the 1920s and '30s, with opulent villas and hotels established in the town by English businessman John Whitley, per The Telegraph. Hence, Le Touquet became known as "London by the Sea."

Famous names that have holidayed in Le Touquet include various British high society members and royals — not least among them Queen Elizabeth II, who visited in her childhood (and for whom the local airport was named). In its early popularity among Brits, The Telegraph reports that Le Touquet was characterized as an "enchanting unreality." Today, Le Touquet's appeal extends beyond its former reputation as an escape from reality for aristocrats and celebrities, though the old-fashioned resort atmosphere hasn't gone anywhere. Between afternoons on the beach, visitors can cycle the surrounding forest or try out sand-yachting. Browse some boutiques and patisseries, or stop for local produce at the Art Deco covered market, a fixture since the Jazz Age. Golf has a big part in Le Touquet's identity, too, with three courses set among the dunes and woods.

Le Touquet sits on the Opal Coast in the castle- and sand dune-filled French department of Pas-de-Calais. The coastline lends Le Touquet one of its biggest draws: the expanse of fine sand beach that runs nearly 7 miles. At its northern end sits the Canche Bay Nature Park, then it continues south to Stella-Plage. It's a public beach, so there's no admission fee or need to reserve a spot. There are some seasonal beach stalls and clubs for refreshments. A designated lifeguarded area makes it safer for swimmers. The beach is also a popular spot for sand-yachting, a sport that takes advantage of the Opal Coast's powdery sand and breezes. Visitors can book an introduction or lesson through the local operator that specializes in the watersport, Centre Nautique de la Manche Bertrand Lambert.

Cycling is another big part of Le Touquet's outdoor appeal, thanks to its network of bike paths that connect seaside promenades, wooded avenues, and a large pine forest. It's an easy way to see more of the resort than you might cover on foot, whether you're pedaling between the beach and town center or heading into the shade of the pines. A low-difficulty, roughly 6-mile route takes in the iconic Casino Barrière, the waterfront, sand dunes, and a wildlife observatory.

Golfers have three reasons to stick around Le Touquet — namely, the Le Touquet Golf Resort's three courses. One is the 18-hole La Forêt, the oldest course (opened in 1904), which winds through the pines. La Mer, an 18-hole links course, is the resort's signature challenge, with rolling dunes and views towards the English Channel. For beginners, Le Manoir offers a shorter nine-hole course.

Though you might bike to explore some of Le Touquet's coastal landscapes, the town itself is pretty easy to navigate on foot. Much of its shopping and dining is concentrated in a gridded center, right next to the seafront. You'll see lots of Belle Époque-style villas, glamorous touches that square with Le Touquet being one of the celebrity hangouts in France. Rue Saint-Jean is the main shopping strip, with lots of fashion boutiques, cafes, and pastry shops. You might make stops at Au Chat Bleu — a chocolatier dating to 1912 — and Aux Mignardises — a popular, highly reviewed crêperie that also makes its own ice cream.

One stop that's worth a visit for travelers interested in local food is the Marché Couvert, under a 10-minute walk from the beach. The market has been around since 1932, with a distinctive semicircular layout and arches. Inside, the Office de Tourisme du Touquet Paris Plage notes that stalls sell fresh fish and seafood, cheeses, meats, seasonal fruits and veggies, and olives, among other regional products. Keep an eye out for the Ratte du Touquet, a type of small, local potato prized for its chestnut flavor. The market is generally open on Thursday and Saturday mornings year-round, with an additional Monday market during summer.

Travelers based in Paris can take a train from the capital and reach Le Touquet in under three hours (with a bus to cover the final few miles from the station). Visitors coming from the U.K. can take the Eurostar from London to Paris (one of Rick Steves' top border-busting day trips in Europe), or drive about an hour from Calais after crossing the English Channel.