The Opal Coast is situated on the north-western coast of mainland France, north of the Picardy coast, opposite the cliffs of south-east England, bordering the English Channel and the North Sea.

It encompasses the coastline of the arrondissements of Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer and Montreuil, i.e. 90 km of coastline between the Aa estuary (in Gravelines) and the Baie d’Authie (in Berck). By extension, the coastline of the arrondissement of Dunkirk if the "Dunes of Flanders" are equated with the Opal Coast.

The main towns are Calais (with a population of 75.000 and an urban area of 125.000) and Boulogne-sur-Mer (with a population of 45.000 and an urban area of 135,000). Dunkirk (population 90.000, urban area 250,000) is located on the "Côte des Dunes de Flandres".
Boulogne-sur-Mer is considered by some to be the "capital of the Opal Coast", due to its central location among the region's main beaches and tourist attractions.
Calais, on the other hand, is seen as the "gateway" to the UK, thanks to its key location.
 

Landscape of the Opal Coast :

The Opal Coast features a varied landscape of beaches, dunes, marshes, estuaries, cliffs and inland areas.
 

The relief is very hilly in places, contrasting with the very low relief of the Dunes de Flandres and the Belgian coast. The coastline is marked by two large cliffs located between Calais and Boulogne: the Cap Blanc-Nez (132m) and the Cap Gris-Nez (50m). The latter is the closest point on the French coast to England.
 

The relief gives way to fine sandy beaches, interrupted by the Baie de Canche national nature reserve and the Baie d'Authie.
 

The "opal dunes and estuary" is one of the major landscape features included in the 2008 Regional Landscape Atlas.

Tourism on the Opal Coast :

The Opal Coast is a tourist destination that attracts large numbers of holidaymakers every year. This beautiful region combines breathtaking scenery with a rich history and fascinating culture. If you are a lover of nature, the Opal Coast offers fine sandy beaches, impressive cliffs and picturesque dunes, ideal for relaxing and walking. History buffs will love visiting the many bunkers and Second World War sites, powerful reminders of our past.

The treasures of the Opal Coast are numerous, both along the coast and inland. Depending on what you're looking for, you're bound to find some must-sees, including the Grand site des Deux-Caps with Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez, as well as Nausicaá, Europe's largest aquarium.

 

Hiking throught the Opal Coast :

In order to access all the itineraries near the gîte, you can download the CIRKWI application (IOS and Androïd) directly onto your mobile phone. More than 43 different itineraries ranging from 1.5 to 16 km will allow you to discover the richness of this heritage and better observe the variety of natural environments in the Boulogne conurbation.

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The Opal Coast in 360° :

Discovering the Opal Coast through 360° videos is an incredible experience that allows web users planning a holiday to take a virtual tour of this magnificent French region. The 360° videos allow you to fully immerse yourself in the landscapes and activities of the Opal Coast.

Thanks to these videos, you can explore the famous cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez, which offer breathtaking panoramic views of the sea. You can also discover the immense sandy beaches, ideal for swimming and water sports. The videos also take you to its charming fishing villages, where you can admire colourful houses and enjoy the region's culinary specialities.

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The Opale Coast in details :

2 complete and detailed websites will take you through the length and breadth of the Opal Coast...

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Le Suroît

Character marine cottage

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