Euro connections

France two ways, and a quick dip in Northern Spain!

Northern France

Andrew and May Clark take in some of the rich coastal heritage 

St-Valery-sur-Somme has always been one of our favourite tour destinations, mainly because this was the first place that we ever visited in France.

On the Bay of the Somme, this fine old city is in a unique location, where water, marshland and dunes all meet – land and sea merge into one.

Floral displays

The compact city centre has an air of untouched charm, with old waterfront cottages, narrow cobbled streets and colourful floral displays all adding to its historic beauty.

A plentiful selection of speciality shops, restaurants and cafés, and the riverside boardwalk running the full length of the town, all add to the huge appeal of the place.

From the stone-built quayside, the sightseeing ship Commandant Charcot sails regularly for pleasure trips around the beautiful bay area.

Alternatively, you could catch the 80-year-old Somme Bay Railway steam train, with open carriages, for a voyage of discovery along the banks of the Somme and beyond.

To the west, in a strategic elevated position, is the medieval walled town and St Martin’s Church, which dates back to the 11th century. From the courtyard at the rear, you can see splendid views across the bay.

We pitched for our one-week stay at the five-star Château de Drancourt, just a couple of miles inland.

Just outside the campsite, good cycle paths connect most of the villages and beyond. A short distance away is scenic Le Hourdel, a little fishing harbour with a sweeping pebble beach.

These shores are also home to the largest seal colony in France. You can watch them basking at low tide, while you enjoy a picnic among the dunes.