With the news that double vaccinated Brits and children under 18 can holiday in France this summer with no need to quarantine on their return, the Hauts-de-France region of Northern France – the UK's closest international self-drive destination - is the perfect choice for an easily accessible short break or family holiday.  With wide open beaches, historic cities and sites, grand chateaux, beautiful gardens and fine French cuisine, the choice of activities and experiences to enjoy is endless, offering something for all. 

Get away from it all in Baie de Somme:  

From seal watching to cycling and sand yachting to barefoot beach walking, the beautiful Baie de Somme makes a superb choice for an away-from-it all break.  The vastly varying tides create ever-changing views – from wide stretches of sand, to sparkling waters and also enable a great choice of activities including barefoot beach walking, land yachting at low tide, as well as kayaking and boat trips when waters are higher. 

The area is particularly renowned for its wildlife, with the landscapes forming a unique habitat for all types of marine life and birds.  Along with the seal colony, there is also an Ornithological Park at Marquenterre, home to some 360 species of bird.  

Visit the pretty medieval city of St Valery sur Mer, with its remains of the city walls, narrow cobblestone streets and colourful fishermans cottages in the sailors' quarter, known as the 'courtgain'.  You can also take a steam train over to the other side of the bay, to the sandy beach at Le Crotoy. 

There is a host of accommodation depending on your budget and the type of holiday you're looking for. 

For families, try the family-friendly Hotel Le Cap Hornu, right on the edge of the bay, with wonderful sweeping views. With a heated pool, it is within walking distance of the beach and there are options for horseriding and cycling nearby.   It also has a no-cars policy on its 37-acre site, making it a very welcome safe space for children.  

https://www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk/nature-reigns-a-family-weekend-break-hotel-le-cap-hornu   Book a family room from 426 Euros for three nights (sleeping up to four people).  

Alternatively, stay at the fantastic Campsite Dune Fleurie, just 2km from the beach and featuring a water park, heated covered pool, play area and children's 'farm'.   A four person Habana Top cabin is available from 707 Euros per week. 

For a more grown-up retreat, an ideal escape for those looking for a restful and relaxing beach holiday can be found at one of the biggest beaches between the Baie de Somme and the Baie d'Authie at the Domaine de Diane at Quend-Plage. This five star eco-friendly village surrounded by nature and close to the sandy beach, offers a hotel, villas, cottages and mobile homes in a tranquil setting amongst sand dunes, pine and birch trees. Complimentary bikes are on offer and there's a cycle path down to the sandy beach with the option to have a go at sand-yachting, or alternatively, an extensive spa (complete with hot tub, hammam and sauna) and a swimming pool are all part of the village, making it the perfect spot for a luxury break.

Prices from £138 per night based on 2 adults on a bed and breakfast basis including bike hire and access to the spa and pool.

https://www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk/seaside-spa-hotel-5-star-domaine-de-diane-northern-france

Country Farm Hotel on the Opal Coast: 

For a combination of coast and countryside, guests can enjoy the best of both worlds at the Ferme-du-Vert hotel near Calais, formerly a 19th century farm and now an intimate stylish hotel set in the countryside yet only 15 minutes from the Opal Coast's wide beaches. With its chic country style, excellent restaurant, and local cheese farm on-site, it offers the perfect option for a relaxing break across the Channel.

It's just 25-minutes away from Calais and offers a true escape to rural bliss set in beautiful gardens with country views.  Ferme-du-Vert's restaurant has a Michelin 'Bib Gourmand' and a must is their wonderful cheese which naturally takes centre stage on a farm that makes and matures its own. 

Thomas and his team go the extra mile for their guests preparing a tasty picnic for days out and the fresh and delicious French breakfast is enough to get anyone out of bed with croissants, fresh breads, cheeses, yoghurts, charcuterie meats and fresh fruit. And for those wanting to travel with their dog this summer, it's also pet-friendly.

Prices from £123 per night, based on two sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. https://www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk/opal-coast-country-hotel-a-foodie-cheese-farm-too

Seafood Delights by the Sea in Boulogne-sur-Mer 

Facing the beach at Boulogne-sur-Mer is La Matelote hotel, offering the perfect French getaway, especially for seafood lovers who can combine fine dining in the hotel's restaurant with a behind the scenes cookery lesson with Tony Lestienne mastering some of his recipes and tricks of the trade. The hotel and its restaurant overlook the port whilst the old town perched above the harbour with its cobbled steps and quaint cafes is the perfect spot to soak up the surroundings. 

Plage de Boulogne-sur-Mer is the main beach which offers sand-yachting and kite-surfing for those who are feeling active whilst those looking to switch off and enjoy the sea air can simply relax on a deckchair overlooking the water. 

Boulogne-sur-Mer is France's largest fishing port and renowned for fabulous seafood. Enjoy a walk around the Fishing Quarter and watch the boats come in with the day's fresh catch ready to be sold fresh off the boats in the harbour. Seasonal, super fresh lobster is just one of the region's many seafood delights and what better than to enjoy it cooked fresh from the water by one of the many excellent chefs. Tony Lestienne and his chef son Stellio at La Matelote by Nausicaà in Boulogne-sur-Mer offer a Lobster Menu, whilst Le Châtillon, located in the heart of Capecure (the port area), was originally a restaurant serving sailors and dock workers but is now a renowned seafood eatery owned by an ex-fishmonger who handpicks ingredients for the kitchen. Fish doesn't come much fresher than this. 

Prices from £169 per person for 2 nights, based on two sharing on a dinner (degustation menus) and bed and breakfast basis. 

https://www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk/boulogne-sur-mer-restaurant-degustation-menus-included

Understated Luxury Break in Le Touquet:

Le Touquet's white sandy beach is just one of the highlights of this chic seaside resort and the reason why it is such a popular destination for a self-drive break. In the roaring 1920s and 1930s, Le Touquet was Europe's most fashionable resort, frequented by the British smart set with guests such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Noel Coward, P G Wodehouse, and Winston Churchill all regular visitors.  Some 100 years later, it continues to impress with a cocktail of the very best of French art de vivre and the opportunity to make the most of the great outdoors and fresh sea air. 

For classic Le Touquet's glamour, the iconic, flagship hotel The Westminster is now open after a major renovation which has entirely redesigned the hotel's 115 rooms, bar and two restaurants blending its original Art Deco details with contemporary style.  Ian Fleming reportedly used to arrive at Le Touquet airport with his Aston Martin in the hold of a plane and is said to have written Casino Royale during his time staying at the hotel. The hotel is opposite a woodland park on the main avenue and just 10 minutes' walk away from the beach with a local equestrian centre, an option for horse riding enthusiasts.  The concierge can help arrange activities including golf, riding, sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. As the golfing capital of Hauts-de-France, Le Touquet is also home to three sensational golf courses including La Mer which is the top course in France.

Set between the sea and pine forests, Le Touquet's natural environment also gives visitors plenty to enjoy in the great outdoors from sand yachting along the wide flat beaches, a relaxing horse ride to exploring on its walking trails through the forest and over the natural sand dunes where seals can sometimes be spotted.  There's even a little tourist train to board and explore the town with its art deco style villas as well as its iconic lighthouse with 274 steps to climb.  With a great choice of restaurants and boutiques, weekly markets and an annual summer sand sculpture festival, all in under an hour from Calais, this seaside resort is a real gem to be explored.

Prices in August from £247 per room per night based on 2 adults sharing a superior room.  To book visit Le Westminster, Le Touquet, Hôtels Barrière (hotelsbarriere.com)

For further ideas on activities and accommodation in Hauts-de-France, visit www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk

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