Opal Coast – Two Capes

Twin headlands of chalk and sandstone at the narrowest point of the English Channel, with Wissant beach as a base; look across to England, and visit the Boulogne aquarium and the walled Upper Town nearby.

The Opal Coast – Deux Caps lies in the Pas-de-Calais department of the Hauts-de-France region, facing the narrowest part of the English Channel (the Strait of Dover), just over 30 kilometers from Dover in England. Its centerpiece is the Grand Site des Deux Caps: Cap Blanc-Nez to the east is a chalk cliff, Cap Gris-Nez to the west is a sandstone headland, and between them stretches the long sandy beach of Wissant Bay. On clear days, the White Cliffs of England are plainly visible across the water.

The area breaks down into three parts. Between the two capes and the coastal cliffs, dunes and fishing villages of Wissant, Audresselles, Ambleteuse and Wimereux, the GR120 coastal path is ideal for hiking. Boulogne to the south has Nausicaá, one of Europe's largest aquariums, and the walled Upper Town. Calais to the north has the UNESCO-listed belfry, Rodin's The Burghers of Calais and the mechanical dragon.

This coast was also the front line of Hitler's Atlantic Wall during the Second World War. Inland, La Coupole at Wizernes and the Éperlecques bunker are the sites of V-2 rocket facilities. The climate is mild maritime: May–September is best for hiking and July–August for swimming. The wind blows year-round, so bring rain gear and a windproof jacket.

Getting there: the TGV from Paris reaches Calais or Boulogne in about 1.5–2.5 hours, and Eurostar or the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle makes London quick to reach. Buses between coastal villages run infrequently, so renting a car is recommended. Base yourself in Wissant or Wimereux and plan 2–3 days.

Top sights

Where to eat