Étaples: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Every year, the procession and blessing of the sea in Étaples commemorate the sailors who died at sea and preserve the town’s maritime heritage. Both events are organised by the Association Sauvegarde et Souvenir des Traditions des Marins-Pêcheurs Étaplois (ASSTMPE).

Those who choose Étaples as their holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment there.

Culture and history

The Musée de la Marine welcomes visitors year-round for free admission, except during its annual closure in January.

The Musée de la Marine displays full-size boats, models of boats and fishing equipment, as well as tools once used in traditional maritime trades.

The Chantier Leprêtre has been carrying out traditional wooden boatbuilding work since 1951, including the construction and restoration of traditional boats. During a 45-minute guided tour, visitors can explore the active boatyard and learn about traditional boatbuilding techniques.

Guided city tours introduce visitors to the history of Étaples and lead them through its streets to discover the picturesque architecture of the fishing town and key historic sites.

The Étaples Military Cemetery is France’s largest Commonwealth war cemetery and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sea and nature

Maréis in Étaples-sur-Mer is a visitor centre combining a museum and aquarium, focusing on the fishermen of Étaples and the marine environments of the English Channel and the North Sea.

During an almost two-hour guided Maréis tour, visitors follow the journey of a fish from the sandy and rocky seabeds of the North Sea to the port of Étaples, including the bridge of a reconstructed trawler.

The GR du littoral coastal trail crosses the Baie de Canche nature reserve over 10.7 km. The nature reserve is open to the public via its paths.

The Centre Nautique de la Canche offers sailing trips for all levels through its École de Voile, scheduled according to the tides.

Food and drink

The Parcours de la mer à l'assiette combines a visit to Maréis, a guided walk around the port area and a tasting of seafood prepared by the chef of the Planète Océan restaurant.

The Fête du Hareng Roi brings together almost 10,000 visitors over a weekend in November to taste herring and enjoy folk music and sea shanties.

Other places in the same higher-level area: Tingry, Wimereux, Gosnay, Fruges, Bainghen, Isbergues, Marconne, Leulinghen-Bernes

To the higher-level travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.