Talk of the French coastline and most people think of the azure waters of the Med, but France’s northern coast is an overlooked beauty. Tomas Mowlam explains the attraction of the Côte d’Opale (Opal Coast).

Stretching between Calais and Berck-sur-Mer, the Côte d’Opale is 120 kilometres of sandy beaches, dunes, cliffs and dramatic coastline.

The best beaches and resorts are around Boulogne and Le Touquet, and the really family friendly beach at Berck Plage. During the summer they’re often thronged with tourists from all over the continent, but deserted during the winter if you’re in need of a quiet get away.

Cycling and hiking along the coast is a treat and there’s plenty of small coastal towns where you can stock up on supplies or just take in the scenery. In good weather the light shimmers of the water like a gemstone (hence the name) something which made it a favourite location of the impressionists, and there’s some great museums and galleries in towns like Rouen and Dieppe.

Blazing sunshine is not as guaranteed as on the Mediterranean coast, but there’s plenty of things to do away from the beach. The famous sites of WWI battles are only a short drive away, and well worth a visit for anyone with even a passing interest in 20th century history.

An equally short drive the other way down the coast are the beaches of the Normandy landings like Omaha, Sword and Juno.

If this all sounds a bit sedate and you fancy something to get the pulse racing a little faster then why not try sand yachting. A sand yacht is essentially a go kart with a sail, and well suited to the flat Norman beaches, picking up a stiff breeze will take you 40 mph and faster.

Let P&O get you there; a crossing from Dover to Calais in a car with up to nine people starts from just £30.

Image Credit: Giåm

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