Considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world, the Bay of Somme is an extensive estuary where the River Somme drains into the English Channel. It transforms with the tides from a marshy grassland, attracting leisure boats and bird watchers looking to spot its spectacular wildlife.
Things to do in Baie de Somme
More than 250 different bird species spend part of their year in the Bay of Somme, while the area is also home to France’s largest colony of seals. Join a guided walking tour through the shallow waters to witness these boisterous mammals and gain a better understanding of the flora and fauna that makes this such a special place.
Want to learn more about the natural history of the region? Make sure you visit the Maison de la Baie de Somme in the village of Lanchères. It’s a particularly impressive destination for bird lovers, with realistic recreations of the species found in the bay.
A short drive up the River Somme takes you to one of the largest battlefields of World War I. You can visit the restored trenches and grave sites of the fallen Allied soldiers, then pay your respects at the Thiepval Memorial to those who remain missing.
The picturesque village of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme makes a good base for exploring the Bay of Somme, with charismatic medieval streets and defensive walls to explore. Admire the Gothic church and tower where Joan of Arc was said to have been detained, then soak up the views from the waterfront boardwalk.
Getting around Baie de Somme
The Bay of Somme is located around two hours’ drive north of the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. One of the most picturesque ways to explore the region is on the vintage Somme Bay Railway, as it travels through the swamps and wooded areas around Saint-Valery.