Le Crotoy, a pleasant resort on the Bay of the Somme

Le Crotoy has always been closely linked to the Bay of the Somme, its natural environment. When the English Channel recedes into the distance, the marshes of the bay are revealed in their entirety, along with an immense sandy foreshore as far as the eye can see: you wonder where the sea has gone!

All this sand is a symbol of the decline of the fishing port of Le Crotoy. In the Middle Ages, its importance led to the construction of an imposing fortress (13th century), of which only a few remains remain. Joan of Arc was even locked up in its gaols before being transferred to Rouen...

But it was in the 16th century that Le Crotoy reached its apogee, thanks to the important commercial activity of its port, before undergoing a period of decline and then gradually sinking into oblivion.

It wasn't until the 19th century that activity in Le Crotoy picked up again, with the growing popularity of seaside tourism! By 1847, the railway had made it easy to reach the Bay of the Somme from Paris, via Noyelles-sur-Mer station. The face of Le Crotoy changed and it took on all the trappings of a seaside resort of the time: casino, hotels, pretty holiday homes...

A number of great names made Le Crotoy famous: perfumer Guerlain had a house here, as did Jules Verne, and later Colette. Famous painters such as Alfred Sisley and Toulouse-Lautrec, fascinated by the landscapes of the Baie de Somme, came to Le Crotoy for inspiration and relaxation - a trend that continues to this day!

Along with Saint-Valery, Le Crotoy is one of the two resorts offering accommodation on the shores of the Bay of the Somme. Le Crotoy is undoubtedly more popular, but also more airy, and can be discovered on a short stroll. You'll love strolling along the main thoroughfare, rue de la Porte du Pont, with its shops, bakeries and bistros.

This leads to the seafront, where there are still a number of fishmongers, a reminder of Le Crotoy's past as a fishing port. Everything is fresh (and often local) on the stalls, which change with the seasons. Local specialities include hénons (the local name for cockles) in March, which live in colonies in the Bay of the Somme, as well as samphire and "pig's ears" to accompany dishes.

In Le Crotoy, don't hesitate to put on your boots and venture out into the Bay of the Somme at low tide for a great fishing session on foot. At low tide, it's also possible to cross the bay as far as Saint-Valery: it's highly advisable to take a guide for an accompanied outing, as the route is full of pitfalls!

Safer still, it's perfectly possible to stick to the large beach at Le Crotoy, which is unique in that it faces due south. A long stroll along the astonishingly white sand even takes you beyond the boundaries of the resort, towards the Parc du Marquenterre, where the dunes take over from the holiday homes. A seascape of great beauty, constantly changing state according to the tides and the weather: whatever the conditions, the spectacle is grandiose!