The Bay of the Somme, one of the most beautiful natural sites in France

The Somme rises at Fonsomme, far inland in the Aisne département. As it criss-crosses the Hauts-de-France region and absorbs its tributaries, the Somme increases in flow, becoming a river that flows through the countryside of its namesake département, before ending its course directly in the sea.

As it does so, its waters drain large quantities of sediment along the way, which is gradually deposited in its estuary. This is where the Somme meets the opposing currents of the English Channel, creating a vast 70km² bay with a muddy, sandy bottom. The tides are responsible for shaping this unique landscape, coming and going constantly, twice a day: a finely-tuned metronome.

Silting up threatens the ports of Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery, which may one day share the fate of Rue: this small village, set back in the marshes, was a prosperous port overlooking the bay in the Middle Ages!

There are two distinct areas in the Baie de Somme. The slikke, which the sea covers every day at every tide, is the vast area of mudflats and wet sand at the heart of the bay: it is possible to venture out there when the sea recedes into the distance. On the other hand, the mollières, the local name for schorre, are large stretches of salt meadows that the sea only manages to cover at high tide.

These two environments are the source of a rich ecosystem, shaped by both nature and man. The mudflats are home to countless shellfish and the brackish waters of the bay are a nursery for fry. All of which makes a delicious larder for the hundreds of species of birds, both sedentary and migratory, that live in the Bay of the Somme, as well as for one of its most emblematic animals, the seal!

The inhabitants of the Bay of the Somme are specialists in fishing and gathering on foot, in search of henons (cockles) or samphire. They have also made the most of the mollières, home to the Hensons, the local breed of horse, long-haired Highland cows and flocks of sheep: the Bay of the Somme salt meadow lamb has been awarded an AOC (protected designation of origin)!

The Bay of the Somme is just as fascinating under a beautiful summer sun as it is under a heavy grey winter sky, on a bright autumn day or a rainy spring day.

Thanks to the tides, the scenery is constantly changing: it's impossible to get bored of this palette of colours, a cameo of blues and greys, evolving hour by hour with the movements of the sea... Many artists have found inspiration in the Baie de Somme, including Alfred Sisley, Philippe Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas, Eugène Boudin, Jules Verne, Victor Hugo and Colette.

Today, there are many ways to explore the Bay of the Somme. On foot, local guides will take you through the mudflats and sandy stretches uncovered at low tide, to observe the birds and especially the seals, the real stars of the region.

By bike, which you can take with you on the train, on the roof of your car, or hire locally, you can take advantage of the region's excellent network of cycle paths, such as the complete bypass of the Bay of the Somme from the Pointe du Hourdel to Le Crotoy, or other easily accessible loops for exploring the hinterland (Héron circuit, Avocette circuit, etc.).

You can also swap your two-wheeler for a four-legged ride: horse-riding trips are organised in the Bay of the Somme, giving you the chance to ride the local mascot, the Henson!

When the tide comes in, the Baie de Somme can also be explored by sea. A number of excursion boats offer outings, while kayak hire companies, for individual or accompanied trips, are present in both Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery. So there's plenty to do in the Baie de Somme!