The best activities in the Baie de Somme

When the conductor blows his whistle, visitors are taken on a timeless journey back to the 1900s. Without running out of breath, the steam train begins its journey at Noyelles station, the starting point of the railway, which has been in use since 1887.

The train ride is a tribute to slowness, and passengers take time to stroll and contemplate the scenery. At 20 kilometres an hour, the train pulls out beside the lock at Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, then plunges into the marshes and salt meadows. This is followed by sandbanks, mudflats, ponds and channels... a complete change of scenery. Not far from the waterways, the luckiest visitors may spot salt meadow sheep, Henson horses or storks.

Seven kilometres of marshes, lakes, dunes and salt meadows separate Le Crotoy from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. At low tide, you can cross them on foot before returning to the starting point on the Baie de Somme little train.

Step by step, walkers make their way through this landscape at the end of the world, an invitation to meditation and reverie. They are witnessing a veritable spectacle of nature, as the sun's rays reflect off the damp sand and dozens of species of birds flutter in the sky.

Accompanied by a guide, you can learn more about the flora and fauna that share these vast iodised expanses. When you arrive at your destination after several hours' walking, you can't help but feel at peace: the problems of everyday life have given way to magnificent memories.

They are the stars of the Bay of the Somme. Hundreds of harbour seals and grey seals - the largest colony in France - find refuge here in this fabulous natural territory. At low tide, they can be seen basking in numbers on the exposed sandbanks: an irresistible sight for all nature lovers!

They can be seen all year round, at both high and low tide. Autumn is mating season, so you should be able to see males frolicking and moving from one female to another. In winter, their appearance depends on the weather conditions: if the climate in the Baie de Somme is mild, you'll have a great chance of spotting them, even if the animals like to stay in the water.

When you see these little round heads popping out of the waves or dawdling at the water's edge, it's very tempting to go and visit them. But for the well-being of the colony, prevention and distance are paramount. This is their territory, so don't get too close and, above all, don't touch them!

An integral part of the Baie de Somme nature reserve, the Marquenterre ornithological park was created in 1973. These 220 hectares of dunes, forests and marshes are a favourite stop-off point for the thousands of migratory birds that stop here for a few hours or for a season. Siberian sandpipers, barnacle geese from the Arctic and spoonbills returning from Africa all stop here.

Two observation trails have been created. These give visitors the chance to get up close and personal with avocets, shelducks and small waders that have come to lay their eggs, feed, rest or mate.

An educational trail has also been set up to give visitors a chance to learn how to recognise the most common birds. Visitors are advised to bring binoculars and set off for the observation posts along the way, ideally with the help of a guide.