Bagatelle Parc Summer Season 2022

January 7, 2022 by Le Touquet Holidays

Bagatelle Parc - Rang du Fliers

Bagatelle Parc is scheduled to open on Saturday 9th April 2022
The Theme Parc is an excellent place to visit if you are staying at one of our properties in Le Touquet.
Bagatelle offers great value for money, the parking is easy and often you won’t wait very long in the queues.

Always delivers, family fun

The Park provides an experience for the whole family. The rides range from massive roller coasters to water and children’s rides. Why not book in advance and save money on your tickets. On hot days there are some great fountains for the kids to splash about in to keep cool.

Find out more…

Twin Town Challenge 2022 Witney Le Touquet

November 24, 2021November 15, 2021 by Le Touquet Holidays

What is the Twin Town Challenge?

29th April – 2nd May 2022

Established in 2014, the Twin Town Challenge takes place every two years. To date the event has raised over £850,000 for Special Effect. The delayed Twin Town 2022 is the final event and they hope to take the fundraising total to over £1m! for SpecialEffect.

Twin towns Witney – Le Touquet, 100 cars, 1 amazing weekend. The Twin Town Challenge is a fun, team-based car challenge. Buy a £500 banger, add your own style and drive it from Oxfordshire to Le Touquet, France, competing in challenges along the way. All to raise money for technology charity SpecialEffect.

What is the Twin Town Challenge?
At its simplest, the Twin Town Challenge is a fun charity car rally. Teams buy a £500 banger and pimp their ride however they like. Then over Spring Bank Holiday weekend they take an epic road trip.

The route goes from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire to Witney’s twin town, Le Touquet in northern France. Along the way you’ll take on challenges and the occasional lap of a circuit. The event is in aid of SpecialEffect – a charity focused on improving the lives of the physically disabled.

They arrange a series of fun events and challenges before the main event to help you get in the spirit and meet your fellow Twin Towners. These will see you rubbing shoulders with celebrities, stoking team rivalries and having great fun.

The big jamboree is in Le Touquet itself, where our French compatriots throw a street party extravagaza. Expect live bands, fine French food and flowing drinks to help you toast your successful trip!

On the return to Merry England, afternoon tea and an awards ceremony round off a fantastic, fun weekend. All in aid of a great cause.

Accommodation

If you are planning on attending the event and you need some accommodation in Le Touquet then please take a look at our website. We still have availability for this weekend.

Donate

The Twin Town Challenge exists to support the fantastic work of SpecialEffect. They use technology to bring joy and fulfilment to the lives of physically disabled people. If you can’t take part in the Twin Town Challenge you can do your bit by donating. All money raised goes directly to SpecialEffect so please donate what you can today to help SpecialEffect improve more lives.

Every penny you donate will go directly to SpecialEffect. This helps them to provide one-to-one support that enables disabled people to work, play and lead more fulfilling lives through the use of technology.

Your donation will help to pay for occupational therapists, who take the time to understand each person’s needs. They then create customised controllers that can take the smallest movements from any part of the body and use this to control games, programs and other technology.

Text and images Twin Town

V2 Rocket Launch Sites near Le Touquet

December 30, 2020December 30, 2020 by Le Touquet Holidays

V2 Rocket Launch Sites, A Hidden History of Pas-de-Calais.

The Pas-de-Calais department is rich in history, particularly WW1 and WW2 history, due to the heavy presence of occupying Germans in both conflicts. The WW1 sites are famous, but the French state has also turned the remains of several WW2 sites into historic destinations. In particular, it’s restored the bunkers built as V2 rocket launch sites aimed at England in 1944.

Barely more than an hour’s drive from Le Touquet, you can visit two fascinating WW2 places in one day. Both belong to the history of V2 rockets, the first missiles ever launched. After the war, Wernher von Braun’s genius but deadly invention became the early rocket technology of the US space program. Most of the V2s that caused so much death and damage in England in September 1944 launched from the Netherlands. However, the Pas-de-Calais was an experimental and practical site of the V2 rocket programme.

La Coupole: a Megalith for V2s Rocket Launches.

La Coupole is a spectacular place. Squatting the hills near Saint-Omer, it’s a massive dome that hides an underground bunker made up of large rooms and tunnels that any James Bond villain would enjoy. Its purpose was deadly: but its construction had been too. Hundreds of slave labourers were used to build what was conceived as one of the main V2 rocket launch sites. In the event, the Germans abandoned the bunker after the Allies bombed it in the summer of 1944, and it was never used for its purpose.

Nowadays, La Coupole is one of the most ambitious museums in Northern France. This giant concrete dome showcases the scientific and military history of the V2 rockets and a 3D Planetarium about the space age. It also serves as the regional memorial to the victims of Nazi Occupation in France.

A centre to educate and entertain, La Coupole offers several exciting exhibits. It also serves to show documentary films about the Second World War and put on temporary exhibitions. One such is running until the end of June 2019 – British Aviation in the Skies of Northern France, 1943-1944.

Attractions

By far the greatest draw are the V2 rockets circuit and exhibits and the Planetarium. Charting the development of V2 rockets from von Braun’s design board up to the end of the war, the V2 circuit explains and demonstrates early rocket technology. It also explores the historical use of V2s against London and other cities.

The Planetarium screens a 3D show three times a day and picks up where the circuit leaves off, taking the audience from the V2 rockets to the moon landings. To achieve full impact, it is experiential rather than documentary methods, so that you are launched into the exploration of space in 3D, with film, sound and light effects.

Le Blockaus at Eperlecques: hi-tech war in the forest

Less than half-an-hour from La Coupole, across the Parc Naturel Régional des Caps et Marais d’Opale, is the foreboding concrete block known as Le Blockhaus, a German word meaning ‘bunker’. Using slave labour, the Germans built the bunker as a launch site for the V1 flying bomb (also known as the Doodlebug), and for the V2 rockets. They abandoned its original purpose after aerial bombardments in the summer of 1944, and converted it into a liquid oxygen factory.

While less sophisticated than the nearby V2 rocket launch site museum at Wizernes, the Blockhaus demonstrates the reality of the V1 and V2 programme in its harsh reality.

Practical details for your V2 launch sites visits.

Directions

To La Coupole, Wizernes by car from Le Touquet: via the A16 and the N42 roads.
From La Coupole to Eperlecques Blockhaus by car: via the D943 road.
There is a train from Le Touquet (Etaples) to Saint-Omer, and a shuttle called Moveo from Saint-Omer to La Coupole.

Length of visit: La Coupole history museum average length of visit: 2.5 hours.
Open daily from 9AM to 6PM, and in July and August, from 10AM to 7PM. Closed at Christmas and New Year, and every year between the 7th and the 20th of January.
3D Planetarium: 3 sessions a day, consisting of a 15 minutes introduction and 30 minutes show. Shows available in English via audio sets.
Blockhaus at Eperlecques: 45 minutes approximately. The area near the bunker is also popular for picnics.

Facilities at La Coupole: audio sets, shop and café, and a free picnic area.
Accessibility: both La Coupole and the Blockhaus d’Eperlecques are accessible to wheelchairs.

If you find the subject of V1 and V2 fascinating then why not give the 1965 movie “Operation Crossbow” ago. It has a big star cast including Sophia Loren, George Peppard, Trevor Howard. It features the methods used to destroy Hitler’s revenge weapons.

Bagatelle Parc Summer Season 2021

December 10, 2020 by Le Touquet Holidays

Bagatelle Parc - Rang du Fliers

Bagatelle Parc is now scheduled to open on Saturday 24 April 2021
We look forward to discovering the new attraction. The Theme Parc is an excellent place to visit if you are staying at one of our properties in Le Touquet.
Bagatelle offers great value for money, the parking is easy and often you won’t wait very long in the queues.

Always delivers, family fun

Find out more…

International Kite Festival at Berck-sur-Mer

December 4, 2020 by Le Touquet Holidays

Kite Festival Berck sur mer

The International Kite Festival has taken place in Berck-sur-Mer for over 25 years. Next year’s 35th RICV event hopefully will take place in April 2021. The dates are still to be announced due to Covid 19 restrictions.
Over the years it has become an event not to be missed on the Côte d’Opale. For 8 days in wind and sea enthusiasts, athletes or thrill-seekers can admire many giant kites, each with its own unique design.
Due to the numerous visitors during the festival days and the high demand for accommodation it is recommended to check availability and book rooms well in advance.

A Family Activity Day Out

Almost 700,000 spectators come to the vast Berck-sur-Mer beach to marvel the world’s best kite-makers’ new creations. Open to everyone, there is entertainment for all ages. Children can learn how to make and fly kites in a safe environment. Marine life, astonishing flying creatures, giant octopuses, even memorable cartoon characters drift across the sky. A colourful festival where you have your feet in the sand and your head in the sky.

Every Spring, the skies above the beach of Berck-sur-Mer explode with colour. Kites line up in well orchestrated displays for the crowds. Berck-sur-Mer is pretty seaside town 40 minutes from Calais. Is is also a short 25 mins drive from our holiday rental accommodation in Le Touquet. The Kite Festival takes place on the beautiful sandy beach, its a great thing to do for all members of the family young and old. If you can’t make it to the event then why not peek at the Live Webcam on the beach.

Things to See

One of the favourite things to see at the Berck sur Mer kite festival are the flying battles between experts. International teams from all over the world come to take part in this colourful spectacular. On the last evening there is a night time flying display backed up with a firework show. There are many stalls at the event with Kites from many countries. Learn the history of kites or feast on the explosion of colour.

There are fantastic activities for kids. You not only make kites but get to have a go at flying some of the more exotic designs yourself. . For more information about the event visit the organisers website.

Le Touquet is a great base for visiting the Kite Festival and local attractions. Go swimming in the Aqualud, visit the Aquarium in Boulogne (Nausica) try some Sand yachting in Le Touquet, visit the maze at Laby’Parc.

Berck sur Mer Kite Festival Accommodation

If you are coming to the kite festival we currently have plenty of accommodation in Le Touquet just 25 minutes drive away.

Bagatelle Parc Summer Season 2020

June 8, 2020 by Le Touquet Holidays

Bagatelle Parc - Rang du Fliers

Due to the Corona Virus outbreak this year opening has been delayed. The Bagatelle Parc will open its doors for the new season on the 27th June at 10:30 am. The Theme Parc is an excellent place to visit if you are staying at one of our properties in Le Touquet.
Bagatelle offers great value for money, the parking is easy and often you won’t wait very long in the queues.

Always delivers, family fun

Find out more…

Trail Des Deux Baies – Le Touquet Trail of 2 Bays Marathon

July 27, 2021December 16, 2019 by Le Touquet Holidays

Trail Des Deux Baies (Trail D2B)

Trail Des Deux Baies on the 26th January 2020 marks the 13th year of the event. The D2B Trail is a nature run along the coastline of the Opal Coast. Its special features include sand dunes and harsh weather. Its a challenging course made for adventurers. You can pick your race depending on distance and ability, there are 4 races.

A 42km marathon for seasoned competitors, a great preparation for
the marathon des sables or the ultra-trails on a demanding course.
Departure from Le Touquet: 8h00 on the beach to the north €27.
A trail of 23.5km accessible to as many people as possible.
Departure from Le Touquet, South Aqualud: 10:30 a.m. Arrival at Le Touquet Paris-Plage, Hippodrome €20
An 11.5km short trail as well as a golf course.
Departure from Stella Plage: 10:30 am on the beach €14
A 3km short trail for the young competitors.
Departure from Le Touquet: 11h30 on the beach €5

For your convenience, shuttle buses are available for € 3 available betweeen Le Touquet -> Stella.

For the 11.5km: RDV from 10:00 am to the right of the Aqualud near the Skate park (Bd Thierry Sabine) for a departure at 10:30 AM MAXIMUM

Le Touquet Parking Plan.

Last year over 2,200 participants came to let off steam on the Opal Coast. With over 1200 runners already registered time is running out if you want to book your place on this great run. There two mythical bays of the region which offer the participants and the numerous spectators breathtaking landscapes!

Accommodation - Trail Des Deaux Baies

If you have not booked your accommodation in Le Touquet then take a look at our website. We still have some larger properties that are ideal if you are a group of friends entering the race.

You can register online for the 2020 Trail Des Deaux Baies by visiting the organisers website.

Driving In France – Tips

January 23, 2023December 16, 2019 by Le Touquet Holidays

Driving In France

With the recent introduction of the first 3D road crossing in France pedestrians enter a new era. The 3D crossing in Cysoing Northern France is being used to persuade motorist to slow down.
In France waiting on the pavement by a crossing is a waste of time. In order to get drivers to stop you have to put at least 1 or maybe even 2 steps into the road to secure your safe passage.
Zebra crossings in France are rarely marked or illuminated. They often do not have a central island.

In a recent visit to Le Touquet I was impressed with the novel way in which many crossings are being marked. A reflective Red and Blue person is resident stepping onto the crossing on each side of the road. In the dark these cheerful figures show up in your headlights and give drivers a better chance to stop. With the installation of these figures motorists have advanced warning of a crossing.
Drivers who fail to observe pedestrian crossings can expect to have six points added to their driving licence.

Driving In France - General Tips

Drivers often don’t stop – so don’t start walking – unless you’re feeling very brave. French pedestrians often cross at odd points along the road with no zebra crossing so be wary. Often you will find crossings at the exit from roundabouts, exactly where drivers are looking to speed up, so take extra care.

What Does Rappel on a French road sign mean?

Rappel is a reminder that speed restrictions are still in place, stick to the specified limit until you see a different speed sign.

Drive on the right

This should be obvious but many accidents are caused this way every year. Pay particular attention if you are doing a U turn close to a junction. It sounds silly put stick a post it note on your dashboard “Drive on the Right!

Priority on the right

In France when you enter an urban area you will need to give priority to the right. This is a strange rule that we all just have to remember. You must give way to motorists turning onto the road you are on, and in the direction you are travelling.

What driving equipment do I need in France?

You’ll need a full driving licence, insurance and car registration documents. You also need to have with you a warning triangle, headlight adaptors to drive on the right, and a sticker showing your country of origin. With Brexit on the horizon it may also be advisable to obtain an international driving licence from your local post office.

What is the national speed limit in France?

On French motorways the limit is 130km/h, on certain sections of road this reduces to 110km/h. When it’s raining speed limits are lowered and a 130km/h limit will be reduced to 110km/h.

Do I need a GB sticker to drive in France?

Yes unless you have a GB logo as part of an EU number plate.

Do I need my v5 Registration Document to drive in France?

Yes you will need your V5 UK certificate of registration.

Do I need to change my headlights when driving in France?

It is important to deflect your headlight beams right to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Stick on adaptor kits are readily available for all makes of cars. The fitting instructions are sometimes difficult to understand so it’s worth reading these in advance. By reading in advance you’ll find it much easier if you have to fit them whilst on the car deck of a cross channel ferry. If you do need to buy headlight beam adaptors then order them in advance from online retailers. You will be charged around £10 on the ferry – online prices are around £3.50.
Many modern cars allow you to adjust the direction of your headlights by flipping a switch.

Do I need spare bulbs to drive in France?

Whilst this is a good idea it is not a legal requirement.

Do I need to carry a breathalyser in France?

Yes and No, this was for a short period a legal requirement but the law has changed. You are still required to carry them but you cannot be fined for not having them. Obviously it’s a useful thing to have in your car if you are in any doubt about the alcohol levels in your system. Single use items are readily available online – but if you have them for a while be sure to regularly check the expiry date. You are allowed a maximum of 0.5mg/ml of alcohol per litre in your blood, compared to 0.8mg/ml in the UK.

European Break Down Cover.

Check your current cover is valid for France. You can often upgrade or take another policy. There are many deals available depending on the level of cover required, shop around for the best deal.

Are Sat Navs illegal in France?

Using a Sat Nav in France is completely legal but check the speed camera notifications. French law dictates that motorists must not use sat navs which can actively warn of speed camera locations. Garmin has official statements on their website describing exactly the steps required to make your device legal in France. The Tom Tom radar service is not available in France. Google have confirmed that speed camera warnings will not be available to users in France.

Can I use dash cam in France?

Yes but, recorded evidence must only be sent directly to the police.

If you are planning on staying at our holiday homes in Le Touquet then please visit our Parking In Le Touquet page.

Visiting a Brocante or Flea Market

July 27, 2019 by Le Touquet Holidays

Visiting a Brocante or Flea Market can be the hi-light of any trip to Le Touquet and the Pas de Calais area. The street markets are great places to pick up a bargain or find that rare collectable. Visiting a brocante will give you a unique insight into French culture and can be an exciting way to spend a few hours.

There are around 15,000 Brocantes or “vide-greniers” (literally “emptying the attics”) that take place in communities across France.

In Le Touquet there is a regular Flea Market that takes place most Sundays in the covered market area of the town

Le Touquet Flea Market Dates 2019

Sunday, August 11
Sunday, September 8
Sunday, October 13
Sunday, November 10
Sunday, December 15

If you prefer a more general market then there is a weekly market in Le Touquet This offers all general goods plus some amazingly fresh fish and locally grown produce. General Market

There are also many more Brocante’s in the surrounding towns such as Merlimont, Stella Plage, Cucqu, Etaples and Berck. There is even a specialist flea market for the children in Berck on the 23^rd August 2019.
Place de l’Funnel
62600 Berck

Merlimont Brocante:

Beach Flee Market.
Sunday 18 August 2019, flea market on Beach avenue.

Cucq Brocante

15^th August – 35th Cucq Brocante.
Flea market of Cucq
Sports Avenue and Town Hall Square.

Stella-Plage Brocante

Flea market August 24^th. 14h-20h Boulevard Labrasse Stration

Etaples Brocante

Flea market at the gare or station. This is personal favorite of mine as it tends to have more variety and is generally less expensive than Le Touquet.
Etaples-sur-Mer
train station Place de la Gare
62630 Etaples

From July 26, 2019 to September 25, 2019

If you are planning on visiting a brocante or flea market then keep up to date with all the latest news on Antique Fairs, Brocantes and Street markets by visiting www.vide-greniers.org

What Shall we do in Le Touquet Today

June 5, 2019 by Le Touquet Holidays

Le Touquet Map

Its tricky keeping the family balance whilst you are on holiday. If you have exhausted all of your ideas of where to go and what to do, then why not take a look at our recommendations on our custom Le Touquet Map. There are lots of choices from theme parks, activity days and great restaurants. Go and explore the fascinating Nord Pas de Calais region of France.

http://bit.ly/2kattractions

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Le Touquet Holidays

Bagatelle Parc - Rang du Fliers

Always delivers, family fun

What is the Twin Town Challenge?

Accommodation

Donate

La Coupole Helfaut-Wizernes

V2 Rocket Launch Sites, A Hidden History of Pas-de-Calais.

La Coupole: a Megalith for V2s Rocket Launches.

Attractions

Le Blockaus at Eperlecques: hi-tech war in the forest

Practical details for your V2 launch sites visits.

Directions

Bagatelle Parc - Rang du Fliers

Always delivers, family fun

Kite Festival Berck sur mer

A Family Activity Day Out

Things to See

Berck sur Mer Kite Festival Accommodation

Bagatelle Parc - Rang du Fliers

Always delivers, family fun

Trail Des Deux Baies (Trail D2B)

Accommodation - Trail Des Deaux Baies

Driving In France

Driving In France - General Tips

What Does Rappel on a French road sign mean?

Drive on the right

Priority on the right

What driving equipment do I need in France?

What is the national speed limit in France?

Do I need a GB sticker to drive in France?

Do I need my v5 Registration Document to drive in France?

Do I need to change my headlights when driving in France?

Do I need spare bulbs to drive in France?

Do I need to carry a breathalyser in France?

European Break Down Cover.

Are Sat Navs illegal in France?

Can I use dash cam in France?

Le Touquet Flea Market Dates 2019

Merlimont Brocante:

Cucq Brocante

Stella-Plage Brocante

Etaples Brocante

Le Touquet Map

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