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Étaples
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ℹ️Practical info — Étaples
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit Maréis, the sea fishing discovery centre, to learn about the town's maritime heritage; it's very hands-on.
- The Étaples Military Cemetery is a solemn and historically significant site located just outside the town, designed by Lutyens.
- Check the tide times before planning a walk along the Canche estuary, as the landscape changes drastically.
- Market day is Tuesday and Friday; arrive early for the best selection of fresh seafood caught locally.
- Parking near the port can be difficult in summer; look for spots further into town and walk down.
🍽 Food
🍽
Fresh Coquilles Saint-Jacques
Scallops are a local specialty. Order them at any seafood restaurant along the port during the season (October to May).
🍽
Soupe de Poissons
Traditional fish soup served with rouille and croutons; look for brasseries near the marina.
🍽
Hareng Saur
Smoked herring is a regional classic; you can buy it fresh at the market or try it as a starter in local bistros.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Étaples Market
Rated as one of the best markets in France, it's well-suited for buying regional cheeses, fresh fish, and local crafts.
🛍
Conserveries
Look for local fish canneries selling artisanal fish rillettes, soups, and pickled sea beans (salicorne).
🧘
Baie de Canche Nature Reserve
Walk along the dunes and paths overlooking the bay for excellent birdwatching and sweeping coastal views.
🧘
Sentier de la Corniche
A quiet coastal path offering beautiful panoramas over the estuary, first-rate at sunset.
Water temperature…
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Perched on the right bank of the Canche estuary in the Pas-de-Calais department, Étaples-sur-Mer is a historically significant fishing port with a deep maritime heritage. The daily catch is still sold directly to the public at the covered fish market along the harbor, offering an authentic local experience and the freshest seafood. To fully understand the town's seafaring culture, visitors can explore Maréis, a sea fishing discovery center housed in a former trawler factory, which features aquariums and interactive exhibits detailing the lives of modern fishermen. During World War I, Étaples was the site of the largest Allied military camp in France, a history soberly reflected in the massive Étaples Military Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission site in the country, containing nearly 11,000 graves. The surrounding landscape features protected natural environments, including the Baie de Canche nature reserve, where hiking trails wind through dunes, pine forests, and salt marshes, providing excellent opportunities for birdwatching and spotting harbor seals at low tide.
- Location: Hauts-de-France, France
- Top sights: Maréis · Étaples Military Cemetery · Marine Museum
- Nearby: Merlimont (7 km)
- Population: ~11.196
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
| Rain mm | 83 | 66 | 56 | 41 | 53 | 49 | 57 | 68 | 53 | 85 | 96 | 95 |
Geography
Facts
- The British military cemetery contains 11,487 individual graves.
- Maréis is located in a repurposed industrial fish-sorting hall.
- The famous Herring Festival is celebrated every November.
- The municipality covers a total area of 12.95 km².
- Situated just 6 kilometers from the resort town of Le Touquet.
- The highest point in the town reaches an elevation of 78 meters.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Étaples (5)
Frequently asked questions
What is the port of Étaples famous for?
It is a traditional fishing port with a daily fresh fish market on the quays.
What is 'Maréis' in Étaples?
An interactive museum dedicated to modern sea fishing and the life of sailors.
Are there historical memorial sites there?
Yes, the Étaples Military Cemetery is the largest British WWI military cemetery in France.
How close is Étaples to Le Touquet?
The two towns are located directly opposite each other at the Canche estuary, just a short bridge crossing away.
When does the herring festival take place?
The 'Fête du Hareng' is celebrated every year in November, with grilled fish and local traditions.
Étaples: where is it located?
Étaples is located in Hauts-de-France, France.
Étaples: what is there to see?
Highlights include Maréis, Étaples Military Cemetery, Marine Museum.
Étaples: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Étaples: why is it worth visiting?
Perched on the right bank of the Canche estuary in the Pas-de-Calais department, Étaples-sur-Mer is a historically significant fishing port with a deep maritime heritage.
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