Saint-Omer and the Opal Coast – NEW TOUR

Depart the UK

Travel to Dover and take the ferry across to either Calais or Dunkirk.  Upon disembarkation, continue to Saint-Omer for the next 4 nights.

Saint-Omer, Cheese Tasting, Brewery Visit and Gardens

Stroll through the charming town centre of Saint-Omer where cobblestone streets lead to stunning landmarks such as the magnificent Cathedral and the 13^th century public library, one of Europe’s oldest.  (Market day is Saturday).

Discover the secrets of some delicious Flemish cheeses on a tour of the Eecke Cheese Factory which includes a cheese tasting followed by a visit to the nearby 3 Monts Brewery, home to one of the region’s most famous beers.  On a guided tour, explore the fascinating history and secrets behind their beers ending with a tasting session.   Before heading back to Saint-Omer a stop will be made at the gardens of the Mont des Recollets, set around a 17^th century Flemish farm and considered one of the most beautiful in northern France.

Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo including lunch

The Dunkirk 1940 Museum located in Bastion 32, was the headquarters for the French and Allied forces during the Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo.  Through a rich collection of weapons, uniforms, photos and maps the museum tells the story of the largest evacuation effort in military history.  After the visit take lunch on the Princess Elizabeth, a little ship that was used to evacuate 1673 soldiers in 1940 and which is now a restaurant.

Accompanied by an experienced guide make a tour of the key historical places around Operation Dynamo such as the evacuation beaches where you may see the ship wrecks at low tide, The East Mole and bunker and the British Memorial and Cemetery commemorating the memory of 4,528 soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force who died in 1940 and have no known grave.

Opal Coast, Le Touquet and Boulogne-sur-Mer

Accompanied by a local experienced guide drive to Le Touquet a beloved destination for British visitors and famous people such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Noel Coward and Winston Churchill amongst others.  The tour of Le Touquet will include plenty of hop-on/hop-off stops including a guided tour of the beautifully preserved Town Hall finishing with a tasting of local delicacies in the majestic Salle d’Honneur.

Drive north along the Opal Coast to the resort of Boulogne-sur-Mer, France’s largest fishing harbour, passing stunning scenery, superb sandy beaches, dunes, cliffs, unspoilt coastlines, charming villages and seaside resorts. There will be time to get some lunch, maybe in one of the many fish restaurants before visiting the underground passages beneath the Notre-Dame basilica with the biggest crypt in France.

There will be some free time to explore the town further, maybe wander along the charming Ville Fortifee with its stone houses, cobbled streets and its world heritage listed town hall belfry or around the circular promenade of the 13^th century ramparts which offer views over the town and the port.

Return to the UK

Drive to Calais or Dunkirk and take the ferry across to Dover, and home.

La Coupole d’Helfaut, Saint-Omer

Built by the Nazi’s during WW2 to be a V2 rocket launch site but was never used.

Audomarois Marshes, Saint-Omer

A cruise through serene waterways cultivated since the middle ages – a unique wetland eco-system teeming with diverse flora and fauna.

Calais

Often underrated town, but the beautiful Lace Museum is well worth a visit.