Le Touquet : book your hotel

Often called the "Paris by the Sea" or the "Pearl of the Opal Coast", Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is an elegant resort town situated at the mouth of the River Canche in northern France. Once a wilderness of dunes and forest, Le Touquet was transformed into a getaway destination for fashionable Brits at the turn of the 20th century. Among its most famous patrons were H.G. Wells (who eloped here with his lover), the playwright Noël Coward, and P.G. Wodehouse (who called Le Touquet home until his internment during the Second World War).

These days, visitors from across Europe and beyond continue to be drawn by Le Touquet's pleasant weather, gorgeous sandy beach and ideal conditions for an impressive array of sports ranging from sailing and sand yachting to teeing off at Le Touquet Golf Resort. The latter is home to three courses, including La Mer, the top-ranked links course in France. Le Touquet town is also famous for its eclectic, listed seaside villas, built by the glamorous set during the Roaring Twenties in an incredible variety of architectural styles. Whether you're planning a relaxing weekend in Le Touquet or a week of activity-filled family fun, the Accor portfolio includes accommodation options for every kind of visitor.

First and foremost among the best activities in Le Touquet is the spectacular main beach, a wide swathe of golden sand that seems to stretch forever from the town itself to Le Touquet Estuary Park. The park is a reminder of the wilderness that once reigned here, showcasing the dramatic pine forests and dunes of Le Touquet and acting as a sanctuary for migrating seabirds and, occasionally, basking seals. At the mouth of the Canche River lies one of the historic nautical bases of Le Touquet, now converted into a popular watersports centre for sailing, sea kayaking, motor-boating and more. If you're interested in exploring Le Touquet's architectural heritage, embark on a walking tour of its many listed historic monuments. An oddity built not on the coast but in the town centre, Le Touquet Lighthouse is a good place to start, with a 57-metre-tall tower that affords spectacular panoramic views of the resort and the English Channel beyond. Next up is the Le Touquet-Paris-Plage city hall, a fantasy structure with an imposing tower and belfry; followed by a host of private villas in a variety of designs spanning the spectrum from Anglo-Norman to art deco. Among the most famous are Villa Tata Ice, with its show-stealing pink, cubist-inspired façade; and the medieval-castle-style Swiss Village. Many of the most recognisable buildings are situated along the Rue Saint-Jean, arguably the prettiest street in all of Le Touquet and the ideal place to while away a few hours in one of the many boutique shops or sidewalk cafés. While you're there, check out Villa Monéjan, the holiday home of French president, Emmanuel Macron – or, walk off your lunchtime crêpe with a 20-minute stroll east to the fine art museum, Musée du Touquet-Paris-Plage.

Wondering where to eat in Le Touquet? Options range from lively streetside taverns to esteemed fine-dining establishments, with seafood and Flemish specialties such as carbonnade flamande (beef and beer stew) and potjevleesch (potted meat) featuring heavily on traditional menus. Some of the best dining experiences are to be had at the Marché Couvert, Le Touquet's historic covered market, where artisan stalls overflow with delicacies from across the Pas-de-Calais region. Orange-rinded Maroilles cheese, or oysters fresh from the English Channel – there's plenty to excite the seasoned foodie here. Le Touquet's bars specialise in the microbrews of northern France, including blonde beers and amber ales from the town's own La Touquettoise brewery. Enjoy a spot of gambling with your cocktails? Find late night entertainment at the Casino Barrière du Touquet, a Belle Epoque mansion with the largest selection of slot machines and table games on the Opal Coast.

Looking for the best places to stay in Le Touquet? Accor offers a choice of hotels on the beach for every kind of visit, from a romantic weekend in Le Touquet to business visits and solo getaways. For the ultimate family hotel, choose a Novotel property with a heated seawater swimming pool, family suites capable of sleeping up to five people, and direct access to the magnificent main beach of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. If you're wanting a more affordable seaside hotel, consider the 3-star ibis Le Touquet Thalassa. Here, you can experience Le Touquet thalassotherapy at the spa, soak up the sea air on your private balcony, or sample local cuisine on the restaurant's beachfront terrace. When you want to explore beyond the hotel, the town centre is a short walk away, while a secure covered lot makes this one of the best hotels in Le Touquet with parking.