Is it the indescribable spectacle of the light that bathes the Baie de Somme with a myriad of shades so perfectly captured by the painter Alfred Manessier ?

Is it the endearing atmosphere of this onshore island, this fishing village; is it the excitement of the bay or is it the people that keep you here without you really knowing why?

To discover
The Baie de Somme *****
Classed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, it has been the inspiration of painters and writers. It is an exceptional natural environment, to be discovered according to your moods, on foot, on horseback, by sea kayak, but always with friends. You will never forget its special light and magical blend of clouds, sea, sand and salt meadows, where seals live alongside birds and sheep.

The port **
As testimony to its once flourishing fishing industry, the port has preserved a number of its coastal trawlers.

Saint Peter's church
Saint Peter's church, rebuilt in 1865, houses an oak altarpiece from the XVth century, dedicated to St Honoré, a fresco representing Le Crotoy in the XVth century and several commemorative pieces (models of fishing boats). From the bell tower you can enjoy an outstanding view over the bay (when the attendant is on duty).

The monument to the Caudron brothers

The Baie de Somme railway ****
A local steam or diesel train from the beginning of the century dawdles around the Baie de Somme at the proud speed of 20 km/h, across fields and marshes, mollières and salt marshes. Thanks to the efforts of a few enthusiasts, this small train runs along a section of the former "Seaside spa" network between le Crotoy, Noyelles-sur-Mer, Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Cayeux-sur Mer. All aboard!

Walks in the surrounding area
Le Marquenterre Bird park ****
With its 250 ha of dunes, forests and marshes, le Marquenterre Bird Park has preserved all the wealth and fragility of the flora and fauna of the Picardy coastline. Here Man and Nature meet...

Arriving from all over Europe, migratory birds make a stop here, some for a short time, others for a season... Sandpipers from Siberia, barnacle geese from the Arctic Circle, spoonbills on their way back from Africa...

The educational route gives an introduction to the most familiar species. Educational signposts help you recognise animals in the park but it is the observation routes, which are the jewel in its crown.

Nolette Chinese cemetery at Noyelles-sur-Mer *
During the first world war, Chinese workers helped the British army behind the front line. Many died of disease, and the Nolette cemetery, with its unusual atmosphere, contains 887 graves with Chinese inscriptions.

Nearby
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
Quend-Plage-les-Pins
Rue

A bit of history
Le Crotoy was born around the same time as the sand bank on which it was established.

As soon as the silt deposits had consolidated, fishermen started working there.

As a fortified town in the Middle Ages, it was an active commercial port trading with Abbeville, Amiens and Corbie.

The Hundred Years War, which saw the village come in turn under the rule of Burgundy, England and finally France, put an end to this prosperity.

Joan of Arc was imprisoned here for a few days by the English in 1430, before crossing the bay to arrive in Rouen via Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. The castle where she was imprisoned was destroyed in 1674, on the orders of Louis XIV.

There remain a few outstanding testimonies to this past:
• remains of the mediaeval wall, notably two large towers facing the Bay.
• Saint Peter's church rebuilt in 1865 and containing a representation of the old fortified town as well as a beautiful wooden altarpiece from the XVth century.
• and, most notably, the tradition of sea fishing.

The perfumer Guerlain (supplier to the Empress Eugenia, Toulouse Lautrec, Colette, Anatole France) and, most famously Jules Verne, both stayed at le Crotoy.

The author of extraordinary voyages, adopted son of Amiens, stayed for five whole years in a house at number 9 in the street that today bears his name, and anchored his boat the "Saint Michel" in the port. It was at le Crotoy that he wrote "20000 Leagues Under the Sea".

Also at this time, Anglo-Norman style villas were built, which, side-by-side with the fishermen's houses, make the town a perfect place for wandering around.

More recently, when "Mado" opened her restaurant on the quai Léonard in le Crotoy in the 50s, she brought with her an international clientele, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. She continued to preside over the restaurant with its highly individual decor for the next 40 years.

Le Crotoy today Today, le Crotoy is both a family and a "hip" resort, which continues to seduce the creatively-minded. It is an ideal place to experience the Baie de Somme, or to use as a base for exploring the Picardy coast.

Even with the decline in the activity of the fishing port, the weekend fish market, restaurants and fishmongers' in the port create such a special atmosphere, giving le Crotoy its charm, in the magical setting of the Bay of the Somme, whose subtle and changing light inspired the life's work of the painter Alfred Manessier.

It is probably for this reason that the resort, which prides itself on being "the only South-facing beach in the North", has always been a very highly-prized holiday resort.

Road itineraries
Take off into the Baie de Somme
Itinerary : Le Crotoy, Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, Rue, Favières, Noyelles-sur-Mer
Detailed itinerary available on request from the Somme Tourist Board.

Activities
Bathing
In the Baie de Somme, locally: le Crotoy beach

Sorties pédestres accompagnées
Découverte de la Côte Picarde

Guided walks
Discovering the Picardy Coast
The Saint-Quentin-en-Tournon trail

Walks
Nature walks on the Picardy coast:
• Le Marquenterre dune expanse: the trail down to the sea
• The mollières: the Shepherds' trail
• The Baie de Somme: nature reserve trail
• The inland marsh at le Crotoy

The D. Richard guide "52 family walks around Amiens and in the Somme" suggests a 2 hr circular walk starting from the lighthouse.

"Nature walks in the Baie de Somme" (with fauna observation guide) published by Dakota

Cycling
Accompanied rides.

Hors riding
• Le Crotoy horse riding center
• Morlay Ponthoile : Ferme Relais de la Baie de Somme
• Saint Quentin en Tourmont : Henson Horse riding centre at le Marquenterre

Sailing
ANCR Watersports Club at le Crotoy

Canoeing and sea kayaking
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme : Quesnoy Leisure Association – Baie des Phoques

Golf
• Fort-Mahon et Quend-Plage : Belle Dune Golf club
• Grand Laviers : Abbeville Golf club

Practical info
Markets
Rue du capitaine Guy Dath
Weekends, fish market on the quays.
Friday morning market. Food and manufactured goods.
Tuesday morning market in season only: from 15 June to 15 September.

Tourist office
1 rue Carnot – 80550 Le Crotoy
Tél : +33 (0)3 22 27 05 25 – Fax : +33 (0)3 22 27 90 58
E-mail : contact@tourisme-crotoy.com
Website : www.tourisme-crotoy.com

Population: 2439 (figures from INSEE [French national institute for economic and statistical information]– 1999 census)