Ask anyone in Le Touquet about their famous beaches, and they will tell you that late fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh once said that the beaches there are better than the Bahamas. And while the temperature difference between the two might be stark, it’s clear from his work that Lindbergh really loved Le Touquet as a place to shoot stars including Kate Moss, Kate Winslet and Solange Knowles.
Known as ‘Paris by the sea’ it’s a two-hour drive from the capital city, and is a huge destination not just for Parisians but for people from all over the world. The small 4,000 population swells to a whopping 250,000 during the summer months, with people making the most of the vast sandy beaches, fine dining restaurants and streets full of shops.
Peter Lindbergh isn’t the only famous face to have been seen in Le Touquet – in the 1920s English playwright Noel Coward and his rich friends spent weekends there, building huge villas which you can still go and see today.
If you have a feeling that you’ve heard of Le Touquet before, it might be because French president Emmanuel Macron has a holiday home there with wife Brigitte. If it’s good enough for the Macron’s it’s good enough for us, here’s out ultimate travel guide to Le Touquet.
How To Get There
The easiest way to get to Le Touquet is via the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Calais Frethun Station, and then it’s an hour drive to Le Touquet. The train takes an hour, you don’t have to get to the station hours before to check in, you can take as many liquids and bags as you like and you’ll actually have some leg room on the way.
Where To Stay
The Westminster Hotel is one of the most well-known hotels in Le Touquet, it’s incredibly grand and right in the middle of all the shopping/eating/bike riding action. But there are also cheaper options such as the Hotel Novotel Thalassa which is on the beach, or the Holiday Inn which is more central.
What To Do
When you’re not on the beach or shopping on the Rue Saint-John, jungle-themed pool Aqualud is great for family fun, if you’re feeling adventurous there are activities on the beach such as sand surfing and the Musée du Touquet is worth a visit too if you want to learn more about the town’s fascinating history. If you’re a history buff then the Le Touquet lighthouse is a must-visit - the dizying climb to the top is totally worth it for the gorgeous view once you get there.
Where To Eat
Our number one recommendation would be Les 2 Moineaux – a cosy restaurant hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the seaside town, offering delicious food and wine at a reasonable price without all the pomp and ceremony. If you absolutely love fish, though, then Perard is the place for you – and as a bonus you get the watch the locals coming in to buy their produce for the week at the fishmonger next door.
Prices at Novotel Thalassa Le Touquet Hotelstart from €162/ £141* per night on a half board basis. For more information visit _www.letouquet.com_.
Eurostar offers fares from London St Pancras to Calais start from just £29 one-way with a journey time of 55 minutes. For more information or to book, visit www.eurostar.com__.
READ MORE: The Best Beach Clubs Around The World
The Best Beach Clubs Around The World - Grazia (stacked)
1 of 101. The Ocean Club, Marbella
With cloud-like white day beds just a hop, skip and a jump from the sea – it's no wonder that the Ocean Club is the venue de choix of the reality TV elite (make sure you pencil in their famous opening white party every April - just watch that red wine). R&R in between can be enjoyed at the perenially boho-elegant Kempinski Bahia, which was made to fulfil all of your poolside Instagram dreams. And because no trip to Marbella would be complete without the dreamiest of sunset-dining scenarios, make your way to the nearby La Plage Casanis for a glass of their famous rosé by the shoreline. A celebrity hotspot where you can also chill like GOOP? Just tell us where to sign up.... (tickets for Ocean Club Parties from €220, rooms at Kempinski Bahia from €371 per night)
2 of 102. El Chiringuito, Marbella
For a different side to Marbella: If juicing, self-care and a backdrop of natural textures match your holiday vibes - look no further than El Chiringuito. For the self-care connaisseurs (let's face it, it's 2019 and it's a thing) this is the place to go to avoid a thumping hangover the next day, along with relaxed seaview dining. (Open Wednesday-Sunday from the 16th of September. Accommodation available from €496 a night at Puente Romano)
3 of 103. Basil's Bar, Mustique
Moving from Marbella to Mustique (the favoured holiday spot of Kate Middleton and Prince William, nonetheless): the king of local beach clubs is Basil's Bar. Not only was it recently completely renovated by Phillipe Starck - but it boasts Gordon Ramsey protégé Luke Ferguson in the Kitchen, and Sunset Jazz from July to August. Not to mention views of the Caribbean sea to die while sipping a cocktail (and a Thursday Happy Hour - we're sold). For a true off-duty Sienna Miller vibe, check into the gorgeously boho Katamah Beach Front Guesthouse (rooms starting at £57 a night).
4 of 104. Chambao, Ibiza
As the saying goes: if it was dreamed up by Nobu, it's worth the £££. Ok, maybe it doesn't quite go like that. But there's no denying that the uber-trendy chain of hotels know what they're doing when it comes to creating an unforgettable (not to mention celebrity-laced) experience. Chambao, Nobu Hotel's Ibiza Beach Club earns all of it's five stars from the mouthwatering seafood menu to it's breathtaking views of the Cala Talamanca shoreline. Fedoras and crochet maxi dresses at the ready... (Accommodation from €395 a night for a suite at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay)
5 of 105. Tresanton, Cornwall
Fancy a staycation? We don't blame you. If you're looking for something a bit closer to home (and to do your bit for the environment by not racking up the air miles), look no further then Tresanton in Cornwall. Tavern beach can be walked down to from the hotel's very own beach club, while the view of St Anthony's lighthouse is a perfect (and quintessentially British) view to enjoy with the hotel's signature seafood cuisine. (Rooms available at Tresanton, Cornwall from £297 a night)
6 of 106. Tulum, Noordjvik
If something is being done elsewhere in the world, you can bet that in the Netherlands they're doing it 10x cooler. the Tulum Tulum beach club in Noordwijk, South Holland takes European beach-club chic to a whole new level with rustic materials, billowing white parasols and a tasteful scandi-chic drinks menu. While It might be a ready-made playground for your inner instagrammer, we bet you'll be enjoying yourself so much you won't look at your phone even once. (Rooms at the nearby Steenhof Suites start at €149 per night)
7 of 107. Mistura, Mexico
Prettier than a painting: Mistura's riot of red, blue and white under a rustic palapas canopy manages to capture the raw beauty of it's surrounding coastline, tying it to the epitomy of luxury. The on-site beach club of the (equally chic) hotel Esencia, it's the perfect starting point to explore the local Xpu-Ha beach and Playa dell Carmen (after a shrimp brocheta from the open fire grill of course). (Rooms at Hotel Esenciastart from $775 a night)
8 of 108. Amante, Ibiza
One for the yoga fanatics: Amante's unique offering is the chance to do your downward dogs to the hues of the rising sun over the Sol Den Serra beach. Does that sound up your street? There's more: Amante is a favourite hangout of the A-listers, and with a mouth-watering menu and jawdropping sunsets - it's easy to see why they keep coming back. If you love it as much as it's chic clientele: you can even hold you're wedding there. (Beach beds available for reservation from €30 for the day)
9 of 109. 10 Punto 7, Formentera
Just scanning through Instagram pictures of 10 Punto 7 in Formentera is enough to put you in a more relaxed mood (don't believe me? give it a go now). The laidback luxury of the venue overlooking Playa Migjorn - think whitewash, wicker and gently distressed elegance - gives the feeling of simplicity without skimping on style. Plus we hear they make a mean Campari... what more could you need? (Rooms at the nearby Hotel Casbah from £288 per night)
10 of 1010. Nammos, Mykonos
If it's good enough for Leonardo Di Caprio, it's good enough for us. Mykonos is the spiritual home of the beach club, and Nammos is among the best of them, especially in the stakes of off-duty celebrity luxury (for a cool £3,700 you can even get a cabana with your own butler. Better start saving?). With a perfect picture around every corner, this isn't one you'll want to miss if you're dedicated to the holiday 'gram.