The Effortless Family Summer: A Self Driving Itinerary to the Opal Coast in France
There is a common misconception that to experience the magic of a continental summer holiday with the kids, you need to endure the chaotic queues of an airport terminal or face a gruelling, multi-day drive down to the South of France.
But just a 45-minute drive from the Eurotunnel and ferry ports at Calais lies one of France’s best-kept secrets: the Côte d’Opale (The Opal Coast).
Characterised by sweeping chalk cliffs, vast sandy beaches, and elegant coastal towns, this stunning stretch of coastline offers a completely hassle-free, premium family escape. If you want to pack up the car with the kids, cross the Channel, and be jumping into a heated pool or cycling through pine forests in under an hour from arrival, this curated multi-day family itinerary is for you.
The Perfect Family Base: Evancy Trésors d’Opale (Camiers Sainte-Cécile)
When travelling with family, luxury means space. Cramming kids into a standard hotel room is never relaxing, which is why we recommend basing your stay at Evancy Trésors d’Opale.
Located in Camiers Sainte-Cécile—just a 20 minutes outside of Le Touquet—this premium 4-star residence offers beautifully designed, fully equipped premium apartments and studios that can comfortably sleep up to six to eight guests.
The Family Appeal: Nestled between a quiet beach, dunes, and forest, it gives you all the freedom of a private home with 4-star hotel services. The kids will love the outdoor heated swimming pool, volleyball court, and dedicated play area, while parents can relax on their private balcony overlooking the dunes. It’s also pet-friendly, meaning the entire family can come along.
The Location: It serves as the ultimate jumping-off point to explore everything the coast has to offer, keeping your daily driving down to a minimum.
1. Le Touquet-Paris-Plage
Affectionately known as "Paris-by-the-Sea," Le Touquet has been the coastal playground for chic travellers since the 1920s. For families, it is a dream. The town beautifully blends coastal glamour with an affluent, woodland setting. Think grand Anglo-Norman villas hidden among towering pine forests and a vast, wild sandy beach that stretches for miles.
The Experience: Hire a family rosalie (a multi-person pedal quadricycle) to cruise through the quiet forest avenues, or spend the afternoon at the beach. Le Touquet’s wide sands are famous for sand-yachting, horse riding, and beach clubs that keep children entertained for hours while you relax with a coffee.
2. Wimereux (The Belle Époque Beach Town)
For a taste of authentic French seaside charm, take a short drive up to Wimereux. This is the oldest resort on the Opal Coast, famous for its beautifully preserved, brightly painted late-19th-century Belle Époque villas lining the promenade.
The Experience: This town is all about old-school seaside fun done elegantly. The rock pools are fantastic for kids crabbing at low tide, the sea wall promenade is perfect for an afternoon ice-cream stroll, and the gentle waves are excellent for a family dip.
3. Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer (An Underwater Wonderland)
Even on a summer holiday, a rainy morning can happen. When it does, the Opal Coast holds a massive trump card: Nausicaá, located in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
This isn't just a standard aquarium—it is the largest aquarium in Europe. Home to over 58,000 creatures, Nausicaá features a jaw-dropping high-seas tank containing 10,000 cubic meters of water, complete with a massive 18-meter viewing window and an underwater tunnel.
The Experience: Watch the majestic manta rays and sharks glide right above your head. It’s an immersive, educational, and genuinely awe-inspiring experience that both toddlers and teenagers will remember for years.
4. The Scenic Finale: Cap Blanc-Nez & Cap Gris-Nez
On your way back toward the Eurotunnel at the end of your trip, bypass the main motorway and take the D940 coastal road to experience the dramatic, raw beauty of the Two Capes (Les Deux Caps).
Cap Blanc-Nez (White Nose Cape) and Cap Gris-Nez (Grey Nose Cape) are spectacular headlands designated as a Grand Site de France. Cap Blanc-Nez features sheer, towering white chalk cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea. On a clear day, the views across the Strait of Dover are so crisp you can clearly see the white cliffs of the UK coastline glittering across the water.
The Experience: Park the car and take a bracing coastal walk along the cliff-top paths. It is the ultimate breath of fresh, sea-salty air to tire out the kids right before you roll back into the car home.
Let Us Plan Your Stress-Free School Holiday Escape
The secret to a truly premium family holiday is removing the friction.
At Plan My Trip, Itake the guesswork out of your cross-channel adventure by putting together the ultimate, tailored itinerary. From pinpointing family-sized premium suites like Evancy Trésors d’Opale to mapping out the perfect daily driving routes, beach stops, and hidden local gems, we design the framework for an effortless French escape built entirely around your family's pace.
Explore our School Holiday & Family Itinerary Packages today and let’s map out your next great family adventure.
