Ecolieu B & Bubble

Heading up to the coast may well mean you’re heading for a day on the beach at Malo-les-Bains (half an hour’s drive), strolling on the soft sand, trying out various watersports or simply admiring the pretty Belle Époque villas along the seafront. Some time here is easily combined with a detour to Dunkirk (25 minutes), which has a maritime museum, an aquarium and the LAAC contemporary art museum as well as several places where you can learn more about the role the town played in World War II. Turning inland, there are several attractive villages nearby where you can see traditional Flemish architecture and other historic sights – for starters, Esquelbecq (15 minutes) has a castle and a war memorial, and Bergues (20 minutes) has a bell tower where it’s worth climbing the 206 steps for fabulous views over the surrounding area. Back at ground level, there are scenic boat trips from Saint-Omer (25 minutes) and the area’s activity providers can sort either Segway rides or tours in a classic 2CV.