Merlimont offers a range of reasons to spend your stay outdoors or enjoy leisure activities: trails through several types of dunes, a Natura 2000 wetland, forest and marsh habitats, and Parc Bagatelle. The natural attractions each have their own appeal; the amusement park adds a different kind of activity. To help plan your visit, first consider whether you want to focus on the dune landscape, animal and plant habitats, or attractions.
Dune trails and their different forms
The Sentier des Fauvettes lies in the dunes of Merlimont and starts on Rue du Touquet. The walking trail is 2.5 kilometres long, has a moderate difficulty level and takes about an hour. Its length, difficulty and approximate duration give you a concrete idea of what to expect on this trail. The dunes of Merlimont include embryonic dunes, white dunes with marram grass, grey dunes with moss and lichens, and dune thickets covered with shrubs. Those interested in the different dune and vegetation types will find a clear nature focus here.
The Sentier de la Dune Parabolique has its own restrictions: dogs, horses, bicycles, roller skates and motorcycles are prohibited. Check the municipality’s current notices before setting out. This allows you to take this trail’s conditions into account when planning, without assuming they apply to other trails in Merlimont.
Wetlands, forest and habitats
The Marais de Balançon offer a different focus from the dune trails. This Natura 2000 wetland consists of interwoven areas of water and land; birds, among other things, can be seen along the trails. The interaction between these areas is at the heart of the experience. In choosing where to go, this means shifting from dune vegetation to a habitat in which water and land together shape the landscape.
The Sentier de la Forêt runs alongside a protected natural area. The forests are home to characteristic fauna and flora. The marshes east of the trail provide habitats for birds, fish, amphibians and insects. This trail therefore offers another nature focus: in addition to the forest, the marsh habitats described here are part of the surrounding environment.
The ZNIEFF Dunes de Merlimont offers an additional perspective. It covers the municipality of Merlimont and consists of successive sand ridges separated by dune slacks. This description of the dune relief differs from the individual habitats along the trails: it draws attention to the ridges and hollows as connected landscape features.
Leisure activities with a different focus
Parc Bagatelle shifts the focus from nature trails to an amusement park. It is France’s oldest amusement park still in operation and offers more than 35 attractions. The park caters to young children, families and visitors who are especially keen on thrills; there is also a show and a mini-farm. These offerings appeal to different leisure interests within the park, while the dune and wetland trails focus on nature.
A nature-focused activity is the Amusette des Dunes on the Sentier du Cochevis. It offers a fun way to discover plant and animal species. The two leisure options thus differ in what they offer: Parc Bagatelle features attractions, a show and a mini-farm; on the Sentier du Cochevis, the focus is on discovering nature in a fun way.
A historical connection to Merlimont Plage
The town’s history also provides a point of interest: Merlimont Plage was founded in 1900 by a group of landowners. This dated origin adds a historical connection to Merlimont Plage itself alongside the landscape and leisure attractions. This makes it possible to consider nature trails, wetlands, leisure activities and local history as distinct themes for a stay in Merlimont.
Discover more destinations: Hernicourt, Longvilliers, Grenay, Hesdin, Marconne, Halinghen, Récourt, Guisy.
For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
