Nine hiking trails, the listed Église Sainte-Ide and an annual cultural programme give Saint-Martin-Boulogne several specific reasons to stay. Tours through Saint-Martin-Boulogne and neighbouring municipalities bring together architectural history, events and leisure activities. For your planning, it is worth choosing your focus first: a hike with a set time frame, a cultural programme or a date in December.
Hiking trails with different time commitments
Nine hiking trails start at the Decathlon store and run through Saint-Martin-Boulogne and neighbouring municipalities; their distances range from 3.6 to 15.6 kilometres. Two routes have different time and difficulty profiles: the Parcours du Moulin l’Abbé is 10.2 kilometres long, takes about 2 hours 35 minutes and is rated moderate. The Val Saint-Martin covers 8.8 kilometres, takes about 2 hours 10 minutes and is rated easy. This makes the Val Saint-Martin the shorter of the two routes; its approximate duration is also shorter. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.
The Val Saint-Martin also offers points of interest along the way. It passes through the former arboretum of Boulogne-sur-Mer, with its diverse wildlife and plant life, reaches the Plateau de la Waroquerie, which offers views over the Boulonnais, and runs through the Ravin de Pitendal, maintained by Eden 62. When choosing this route, you can therefore take into account not only its length but also its landscape.
Architectural history and cultural programme
The Église Sainte-Ide is located in the hamlet of Ostrohove on rue du Mont-d’Ostrohove. It was fully listed as a historic monument on 10 July 2015. Reinforced concrete, stone from Baincthun and flat tiles were used in its construction; its features include stained-glass windows and a fresco in the choir. The first stone was laid on 28 May 1936, and the church was inaugurated on 19 September 1937. The building was designed by Boulogne architect Pierre Drobecq and is associated with the “La Nef” movement.
The town’s earlier history also provides a historical frame of reference: between 1550 and 1789, the village of Saint-Martin developed around a new church on Dringhen hill. An earlier church stood on the same site as the present one, but was oriented differently. The Centre Georges-Brassens adds to the cultural offering with an annual cross-disciplinary programme for a broad audience. It includes more than 20 performances spanning music, comedy, puppet theatre and theatre.
The Hélicéa complex in Parc Mont-Joie offers swimming, ice skating, a spa, a jacuzzi and a cardio area. Alongside hiking and culture, there are also sports and wellness activities. The municipality also holds a traditional Christmas market every year on a weekend in December in the André-Condette sports hall, ahead of the festive season. Saint-Martin-Boulogne is connected by the RN42 national road and the A16 motorway.
If the market determines your travel dates, check the specific December weekend before your trip; you can then plan your stay accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Beaurainville, Ferques, Pernes-lès-Boulogne, Maninghem, Montreuil-Sur-Mer, Wimereux, Stella-Plage, Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem
For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
