The Baie d’Authie offers walks through exceptionally well-preserved natural surroundings. Walks across the foreshore can lead to the sea and the beach; regulated and supervised cockle fishing also takes place on the foreshore. Other options include the landscapes of the Massif Dunaire, a tour of the seaside resort’s façades, and a range of guided or sporting activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Fort-Mahon-Plage, these different highlights can help you begin to choose the kind of stay you want.
Natural areas and walking trails
The Authie flows north of Fort-Mahon-Plage. The Baie d’Authie is an extensive coastal marshland that is covered by the sea during spring tides. The area offers a variety of natural landscapes for walks: the Chemin des pêcheurs leads through the Massif Dunaire, an exceptional natural habitat. Walks across the foreshore can lead to the sea and the beach. This gives you a choice between dune scenery and beach walks without combining them into a single route.
Routes to suit the time you have
If you want to choose walks based on their duration, two options are easy to compare. The Sentier Découverte de la Dune de l’Authie is 2.7 kilometres long and takes about 45 minutes. Along the way, information panels introduce the local flora and fauna. The Chemin de la Digue, by contrast, follows the course of the Authie; walks there are listed as taking about 1.5 to 3 hours.
The “Balades guidées” programme runs throughout the year and focuses on the flora and fauna of Picardy. The Baie d’Authie is explored on foot or on the backs of donkeys. This offers a chance to experience the bay’s natural environment on a walk or as part of a guided activity.
Culture, golf and water activities
The family walking tour “Les Façades cachées” takes visitors to the emblematic façades of Fort-Mahon-Plage and offers insights into the heritage of the seaside resort. It provides a different focus from the nature trails, highlighting the façades and the history of the town.
Golf de Belle Dune has an 18-hole course covering about 30 hectares. Facilities also include a clubhouse with a golf shop and a restaurant overlooking the green. Those interested in golf can find information here both about the course and its associated facilities.
Aquaclub de Belle Dune is located on Promenade du Marquenterre in Fort-Mahon-Plage. It has a wave pool, slides, whirlpools, outdoor areas and a children’s play area. There is also an indoor area heated to 29°C. These activities are quite different from the walks and nature experiences, offering another focus to consider when planning a stay.
Land sailing, horse riding and carriage rides
Eolia Picardie offers an introductory land-sailing session of about one hour, followed by a ride lasting one to two hours. Availability may depend on the weather and on booking; check in advance. Espace Equestre L’Etrier offers rides on Henson horses in the Baie d’Authie. The facilities include an indoor riding arena and outdoor arenas.
Another option is the one- to three-hour carriage rides offered by Calèche le Frison d’Alex. The rides go to old Fort-Mahon, through the countryside and along the shores of the Baie d’Authie. With different durations to choose from, you can consider whether a shorter outing or a longer ride is a better fit for your planned stay.
Discover more destinations: Valines, Vron, Breuil, Estrébœuf, Hem-Hardinval, Villers-Bretonneux, Jumel, Feuquières-En-Vimeu.
For the broader travel guide: Somme.
