Between the beaches, the cliffs, the birds and the seals, the area around Ault is a wonderful playground for families. Here children discover the natural world while having fun, well away from queues and crowds. Here are our ideas for every age, with the Hôtel Aultia as your base camp.
The beach and gathering shellfish
Three hundred metres from the hotel, the shingle beach at Onival is perfect for an afternoon with the family. At low tide it is time to go looking for shellfish: at the foot of the cliffs you can hunt for mussels and for the small treasures hidden among the rocks. It costs nothing and needs no equipment — just keep an eye on the tide times and on the youngest members of the party.
Meeting the seals
Watching the seals of the Baie de Somme is something children never forget. Head for the Pointe du Hourdel at low tide to spot them lying out on the sandbanks. Turn it into a small expedition: pick out the shapes, take turns with the binoculars and, above all, talk about why you stay so far back. It is a good chance to talk about respecting wildlife. All our advice is in our article on seal watching.
The steam railway
The Baie de Somme steam railway is impossible to resist. Belle Époque carriages hauled by a steam locomotive take you across marshes and salt meadows between Saint-Valery, Le Crotoy and Cayeux. The whistle of the engine and the passing scenery delight children and grown-ups alike. It is a gentle outing and a real change of pace, easy even with very young children.
The birds of the Marquenterre
North of the bay, the Parc du Marquenterre is a bird reserve where waymarked trails and hides let you watch thousands of migrating birds. Storks, avocets, spoonbills: with binoculars, available to hire on site, children turn into proper little explorers. Naturalist guides are on hand along the route to help spot and identify the species.
For a thrill: sand yachting, the funicular and pony rides
For older children, it is time for action. On the beach at Onival, sand yachting delivers a genuine rush of speed under the eye of qualified instructors. At Le Tréport, the free funicular climbs from the harbour to the clifftop in a minute: great fun, with a fine view, and always a hit with children. And for a ride in the fresh air, the riding centre at Mers-les-Bains offers lessons and rides with lovely views over the coast.
A rainy day?
The weather changes quickly by the sea, but there is no shortage of ideas. At Blangy-sur-Bresle, the glass museum brings the skills of the master glassmakers back to life, with glass-blowing demonstrations that children find spellbinding. The funicular at Le Tréport and a stroll along the boardwalk at Cayeux-sur-Mer, lined with its colourful beach huts, are also good options between showers.
An ideal base camp
Central and close to everything, Ault is perfect for family days out: the beach three hundred metres away, the seals fifteen minutes away, the Marquenterre and the villages of the bay an easy drive. To plan your days, have a look at our Things to see & do page, which brings together the finest sites in the region.
Further reading
Families welcome. Three hundred metres from the beach, an hour and a half from Calais and two hours from Paris, the Hôtel Aultia offers a warm welcome and an ideal base for exploring the Baie de Somme with your children. Discover our rooms and start planning your family holiday.
