There is something suspended in time about the Baie de Somme that lends itself to a break for two: windswept cliffs, villages that seem untouched by the years, sunsets that stop you in your tracks. Far from the bustle, this is a place to slow down, reconnect and simply let the days carry you along. Here is how to put together an unforgettable romantic weekend, with the Hôtel Aultia as your starting point.
A Belle Époque hideaway facing the cliffs
It all begins with where you unpack your bags. In Ault, three hundred metres from the beach, the Hôtel Aultia keeps a Belle Époque atmosphere that invites you to daydream. Its suites, each with a whirlpool bath, offer the two of you a moment of wellbeing from the minute you arrive. Fine furniture, carefully composed interiors and the quiet all around make for a romantic interlude a few steps from the sea. It is the ideal retreat after a day exploring the coast.
Sunset over the cliffs
Some moments are meant to be shared by two. Every evening, the sea wall and the clifftop road at Ault put on one of the finest displays in the region: the sun sinking behind the sea and setting the white chalk of the cliffs ablaze. Take your time over it, in the golden hour, when the light shifts from one minute to the next. Photographers and lovers of the open air are equally well served.
The Bois de Cise, a romantic retreat
A few minutes south of Ault, the Bois de Cise is one of the most intimate places on this coast. This wooded valleuse, tucked into a fold in the cliffs, shelters handsome Anglo-Norman villas from the Belle Époque, hidden away beneath the beeches. You can wander hand in hand along lanes with poetic names, down to a sheltered little beach that appears at low tide. It is an almost secret setting, made for time alone together. There is more about it in our article on the Bois de Cise.
A day out in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
For a romantic day out, head for Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, the medieval jewel of the bay. Wander the cobbled lanes of the upper town, follow the ramparts and the flower-lined quays, then treat yourselves to something good to eat by the water. It is also the departure point for the Baie de Somme steam railway, whose Belle Époque carriages carry the spirit of another age. In season, some services even offer dinner on board at sunset.
Flavours to share
A romantic weekend is also a matter of good food. The region makes the most of what the sea and the land provide: mussels, fish and shellfish, salt-marsh lamb, samphire. In the bistros of Ault and in the neighbouring harbours of Le Tréport and Saint-Valery, these are dishes to enjoy facing the sea, for a dinner for two with real character.
When to go, and for how long
Two or three nights are enough to fall under the spell of the place. Spring and summer bring long evenings and spectacular sunsets, while autumn and winter, quieter still, have a charm all of their own: near-deserted cliffs, intense light and somewhere warm to come back to. Do have a look at our Location & getting here page as you plan your trip.
Further reading
Book your time together. Three hundred metres from the beach, an hour and a half from Calais and two hours from Paris, the Hôtel Aultia welcomes you to a Belle Époque setting, with suites that each have a whirlpool bath. Discover our rooms and suites and start planning your romantic weekend on the Baie de Somme.
