Hardelot

Places to visit | Local area map | KCC residential centre | *
* nearest station: Neufchatel, 2km

Hardelot

A few Edwardian seaside villas survived wartime damage.
An Edwardian seaside resort in France
Hardelot's wide sandy beaches are fringed with sand dunes and pine forests.

The resort was started in 1900 by Sir John Whitney, an Englishman who owned the local château and saw the opportunity to create magnificent outdoor sporting and leisure facilities. Edwardian families spent their summer holidays in spacious villas in the forests. The château became a clubhouse for golfers; they enjoyed sailing, tennis and cricket [see seaside holidays]. Later King George V spent two holidays there.

Louis Blériot
French families also bought property at the new resort. One was Louis Blériot, who pioneered sand-yachting on the wide flat beaches, as well as practising flying. [Blériot was first to fly an airplane across the Channel in 1909.]

Hardelot's pgolf course set amongst the pine forests

Second World War
The Germans destroyed most of Hardelot to built coastal defences against the Allied invasion, which they expected here rather than in Normandy. [see Operation Fortitude South for the story of Allied wartime deception].

New developments
After decades of inactivity, new owners took over Hardelot in the 'sixties, and started building new houses and facilities. Today Hardelot again has first class golf courses, a sailing club, and everything from horse-riding, wndsurfing to sand-yachting....

It is recognised as a "KID Station" - a "child-friendly" resort.

Horse riding facilities for all ages at Hardelot. The wide flat beaches made it the first international centre for sand-yachting.

Hardelot's annual International Sand-sculpting competition is held in July - Sailboarding near the beach in sight of dunes and pine-forests.

Kent County Council residential centre
Kent County has a residential centre, the Centre d'Hardelot, based in the secluded pine forests about 5km from the beach. This is an ideal base for groups wanting to explore Nord Pas de Calais, or experience a wide range of outdoor activities. It is open to adult groups as well as schools and youth organisations.

Web links and more information
Tourist information - OFFICE DE TOURISME:
23 avenue de la Concorde, 62152 NEUFCHATEL HARDELOT
Tel: 00 33 3 21 83 02 65 - Fax: 00 33 21 91 84 60
Local area map:
Boulonnais area map
Click on places for more information

Places to visit
Les Chocolats de Beussant - small chocolate factory
Traditional boulangerie - craft bakery near Hardelot
Nausicaa - sea-world centre in Boulogne

On the beach:
Sand-yachting - exciting high-speed thrills on the sand
Sailing - learn to sail at Hardelot

MAREIS - interactive exhibition about working fishermen, Etaples
AQUALUD - water-based activity centre, Le Touquet
Bagatelle - amusement park, Berck
Aréna - Sand dunes study centre

Background Information:
Seaside holidays
Artists of the Côte d'Opale
Fishing
Golf - guide to the region's golf courses for visitors
Sports and outdoor leisure facilities

QUICK TOUR : 8 best places to visit from a residential base in Hardelot

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www.theotherside.co.uk © Copyright Invicta Media 1999-2001 Last updated 23rd July 2002

Places to visit \| Local area map \| KCC residential centre \| * * nearest station: Neufchatel, 2km
*Hardelot*

A few Edwardian seaside villas survived wartime damage.	An Edwardian seaside resort in France Hardelot's wide sandy beaches are fringed with sand dunes and pine forests. The resort was started in 1900 by Sir John Whitney, an Englishman who owned the local château and saw the opportunity to create magnificent outdoor sporting and leisure facilities. Edwardian families spent their summer holidays in spacious villas in the forests. The château became a clubhouse for golfers; they enjoyed sailing, tennis and cricket [see seaside holidays]. Later King George V spent two holidays there. Louis Blériot French families also bought property at the new resort. One was Louis Blériot, who pioneered sand-yachting on the wide flat beaches, as well as practising flying. [Blériot was first to fly an airplane across the Channel in 1909.]
Hardelot's pgolf course set amongst the pine forests	Second World War The Germans destroyed most of Hardelot to built coastal defences against the Allied invasion, which they expected here rather than in Normandy. [see Operation Fortitude South for the story of Allied wartime deception].
		New developments After decades of inactivity, new owners took over Hardelot in the 'sixties, and started building new houses and facilities. Today Hardelot again has first class golf courses, a sailing club, and everything from horse-riding, wndsurfing to sand-yachting.... It is recognised as a "KID Station" - a "child-friendly" resort.
Horse riding facilities for all ages at Hardelot. The wide flat beaches made it the first international centre for sand-yachting. Hardelot's annual International Sand-sculpting competition is held in July - Sailboarding near the beach in sight of dunes and pine-forests.