Hardelot is a charming little resort with 13 kilometres of unspoilt sandy beaches providing a paradise for wind sports enthusiasts not far from Le Touquet. The town centre has plenty of restaurants, brasseries and bars, not to mention ‘crêperies’ and there is no shortage of chic shops. Beyond that is a newly opened specialist food store, L’Epicerie’, brimming over with delicious local produce. We have two excellent hotels here - Hotel du Parc and Le Regina. In Hardelot you can enjoy all year round sailing, kite flying, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing – not to mention sand yachting. The resort first came to prominence in Edwardian times, indeed it was Louis Bleriot, the celebrated aviator who was the first to cross the channel in an aeroplane and invented the forerunner of the sand yacht. It is an idyllic spot to take the children for a summer holiday.

Indeed the resort is coded as a ‘kids’ resort. There are 38 such resorts in France now, all of which focus in particular on the welcome, equipment, activities, security and environment especially prepared with children in mind. If the pleasures of the beach should fade and you are inclined to spend a day on the greens, then there are two excellent golf courses at Hardelot. Both “The Pins” golf course with 18 holes which is the older of the two courses and reputed to be the most technical in Europe and the “Dunes“. Both are high quality and attract players from beginners to international status. The two courses both enjoy beautiful settings amongst the pine forests and secluded villas which lie between Hardelot and Neufchâtel Hardelot situated slightly inland. There is a riding school and pony club for those keen on equestrian pursuits with riding through the pine forests or on trails leading to the beach. Hardelot is within easy reach of either Boulogne, Calais or Eurotunnel.