A family weekend in Berck-sur-Mer: our programme

Planning a weekend in Berck-sur-Mer with your children? At Un Air de Berck, we often welcome families, and we've got into the habit of suggesting a few ideas for enjoying the coast without rushing around. Here is the programme we suggest, to adapt to the weather, your children's ages and your wishes.

Friday evening: arriving and breathing in the sea air

Our three apartments are less than 100 metres from the beach. The Sable & Sel studio is even about thirty metres away. Once the suitcases are unpacked, the first reflex is often the same: go down and see the sea, even for a few minutes.

For weekend shopping, several convenient shops are nearby:

• the Carrefour City, rue de l'Impératrice, for everyday small purchases;
• the Carrefour Market, rue Soubitez, for a fuller shop;
• the Carrefour on avenue de Verdun, if you arrive by car.

If you don't feel like cooking after the journey, La Grignote, rue Saint-Pierre, or L'Avenue, avenue du Docteur Quettier, are two places we happily recommend. [Your favourite dish or a tip on one of these restaurants]

Saturday morning: the beach and the Esplanade

Berck's beach is wide and flat, perfect for children. Buckets, spades, balls, kites: everyone finds something to do. The beach is also known for its kites, and it only takes a bit of wind for the sky to fill with colour.

Remember to check the tide times before you set out: at low tide, the foreshore uncovers a long way out and becomes a great playground and observation area for young explorers.

For lunch, the Esplanade Parmentier is very close. We particularly like Le Sunset and La Réserve, both facing the sea. Handy when the children still have sand all over their shoes.

Saturday afternoon: little train and museum

After a nap at the apartment for the youngest, it's time for a gentle discovery of the town. The tourist train leaves from avenue Francis Tattegrain. Children love it, and parents discover Berck without having to carry anyone on their shoulders.

Right next door, the Office de tourisme can tell you about current opening hours and the events planned during your stay.

If the weather turns rainy, the Musée Opale Sud, rue de l'Impératrice, is a good fallback. It offers an introduction to the history and heritage of Berck and its coastline. [A word on what children enjoy most in this museum]

Sunday: heading to the Authie bay

Keep Sunday morning for a nature outing. The Authie bay offers beautiful landscapes of dunes, sand and sky, very different from the atmosphere of the town-centre beach. Two viewpoints are easy to reach: one at the chemin aux Raisins, the other at the impasse de la Bassurelle.

The bay is known for its seals, which you can sometimes spot in the distance on the sandbanks. Bring binoculars if you have them, and remind the children that we watch them from a distance and in silence. [Our tips for the best time to observe them]

A stop at the guinguette

To finish the walk, La Guinguette brasserie, chemin aux Raisins, is in the same area. It's a pleasant spot for a family lunch before getting back on the road.

Our little tips for a successful weekend

• Bring warm clothes and a windbreaker, even in summer: the wind on the Côte d'Opale gives no warning.
• Keep a spare outfit for the children, as the sea always attracts them more than you'd think.
• Don't overload the programme: in Berck, an hour watching the tide come in often ends up among the best memories.

For families, our Horizon and Ecumes apartments have two bedrooms and accommodate up to five people, with sea views. Ecumes even has a balcony to enjoy the sunset once the children are in bed.

If this programme makes you want to come, Xavier and Sandrine will be happy to welcome you. You can book your stay directly on this site, and we remain available to answer your questions before you arrive.