Somme Bay cycling trip

Discover the Somme Bay by bike

Discover the Somme Bay by bike and let yourself be seduced by the beauty of its landscapes and the richness of its flora and fauna. Located in the Hauts-de-France region, the Somme Bay is an estuary covering 70 square kilometres. Its vast expanses of sand and mud are shaped by the tides, creating ever-changing landscapes. As you cycle through the area, you can spot the famous harbour seals basking on the sandbanks, as well as a multitude of migratory birds, some of which are rare and protected species.

The Somme Bay Picardie Maritime Regional Nature Park is a jewel of nature conservation. Created in 2020, it covers a vast area of 220,000 hectares and aims to protect and enhance the bay’s unique biodiversity. You’ll find wetlands, marshes, dunes and woodlands, offering diverse habitats for a variety of flora and fauna. The cycle paths running through the park allow you to immerse yourself in this unspoilt natural environment, where every kilometre you cover brings you a little closer to nature.

The Somme Bay ecosystem is incredibly rich. The wetlands are home to a specific flora made up of saltwort, obiones and maritime asters. These plants play a crucial role in stabilising the soil and filtering the water. As for the fauna, in addition to seals and birds, the bay is a passageway for many species of fish and invertebrates. Sustainable management of these ecosystems is essential to maintaining the ecological balance of the region.

The region and its inhabitants

The Somme Bay is located in the northern part of France, in the old historic region of Picardy now included in the Hauts de France. This is the north of France. The architecture of the houses is felt as well as the accent of the inhabitants which recalls neighboring Belgium.
Renowned for their warmth, the Picards welcome you with open arms. They are pleased to help you discover the natural, historical and cultural riches of the Somme Bay.

The Somme Bay is a tasty gastronomy shared between the products of the land and the sea. The Picardy specialties are a clever combination of these two influences. Ficelle picarde (savory crêpe) and bisteu (potato casserole) are the most popular appetizers. Traditional dishes are divided between meat (rabbit with prunes) and fish (la caudière). Caught in the Somme Bay, cockles and mussels as well as prawns are popular products with locals. Blackcurrant liqueur embellished with cider brandy, cassigoutte is the emblematic alcohol of the region.

Roads and cycle paths in the Somme Bay

The Somme Bay is crossed by the Vélomaritime which links Roscoff in Brittany to Bray Dunes at the gates of Belgium. Its 1,500 kilometer coastline runs along the coasts of the Channel and the North Sea. On a European scale, this route is part of EuroVelo 4 which then runs to Kiev in Ukraine. In the Somme Bay sector, the Vélomaritime is mainly made up of specific site routes with gentle relief, which ensures safety and comfort for travelers.

On the banks of the Somme canal, a greenway links Saint-Valéry sur Somme to Amiens, the largest town in the Somme department. Dotted with castles and bathed in generous nature, the Somme cycle route is 160 kilometers long.

The weather in Somme Bay

In the Somme Bay, the climate is mild. The influence of the sea brings balminess. As in Brittany or Normandy, rain is not uncommon but the wind blowing from the sea quickly chases the precipitation away. From May, cycling through the Bay of Somme is pleasant with temperatures often close to 20°C. Summer is the perfect time. The sun is shining in the Picardy sky and temperatures fluctuate between 20 and 30°C. By bike, it is nice to travel in the Somme Bay from May to September with the weather being most often mild during this period.

The 6 must-see experiences in the Somme Bay

Nature and culture enthusiasts will be pleased during their stay in the Somme Bay by bike thanks to these must-do experiences:

• Admire the seals in their natural habitat. With nearly 500 seals in total, the largest seal colony has taken up residence in the Somme Bay. You will have the pleasure of observing them while traveling the trails of the Somme Bay by bike.
• Stroll through the medieval city of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme. Take the time to discover Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme perched on its limestone promontory facing the Somme Bay. From the village, fantastic panoramas offer a breathtaking view of the Somme Bay.
• Birdwatching in the Marquenterre park. With 200 hectares of dunes, forests and marshes, the Marquenterre Park is a Mecca for ornithology in Europe. It serves as a refuge for more than 300 species of migratory birds. For a break, leave the bike aside to admire the poultry fauna and the swarms of wild birds.
• Experience the magic of high tides in the Somme Bay. After the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, the Somme Bay is the scene of one of the strongest tidal ranges in Europe. Twice a day, the tides shape the landscape of the Somme Bay. At low tide, long sandy stretches dominate. At high tide, the sea enters the bay to the salt marshes where the sheep graze. Observing the high tides in the Somme Bay is a fabulous natural spectacle.
• Relax in Le Crotoy, a charming little fishing port. In the 17th century, the port of Crotoy was one of the most important in the whole of the Channel. The gradual silting up of the Somme Bay has slowed down its activity. Today, the charm of Crotoy endures. People come here to rest after a stopover by bike or a sea trip. With its two red and white turrets, its silhouette is recognizable from afar.
• Gaze at the Channel from Ault and its chalk cliffs. South of the Bay of Somme, the landscape is changing. The sand gives way to pebbles and we gain altitude. From the top of the vertiginous cliffs, pearly white and bathed in turquoise waters, enjoy an endless panorama of the English Channel.