Mers-les-Bains is a seaside town that is notable for the Belle Epoque villas facing the ocean. It is on the other side of the Bresle estuary from the busier town of Le-Treport.
Explore Mers-les-Bains
Along the seafront are the beautiful villas that were built at the end of the 19th century when the craze for 'sea-bathing began'. The villas not only have an attractive display of architectural features such as patterned wooden balconies, large bay windows and interesting shaped roofs - they are also painted in a wide-range of different colours.
The villas on the seafront are particularly splendid but there are many others to admire throughout the town.
All in all there are about 600 Belle Epoque villas and they are particularly attractive as the sun sets .
Keep a lookout also for the pretty ceramic plaques with the names of the villas. The town has one of the largest collections of these ceramic name-plates.
Mers les Bains has an art deco church, Saint Martin's church, and also you can walk to the religious statue of Notre Dame de la Falaise, which offers great views over the surroundings.
The beach itself is a long stretch of pebbly beach which is home to a ligne of white beach huts, adding to the Belle Epoque atmosphere of the town. At low tide there is a small sweep of sandy beech. At the end of the beach the white cliffs soar up and dominate the horizon.
A particularly good time to visit is in July for the 'Fête des Baigneurs' when townsfolk dress in swimming costumes or dresses of the Belle Epoque.
As well as admiring the architecure this is a great spot for windsurfing.
Places to visit nearby
Mers-les-Bains is one of three neighbouring towns known collectively as the 'villes soeurs' or sister towns. The others are Le-Treport which sits on the other side of the estuary and whilst not as pretty is a larger resort with more shops and restaurants etc. Eu is an attractive town set slightly inland and centered around a large chateau.
Fans of Belle Epoque villas will also want to visit the tiny resort of Le-Bois-de-Cise further up the coast, which also has some lovely villas set in the woods next to the coastline. There is also a great view point over the estuary of the Bay de Somme.
The Somme Bay is one of France's 'Grand Sites' because of the importance of its wetland habitat. It is home to hundreds of species of migrating birds and it is considered to be one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
You can find more travel ideas in the Somme guide and the Picardie guide.
Photos of Mers-les-Bains
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Hotels in Mers-les-Bains
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Map of Mers-les-Bains and places nearby
Visit near Mers-les-Bains with France This Way reviews
Le Treport
The highlight of a visit to the active port town of Le Tréport is the coastal cliff scenery around the town
Le Treport guide
Eu
The red-brick castle, built in the 16th century, is the main attraction for visitors to Eu
Eu guide
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is one of the nicest towns in the region, especially the area around the harbour with the old fishermen cottages
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme guide
The Bay of the Somme
The Somme Bay is a large bay with a wide natural habitat
The Bay of the Somme guide
Le Crotoy
The long sandy beach is the main attraction in Le Crotoy, and the town is also very pleasant to explore
Le Crotoy guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Somme
Tourist classifications for Mers-les-Bains
Mers-les-Bains is classified as a historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)
Address: Mers-les-Bains, Ault, Abbeville, Picardie, 80350, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 50.0681, longitude 1.3886
Plan your visit to Mers-les-Bains, Somme
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Eu: recommended detour (3 km)
- Hable-d'Ault: site of natural beauty (11 km)
- Pointe du Hourdel: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Saint-Valery-sur-Somme: recommended detour (22 km)
- Herbarium des remparts: remarkable garden (22 km)
- Baie de Somme: grand site of france (22 km)
- Réserve naturelle de la Baie de Somme: site of natural beauty (22 km)
- Parc du Marquenterre: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Parc et roseraie du château de Rambures: remarkable garden (25 km)
- Estran Cité de la mer: aquarium (27 km)
- Dieppe: town of art and history (27 km)
- Beffroi de Rue (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (30 km)
Market days in Mers-les-Bains, France
Regular market(s) are held in Mers-les-Bains each Thursday & Monday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Mers-les-Bains (Francais)
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