Lens Beaches

Overview

While Lens itself is an inland city, it serves as an excellent gateway to the stunning beaches of the Opal Coast. Located just over an hour's drive away, the coastline offers a dramatic contrast to the city's rich industrial heritage. This unique position allows visitors to enjoy a holiday that combines world-class art and history with refreshing day trips to the expansive shores of the English Channel.

The Opal Coast is famed for its diverse beach experiences. You can find the most dramatic scenery beneath the towering white cliffs at Plage d'Escalles, or enjoy the quintessential seaside town atmosphere at Plage de Wimereux. For those seeking adventure, the windy expanse of Plage de Fort-Mahon is the premier destination for sand yachting. Many families also flock to the popular shores of Berck-sur-Mer, famous for its colony of seals basking on the sandbanks at low tide.

Unlike the calm Mediterranean, these northern beaches are wild, vast, and windswept, making them a paradise for active pursuits. Locals often head to Plage de Wissant for watersports, while those seeking a quiet escape can find it at the secluded Plage d'Écault, backed by beautiful dunes. For a complete look at all the coastal gems within reach, be sure to explore our full guide to the region's best beaches.

FAQ

People Also Ask

Are there beaches in Lens?

Lens is an inland city and does not have natural beaches. However, it is located in the Hauts-de-France region, which includes the beautiful Opal Coast (Côte d'Opale) on the English Channel. The coastal beaches are accessible from Lens for day trips. Additionally, the nearby town of Avion sometimes hosts a summer artificial beach event called 'Avion Plage' at a local lake, providing a closer option for swimming and relaxation.

How far is Lens from the nearest beach?

The nearest coastal beaches to Lens are on the Opal Coast, approximately 75 to 100 kilometers away. The drive to popular seaside towns like Berck-sur-Mer or Le Touquet-Paris-Plage typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by car.

What's the easiest way to get to the Opal Coast from Lens?

The easiest way to reach the Opal Coast beaches from Lens is by car, offering the most flexibility to explore different coastal towns. While Lens has a train station with connections to cities like Calais, direct train routes to smaller beach resorts can be limited, often making driving the more practical option for a beach day trip.

Can you swim in the sea near Lens?

Yes, you can swim in the English Channel at the beaches of the Opal Coast. However, the water is known to be quite cold, even in the summer. The beaches are vast and sandy, but always check the local safety flags before entering the water, as tides and currents can be strong.

Is Lens a good base for a beach holiday?

Lens is an excellent base for a holiday that combines culture with beach day trips. While not a traditional beach resort itself, its location allows visitors to explore the Louvre-Lens museum and the region's mining history, while being only an hour's drive from the expansive sandy beaches of the Opal Coast. For a holiday focused solely on the beach, staying directly in a coastal town like Le Touquet or Wimereux might be more convenient.

Plage de Wimereux

Which is better for a family day trip from Lens: Le Touquet or Berck-sur-Mer?

Both are great family choices. Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is known for being a chic, elegant resort with a wide range of activities, shops, and restaurants. Berck-sur-Mer is also very family-friendly and is particularly famous for its large colony of seals that can be seen on the sandbanks at low tide, which is a unique attraction for children.

What are the beaches on the Opal Coast like?

The beaches of the Opal Coast are characterized by their vast, long stretches of fine, white sand, backed by dunes and sometimes dramatic white cliffs, like Cap Blanc-Nez. They are often windy, which makes them extremely popular for activities like sand yachting, kite surfing, and windsurfing.

Beach Cap Blanc-Nez

Are there any local beach alternatives in Lens itself?

Yes, during the summer, the nearby commune of Avion sets up 'Avion Plage' at the Lac aux 3 Ilets. It features a sandy beach area, supervised swimming in the lake, and water activities like paddle boats and kayaks, offering a convenient freshwater beach experience without the drive to the coast.

What is there to do on the beaches near Lens besides swimming?

The beaches of the Opal Coast are a hub for outdoor activities. Due to the wide-open spaces and consistent wind, sand yachting (char à voile) is extremely popular. Other common activities include kite surfing, horseback riding on the beach, hiking along coastal paths like the GR 120, and exploring World War II bunkers that dot the coastline.

Are the beaches near Lens crowded?

Popular resorts like Le Touquet and Berck-sur-Mer can be busy during peak summer weekends and holidays. However, the beaches are so vast that it's usually possible to find a less crowded spot by walking a short distance. For quieter experiences, you can explore less-developed beaches like those near Wissant or Ambleteuse.

Plage de Wissant

Can I see England from the beaches near Lens?

On a clear day, yes. From the top of the cliffs at Cap Blanc-Nez, which is about a 90-minute drive from Lens, you can see the White Cliffs of Dover across the English Channel. This is a famous and popular viewpoint on the Opal Coast.

Beach Cap Blanc-Nez

How does the Opal Coast compare to the beaches in the South of France?

The Opal Coast offers a very different experience from the Mediterranean beaches in the South of France. The northern beaches are vast, wild, and windy with cooler water temperatures, ideal for active pursuits like sand yachting and long walks. The South of France is known for its warmer, calmer, turquoise waters, pebbly or golden sand beaches, and a more glamorous, sunbathing-focused atmosphere.