There's no shortage of ways to discover the hidden face of St Valery: take a steam train ride, cross the Bay of the Somme on foot with a nature guide, or take a boat out to sea to see France's largest colony of harbour seals.
THE BAY OF SOMME BY STEAM TRAIN
Authentic locomotives and carriages will take you on a steamy tour of the Baie de Somme! On this ride through the mollières, marshes and meadows, take a trip back to 1900 and travel as far as Cayeux-sur-Mer and the town of Le Crotoy, on the old "Réseau des Bains de Mer". Opt for the guided tour, as the guide will tell you all about the history of the little train, the machines and the carriages. Le Chemin de fer de la Baie de Somme, 80230 St Valery sur Somme. Tel: 03 22 26 96 96, more info at www.chemindefer-baiedesomme.fr
BOAT TRIP IN THE BAY OF SOMME
Come aboard the Commandant Charcot for a trip to the heart of the Baie de Somme. Set off for a 40-minute to 2-hour cruise between Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, Le Crotoy and Le Hourdel, to see the grey seals. The Baie de Somme is home to the largest colony of harbour seals on the French coast. Another option: a trip aboard the P'tit Charcot, a 12-seater rigid semi. Address: Quai Perrée, 80230 Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. For more information, visit www.bateau-baie-somme.com
CROSSING THE BAY ON FOOT WITH A GUIDE
One of the most popular outings is to cross the bay from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme to Le Crotoy at low tide. For obvious safety reasons, it is out of the question to embark on this adventure without an experienced guide". This 3-hour guided walk will introduce you to the vastness of the Baie de Somme and its environmental riches. You'll need to be in good physical condition, as you'll be moving through a varied environment (sandbanks, quicksand, mudflats, etc.). For more information, visit www.randonature-baiedesomme.com
