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For golfers
There are many excellent courses in this part of France. the nearest to the chateau is the St Omer, but other well known courses within a reasonable distance are Le Touquet, Hardelot and Wimereux.
For fishermen there are the lakes at Ouve Wirquin, a neighbouring village, and sea fishing outings from the port of Etaples.
For the young ones
The amusement theme park Dennlys Park is at Dennebroeucq about 15 minutes from the chateau. The Vallée de l'Aa steam train starts at Lumbres, again about 15 minutes from the chateau. You can take the train into St Omer and spend the day around the old town and the canal area , then get a return train and be home for an evening barbeque. For good reason, the region's most visited attraction is the marine world Nausicaa at Boulogne, 35 minutes from the chateau. Other popular destinations are Aqualud at Le Touquet, with both indoor and outdoor water slides, chutes and pools , and Bagatelle theme amusement park at Berck plage.
Other sites of interest
La Coupole museum and the Eperlecques Blockhaus are former V1 V2 launch sites. Both are near St Omer . La Coupole is about 20 minutes from the chateau.
At Verchocq , barely 5 minutes away, is a riding stables, one of several within a reasonable distance.
The historic walled town of Montreuil sur Mer is a 30 minute drive and is well worth a visit for its choice of excellent restaurants.
The famous resort of Le Touquet is 40 minutes from the chateau. There you will find many fashionable boutiques cafés and restaurants, two casinos, beautiful public parks, a twice weekly open market and an atmosphere quite unlike any other.
War graves and sites
The chateau is ideally located for those people interested in the military history of the region. Agincourt and Crecy are almost local. Arras, Vimy, Bethune , the Somme , Albert and many others can be visited in hours although they merit more time than that. La Coupole and Eperlecques have already been mentioned. At Etaples, a working fishing port close to Le Touquet, there are still to be found enormous concrete WW2 gun emplacements in the forest.
Shopping
For your daily requirements a good supermarket plus other shops are located at Fauquembergues , approximately 5 minutes by car. Fauquembergues has a weekly open market in the town square by the 13th century church, and a couple of reasonable restaurants.
For the more ardent shoppers, the nearest hypermarket is at Longuenesse, between the chateau and St Omer, so allow 20 minutes for the drive.
More quirky items and local produce can be found in the narrow lanes of St Omer's old town. The best open market is Etaples , on Tuesday and Friday from 8am until midday. As this town is a busy port for inshore fishing , the quayside restaurants serve excellent sea food.
Close to the Tunnel at Coquelles is the renowned large indoor mall City Europe. Very modern, air conditioned, easy parking but not particularly French.
Perhaps the best aspect of this area , the Aa valley, is that it has not become commercialised and tourist dominated. It is still distinctly French and life happens at a relaxed pace. Yet it is easily accessed, with good road connections to the channel, to the coastal resorts and to Paris. Hidden in the neighbouring villages are some excellent restaurants and auberges priced for the locals and where you just might be the only english speaking customers.
parking
There is ample off-street parking . Campervans and minibuses are welcome. For drivers of open top cars, vintage cars etc , safe garaging can be made available.
places to eat
The restaurants that are listed here are off the beaten track so are not priced for the tourist market. That makes them excellent value.
Le Fournil at Coupelle la Vieille , between Fruges and Fauquembergues.
Please quote Our Inns when enquiring or booking
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