Fine sandy beaches lapped by the English Channel; hundreds of opulent villas scattered between forest and sea; prestigious hotels. On the Opal Coast, Le Touquet-Paris Plage has everything it takes to attract tourists and event organisers alike.
You might think that naming this small town on the English Channel after the capital is a recent marketing initiative. " No, it wasn't. It was certainly a promotional operation to sell the resort as the "beach of Paris". But the name dates back to 1882″says Estelle Dubail, head of communications for Le Touquet&Co, the organisation responsible for tourism and promoting the town.
Le Touquet-Paris Plage boasts an exceptional Art Deco heritage (Town Hall - Seafront - Post Office - Villas in the town centre - Villa Nirvana in La Forêt - Photos: LC except La Poste by Jean Boissel, GFDL http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html, via Wikimedia Commons).
With its position at the crossroads between Paris, England and Belgium, and its mild climate between the English Channel and the Bay of Canche, Le Touquet soon attracted the Parisian bourgeoisie and the wealthy English. From then on, both would shape the resort's social life.
In less than 50 years, urban planners and developers transformed the former sand dunes into an elegant city with imposing villas and luxury hotels, two casinos, a racecourse and riding school, tennis courts, a golf course and, at the time, a tramway serving Etaples station. While this marvellous scenery is still there today, we regret that the tramway ceased operating after bombing raids in 1940. It was never used again.
This prestigious town planning contributed to the Golden Age of Le Touquet. This golden age reached its apogee in the 20s and 30s, when the resort set the tone for seaside holidays for high society. During the "Roaring Twenties", Le Touquet even acquired a new identity through its infatuation with Art Deco. It saw the construction of an extravagant town hall with its gigantic belfry, a post office that resembled an equally astonishing luxury villa, and a half-moon covered market. The proliferation of mansions, new hotels, an airfield and a shopping area will give the resort a big-city feel. A look that has been maintained despite a population of just over 4,500!
" From time immemorial, Le Touquet has cultivated discretion, a bourgeois charm without ostentation. This is what gives our town its charm and attracts visitors, including the most prestigious." explains Estelle Dubail. This discretion is perfect for visitors from across the Channel, who love to spend their holidays here. It is said that Le Touquet is the most British resort in France. Agatha Christie, Noël Coward or H.G. Wells, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were regulars.
The Westminster, the epitome of Le Touquet's "golden age
In the heart of the city stands the finest symbol of this fusion of French art de vivre and British influence: the Hotel Westminster. In a way, it is the 'flagship' of a hotel offering of some 1,200 rooms. With its superb Art Deco façade, the hotel is an imposing landmark that has preserved its aura of prestige. " The hotel reopened in 2020 after four years of renovation. The total number of rooms has been reduced to 104 in order to offer even higher standards of comfort. Our rooms have also been completely redecorated in a style largely inspired by the 1930s." says Béatrice Hoisne, Sales Director.
The Westminster also cultivates anecdotes. Room 007 is a tribute to Ian Fleming. The creator of James Bond actually liked to stay in the hotel and found inspiration for his novel Casino Royale in Le Touquet. According to Béatrice Hoisne, room 007 is a real asset for VIP guests, particularly during conferences.
The only five-star hotel on the Côte d'Opale, it is a must for any prestigious MICE event. "Between 20 and 25% of our turnover comes from MICE," adds Béatrice Hoisne.
The hotel has an events wing. There are 10 fully refurbished meeting rooms and banqueting halls ranging from 20 to 350m², which can accommodate up to 250 people. In terms of gastronomy and leisure, the Westminster offers a spa, fitness rooms, two restaurants (including the Michelin-starred Pavillon) and a bar with its own in-house mixologist.
A convention centre worthy of a metropolis
The Westminster is a five-minute walk from the Palais des Congrès, another historic structure, which houses conference rooms on one side and the Barrière casino on the other.
Once again, MICE event organisers will be amazed by the quality of this congress centre's infrastructure, which is exceptional for such a small town. Renovated and extended between 2018 and 2020 by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the convention centre has a capacity of around 2,600 people spread over 4,400m². Its 16 spaces can accommodate events from 10 to 1,156 people in its main amphitheatre.
As well as conferences, the centre is a multi-purpose venue. It also organises concerts, theatre performances and product launches. This is thanks in no small part to the presence of a technical team well versed in communications technologies such as live broadcasting, videoconferencing, sound systems and stage design. " After medical conferences, we are now targeting conferences on the automotive industry, a very buoyant sector." explains Pierre Labonté, director of the Palais des Congrès.
To complete its MICE and events offer, Le Touquet has created a new structure, the Orangerie de la Baie. A modular and totally flexible space of 400 m2This is the perfect setting for a conference or event close to the equestrian centre. From the terrace, participants have a breathtaking view of the beautiful Bay of Canche, set between sky and water.
The most difficult thing about Le Touquet for MICE organisers is making a choice. Advice is available from a team dedicated to professionals, Le Touquet Résa. The team can put its address book at your disposal to help you organise a turnkey event. Le Touquet certainly knows how to seduce, right down to the smallest detail...
INFORMATION
- Le Touquet is 2 hours 20 minutes by train from Paris and 1 hour 30 minutes from Lille. And just two hours' drive from Paris or Belgium.
- Information about Le Touquet: The Le Touquet Résa team is available on 03.21.06.48.62 or by mail.
– Westminster Hotel & Spa Tel: +33 (0)3 21 05 48 48. Site : www.hotelsbarriere.com
