France Mers-les-Bains Beach

Mers-les-Bains is a picturesque seaside commune located in the Somme department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. Nestled along the English Channel near the mouth of the Bresle River, it lies at the border between Picardy and Normandy and forms part of the "Trois Villes Sœurs" (Three Sister Towns) alongside Le Tréport and Eu.

Originally a modest fishing village, Mers-les-Bains began to flourish in the late 19th century with the rise of sea bathing as a fashionable activity among the Parisian bourgeoisie. The construction of a railway line connecting Paris to Le Tréport made the town easily accessible, encouraging families to visit for its fresh, iodized air and scenic coastline. Many visitors eventually built elegant second homes, contributing to the town’s architectural charm.

The town is renowned for its Belle Époque and Art Nouveau villas, which line the seafront. These buildings are protected by strict preservation laws—renovations must use original materials and colors, and modern alterations like plastic doors or roller shutters are prohibited .

Suggested Route: Via E40 and A28 through Lille and Abbeville. Scenic and relatively direct.