Visiting Mers-les-Bains should be part of your visit to the Côte d'Albâtre! This small town is located just opposite Le Tréport and Eu. These 3 cities are also nicknamed the 3 sister cities.
Mers-les-Bains is also a seaside resort with typical cliffs and historic villas facing the sea.
In this article, I present to you this small town, what to do there as well as ideas for accommodation where to sleep in Mers-les-Bains.
- Presentation of Mers les Bains
- What to do in Mers-les-Bains?
- What to do around Mers-les-Bains?
- Practical information for visiting Mers-les-Bains
- Where to sleep in Mers-les-Bains?
- My opinion on my visit to Mers-les-Bains
Presentation of Mers les Bains
As mentioned in the introduction, Mers-les-Bains, as well as Eu and Le Tréport, are all 3 sister cities. The particularity of Mers-les-Bains is that it is located in a different region and department! Mers-les-Bains is the last city of the Somme in Hauts-de-France before passing into Seine-Maritime, in Normandy.
Mers-les-Bains has been a seaside and tourist resort since the end of the XNUMXth century. With its colorful villas by the sea, Mers-les-Bains was originally a small fishing port.
The therapeutic benefits of sea bathing have enabled Mers-les-Bains to develop to accommodate many holidaymakers. In addition, the arrival of the railway also encouraged travel to this new seaside resort.
No less than 600 villas now make up the seaside district of Mers-les-Bains. This district is also classified as Saved Sector since 1986.
These magnificent architect-designed villas bear witness to a rich and daring past! Indeed, each of these dwellings was built with the aim of demonstrating its social level and its originality. Thus, original elements such as bow windows, loggias or even balconies with sea view have emerged.
On the program, you can admire the mixture of colors, architectural styles and materials used. A veritable open-air museum facing the sea.
What to do in Mers-les-Bains?
- Discover the city center of Mers-les-Bains
- Admire the villas of the seaside district
- Walk on the beach of Mers-les-Bains
- Take height
- Attend the Bathers' Party
Discover the city center of Mers-les-Bains
The town center of Mers-les-Bains has very well-preserved architecture and period dwellings. During your visit, you will be able to observe the historical progression of the various constructions, from the cliffs to Le Tréport.
Among the remarkable sites to see, there is the town hall: this building is decorated with many ceramics and stained glass windows that trace the history of the city.
In the oldest district of Mers-les-Bains, I invite you to pass in front of the Saint-Martin church, dating from 1928, built in a neo-Byzantine style. Inside, there is a remarkable altarpiece dating from the 17th century. It is also classified as a historical monument.
Not far from this church, you can see the oldest house in Mers, which is a fine example of a typical dwelling of the local fishermen of yesteryear.
Finally on the remarkable buildings in Mers-les-Bains, at the entrance of the city, is one of the largest glassworks in the world, where the perfume bottles of the most famous brands are manufactured.
Take your own guided tour!
Visiting Mers-les-Bains will be child's play with these short explanatory videos on the most important and emblematic places in the city. Visit Mers-les-Bains: discovery tour
Admire the villas of the seaside district
The villas of Mers-les-Bains are very famous for their diversity, their architecture and above all, their location facing the sea! Each more original and refined than the next, you can admire the different styles rubbing shoulders.
The facades are elegantly decorated, some are loaded with symbols related to nature, fauna, flora or even the marine environment. Remember to look at the names of all these villas, these are written on the facades.
Many celebrities have frequented this place, some even owned villas in Mers-les-Bains. Among the passages that have marked this small town the most, there is of course the visit of Jules Verne, Gustave Eiffel or Victor Hugo.
Walk on the beach of Mers-les-Bains
The beach of Mers-les-Bains is entirely part of the scenery of the city. This extends all along this seafront, from the cliffs to Le Tréport.
If you visit Mers-les-Bains between May and September, then you will have the chance to see the small wooden cabins taking place on the beach. These typical cabins invade the pebbles of Mers-les-Bains every summer. They belong to families in the region and allow them to store their beach belongings. For the little anecdote, some cabins have belonged to the same family for 4 generations! Each cabin has a name.
Special huts!
The Countess of Paris herself has a wooden hut on the pebble beach of Mers-les-Bains. In order to recognize it easily, it is decorated with a blue border.
Take height
To visit Mers-les-Bains is also to discover its magnificent cliffs, throwing themselves into the sea. If you climb to the heights of the cliff, you will be able to observe Le Tréport on one side, on the other, if sunny weather, Pointe d'Ailly, located just after Dieppe.
Many blockhouses testify to the past of this region. Today, they have found new, more playful functions: orientation table, support for the Notre-Dame de la Falaise statue, etc.
Speaking of this statue, you can admire pretty bas-reliefs representing the 3 patron saints of the 3 sister cities that I presented to you a little higher. This is also where the coastal path begins.
Of course, the rock is very friable and weakened by the action of the sea and bad weather, so it is strictly not recommended to approach the edge of the cliffs.
Speaking of erosion of the cliff, actions are implemented by the municipality to fight against this natural phenomenon: consolidation of the dyke, retention of the pebble bank to preserve the esplanade or, accumulation of rocks at the foot of the cliffs. Each year the cliff recedes a little more, it has happened that villas and even an old church have fallen following this erosion.
Attend the Bathers' Party
History buffs, this festival will arouse your curiosity: the Fête des Baigneurs immerses you in the 1900s. , plan your visit to Mers-les-Bains for the last weekend of July.
What to do around Mers-les-Bains?
To visit Mers-les-Bains is also to discover the surroundings of this city. At the gates of Normandy, I invite you to plan a passage through Le Tréport and Eu, the 2 other sister cities.
Visit Le Treport
This charming little seaside town is located opposite Mers-les-Bains. A seaside resort like its sister and neighbour, there are many other things to do in Le Tréport. Between walks, museums, funicular or even… the cliffs, Le Tréport has some great surprises in store for you.
To learn more about this beautiful city, the surroundings and where to sleep in Le Tréport, I invite you to read our dedicated article: Visit Le Tréport and Eu: What to see, what to do and where to sleep in Le Tréport?.
Visit Eu
As for the town of Eu, a few kilometers from Tréport and Mers-les-Bains, it is renowned for its architecture and its many buildings which are several centuries old. The Hôtel-Dieu, the Notre-Dame collegiate church, the Saint-Laurent chapel and the Louis-Philippe castle museum are sites to visit in Eu. For the little anecdote, King Louis-Philippe greatly appreciated this city and had some of the buildings you can visit!
Practical information for visiting Mers-les-Bains
When you come to visit Mers-les-Bains, you may ask yourself some practical questions for the organization of your stay. Housing issues will be discussed in the next section.
-
How to get to Mers-les-Bains?
The easiest way to get to Mers-les-Bains is of course to come by car. Easily accessible, the A28 motorway is close to the city.
You can also opt for the train or the bus. On the other hand, changes will be necessary, whether you come from Paris, Caen, Rouen or Dieppe.
More information to get to Mers-les-Bains
-
Where to park in Mers-les-Bains?
It is rather easy to park in Mers-les-Bains. You will find parking spaces along the sea front of the villas. Public parking is also available on the Market Square. All these parking spaces are free.
-
When to visit Mers-les-Bains?
The town of Mers-les-Bains is located by the sea, in the north of France. The weather is cooler and windier than in the rest of France. If you want mild weather, I advise you to favor the summer period, from June to September. If you want to take part in the Fête des Baigneurs, then it is a stay at the end of July that you will have to plan.
-
How long should I plan to visit Mers-les-Bains?
Mers-les-Bains is a small town. I think that if you group your visit to Mers-les-Bains with the visit to Le Tréport and Eu, then plan a day for this area. Otherwise, half a day is sufficient.
Where to sleep in Mers-les-Bains?
If you plan to visit Mers-les-Bains and the sister cities, it may be wise to plan a night there. Here is our suggestion of accommodation where to sleep in Mers-les-Bains:
Ibis styles
A first hotel which is a safe bet for sleeping in Mers-les-Bains. This chain offers a very good standard: cleanliness, comfortable bedding, warm welcome, varied breakfast, … You will not be disappointed. As for the location, this hotel is located at the entrance to Mers-les-Bains and close to Le Tréport. Ideal for visiting the region. Hotel See rates
The Lighthouse of Cati
This is a charming little apartment very well located in Mers-les-Bains. The decoration is adorable, the apartment is tastefully renovated and above all, the location is perfect, right in the city center. With a capacity of 6 people, this is an ideal place to sleep in Mers-les-Bains. Apartment See prices
La Rieuse Pouet-Pouet
This last suggestion is also an apartment. Located not far from the previous one in the heart of the city center, its location is ideal. The decoration is original but very pleasant. This apartment is clean and can accommodate up to 4 people. Apartment See prices
These 3 proposals for accommodation where to sleep in Mers-les-Bains offer substantially identical prices, namely around €100 per night for a double room.
My opinion on my visit to Mers-les-Bains
In conclusion of this article on what to do and what to visit in Mers-les-Bains, I can tell you that I was very pleasantly surprised by this small town. Crazy charm, incredibly beautiful seafronts steeped in history, an exceptional view of the cliffs and a huge beach! This small town will surely charm you.
Special mention for the sunset over the sea!
