The Somme meanders through the landscape to form a bay in the far west and empty into the sea. The beautiful Bay of the Somme is a patchwork of mud flats and salt marshes, which drown every day in the rising tide. It is also one of the jewels of the Picardy coast with a vast dune area to the north, perpendicular chalk cliffs to the south and some picturesque seaside resorts in between.
Department of Somme
Walking in the Somme department.
The Bay of the Somme is one of the most beautiful natural areas in France. It is similar to the Zwin, but a lot bigger. Just like the Zwin, it is a popular residence for (migratory) birds, who mainly retreat to the Marquenterre, the nature reserve north of the bay. In the nature reserve there are many hiking trails and also an educational center.
Accommodation in the Somme department.
Bay of the Somme.
This bay has an area of 70 km² and extends from Le Hourdel to Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont. The bay is formed by the Somme estuary, which flows into the Channel here. A smaller river, the Maye, also flows into the bay here. The bay consists of mud flats and salt marshes, and the fresh water is carried along by the Fleuve marin côtier, a coastal current along the Picardy estuaries in a northerly direction. The bay is rich in life forms, including marine animals, water birds and seals. Sea lavender, zale and samphire are some of the typical plants on the salt marshes.