Although it is a very small village of barely 150 souls, it has so much to offer! Tardinghen, which lies between the Deux Caps and is a member of the very select group of villages of the Grand Site de France Les Deux-Caps, truly has been blessed by its fairy godmother! To its left, the wild Gris-Nez, to its right the spectacular Blanc-Nez, and opposite, the English cliffs stand like a thick line of chalk on the canvas of the sky and the sea.
Le Châtelet beach in Tardinghen
This unique viewpoint is offered from the beach of Le Châtelet, at the end of a path which leaves the D940, just before the town hall, and runs towards the sea. A long stretch of sand, quiet and a little wild, this beach is a little gem set in the exceptional setting of the Bay of Wissant.
It rolls out miles of golden sand, offering an ideal playground for horse riders and kite flyers, joggers and families on picnics. Yes, it’s true there is no life guard on duty here, but children will still love to play Robinson Crusoe in the shelter of the pretty dunes !
The Lord Grey, shipwreck in Tardinghen
This vast expanse is only disturbed at low tide by the ghostly silhouette of the Lord Grey. The British trawler, requisitioned in 1915 by the Royal Navy and transformed into a minesweeper, sank at the end of 1917. More than a hundred years after the sinking, all that remains is a sad hull covered with shells and seaweed, imprisoning crustaceans and fish for the duration of a tide.
Tardinghen; farming and brewing
But Tardinghen is also, and above all, a picturesque village clinging to the coastal road between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais. With its farming, milk production and cattle ranching, the village maintains its original agricultural vocation with, as a bonus, a tasty new string to its bow: the 2 Caps Craft Brewery. Christophe Noyon passionately brews beers that speak of the region in their own way. Blanche de Wissant, Noire de Slack or 2 Caps can be discovered during a visit and tasting at the Domaine de Belle Dalle in Tardinghen.
Highlighting the church of Tardinghen and its panoramic viewpoint
Between sips of beer and a swim, you can climb up to the charming little church of Saint-Martin. At the end of a staircase lined with boxwood, it offers a moment of serenity behind its beautifully sober stained glass windows. On the side of the church there are useful information panels, but above all a bench where you can sit and enjoy the view. Here Tardinghen offers a breathtaking panoramic view and an endless palette of colours. The rooftops of a few farms, the hedged pastures, the green copses, the sparkling ponds and the crescent of white sand that hems in the bay are all clearly visible. Another balcony overlooking the sea, where you can rest for a few minutes or a couple of hours while your spirit soars !
Walking in Tardinghen
Starting from the church, the most courageous walkers will take the Berniques trail; eight kilometres on foot to discover the agricultural plains, the Châtelet dune and the Bay of Wissant, not to mention Tardinghen Marsh, a real hotspot for photographers and birdwatchers. This village is a paradise for hikers!
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