This weekend saw us travel to Northern France to see what the Côte d’Opale had to offer. Our first stop was Cap Blanc Nez (‘Cape White Nose’) which is one of the two caps, the other being Cap Griz Nez. Listed since 1987, it’s part of the network of Great Sites of France along with Navacelles, the Gorges du Verdon, the city of Carcassonne and the Bay of Mont Saint Michel.
There are many marked trails along the coast overlooking the cliffs which at its peak is 134 metres. At the top of the chalky cliffs, bomb craters from World War II are still visible. There is a huge obelisk at the summit which commemorates the Dover Patrol who kept the channel free from U-boats during the First World War. The Dover Patrol was a Royal Navy command notable for its involvement in the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918.
We took the shortest route to the summit which took less then ten minutes and offered fabulous views across the nearby valley and beyond. On a clear day you can see the white cliffs of Dover on the other side of the Channel.
Under the lake you see below are three enormous concrete bunkers that housed gigantic 406mm in diameter Krupp SKC/34 guns, each weighing 160 tonnes. These were submerged in 1993 in the slurry when the Channel Tunnel was built.
In 1914 to 1918 the Dover Straight was essential to France and the United Kingdom. The maritime unit was formed to ensure the safety of the passage and prevent German attacks. As most of the ships were based in Dover, they were named the Dover Patrol and this obelisk was built in 1944 (and subsequently re-built) to commemorates them.
Linking up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast.
wow what an amazing place with such incredible history
I saw the last photo on Instagram earlier and it brightened my day – such a bright blue sky!
I lived in Calais many years ago which was an awful place to live but a great place to get out of and explore! We used to walk and picnic on the Caps often and you’ve brought back some lovely memories. You might like to link this up to my monthly French linky #AllAboutFrance which is on again this Thursday 1st Oct. I’d love to see you there!
Looks lovely. Apart from Paris, and a day trip to Versailles, I have not traveled around France. I would love to visit the north and see these historic sites.
Such great view it great to learn some history behind the area too.
Wow such stunning views and pictures.
We love this part of France. We used to visit a lot BC (before children). We love france and can not wait to explore it more with the boys.
These pictures are stunning! H x
I need to explore France a bit more considering how close we live to Dover – it looks like a beautiful day that you went exploring!
Wow what some stunning photos – that sky is so blue as well! x
I find the clues in the landscape as to the past so interesting and haunting at the same time. It must be a weird feeling to stand near to bomb craters.
What gorgeous photos and what a lovely story x
it looks like you had some great weather and always nice to visit a place with a rich history. Mich x
We are going here in February as I have booked a trip for hubby’s birthday. He is obsessed with WW1 and WW2
There are some great remnants out there amongst the farmland on the Atlantic.
I especially like the roadway from Calais to Boulogne-sur-Mer.
My wife and I stayed with a couple we met in Ghent a few years before.
It really helps if you can find someone local to the area to meet when you get there.
[…] On our recent trip up the coast in Northern France, we stumbled upon Batterie Todt. Located in the hamlet of Haringzelle, Audinghen near Cap Gris Nez, it’s a stones throw away from our first stop Cap Blanc Nez. […]
I love that part of France, and it’s really interesting to find out its history. I was in Normandy last year to find out about the D-Day anniversary commemorations and there are some fascinating places to visit there.
Beautiful pictures, stunning views
I love places like this that are filled with history – great photos too.
[…] On our recent break to France, we decided to head up the coast to see what the Côte d’Opale had to offer. Although more popular than it once was, this little known part of Northern France has much to offer. We saw bomb craters from World War II, an obelisk to commemorate the Dover Patrol and heard about the guns beneath a lake at Cap Blanc Nez. […]
[…] On our recent trip up the coast of Northern France, we stumbled upon Batterie Todt. Located in the hamlet of Haringzelle, Audinghen near Cape Gris Nez, it’s a stones throw away from our first stop Cap Blanc Nez. […]
[…] our recent up the Côte d’Opale, we visited Cap Blanc Nez and Cap Gris Nez before stopping at Boulogne-sur-Mer. With our accommodation just ten minutes […]
[…] our recent trip to the Côte d’Opale, we visited Cap Blanc Nez and Cap Gris Nez before stopping at Boulogne-sur-Mer. With accommodation just ten minutes walk […]