Mers-les-Bains Travel Guide - Discover the Belle Époque Villas of this Seaside Resort

Discover the charm of Mers-les-Bains, where colourful Belle Époque villas line the coastline, showcasing the elegance, beauty, and unique character of a bygone era that still captivates visitors today.

Nestled along the picturesque coastline of the Picardie, Mers-les-Bains is a charming seaside town famous for its Belle Époque villas, pebble beach, and vibrant promenade. Growing up in the region, I spent many childhood days here with my parents, wandering along the seafront and marveling at the colorful villas. Those visits left a lasting impression, and today, Mers-les-Bains remains one of my favorite spots to enjoy the coastal charm and history of my home region.

In this guide, I’ll take you through the highlights of Mers-les-Bains: from its stunning Belle Époque architecture and scenic seaside walks to cultural treasures and panoramic views. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay, you’ll discover why this hidden gem of Picardie continues to enchant visitors of all ages.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Mers-les-Bains, part of a trio of sister towns with Eu and Le Tréport, is a picturesque seaside resort in northern France’s Somme department. Its location along the English Channel offers great sea views, a long pebble beach, and a lively promenade ideal for walking. One of the town’s highlights is its colorful beach huts, which line the shore and add a nostalgic touch. Beyond the coastline, Mers-les-Bains is renowned for its Belle Époque villas which reflect the town’s rich history and architectural heritage. Walking the streets, visitors can admire ornate façades, decorative details, and the grandeur of a bygone era, making the town as captivating as its seaside scenery.

HISTORY

Mers-les-Bains has a long and fascinating past. The area was originally inhabited by the Gauls and over the centuries saw many different peoples come and go. Its coastal location made it an attractive settlement, and today it remains a charming seaside town with a rich past.

The town’s transformation began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of the railway connecting it to Paris. Suddenly, Mers-les-Bains became accessible to city dwellers seeking fresh air and a peaceful escape. This connection sparked the town’s rise as a fashionable resort, attracting Parisians eager to enjoy the coast and the slower pace of seaside life.

During the Belle Époque, Mers-les-Bains flourished. Elegant villas were built along the shoreline to accommodate wealthy visitors, creating the distinctive architectural landscape that defines the town today. These homes reflected the prosperity and social status of their owners while giving the town its lasting charm and character.

The 20th century brought challenges, particularly during World War II, when Mers-les-Bains was affected by the German occupation and the Atlantic Wall defenses. Despite this, the town rebounded in the post-war years, restoring its villas and promenade, and preserving its legacy as a beloved coastal retreat. Today, the history of Mers-les-Bains is visible at every turn, from its Belle Époque architecture to its seaside charm, telling the story of a town shaped by travel, elegance, and resilience.

GETTING THERE

Mers-les-Bains is accessible by direct trains from Paris, with journeys taking approximately 2.5 hours. Trains depart regularly from Paris Gare du Nord, offering a comfortable ride through the scenic French countryside. If you're coming from Amiens, the train ride is shorter, around 1 hour, with frequent daily services. From Lille, the journey takes roughly 2.5 hours, typically requiring a transfer at Amiens or another nearby station. Train travel is an efficient and relaxing way to reach Mers-les-Bains, ideal for both day trips and longer stays.

Bus services connect Mers-les-Bains with neighboring towns and cities, providing a budget-friendly alternative to trains and driving. Regional bus companies operate routes linking Mers-les-Bains with places like Abbeville, Amiens, and Dieppe. Travel times and frequencies vary depending on the route and season, so it’s important to check current timetables and fares ahead of your trip. Tickets can often be purchased online or directly from the bus driver.

Driving to Mers-les-Bains offers flexibility and the chance to explore the surrounding region at your own pace. The town is well connected by highways and main roads. From Paris, the drive covers about 200 kilometers and usually takes between 2.5 and 3 hours, depending on traffic, primarily via the A16 motorway. From Amiens, it’s a much shorter 70-kilometer journey, typically about 1 hour along the N1 and D1015 roads. Travelers from Lille can expect a drive of around 180 kilometers, roughly 2 hours via the A25 and A16 highways. Parking is available in the town center, including both public lots and street parking, though spaces can fill quickly during peak season.

PRACTICAL TIPS

The best time to visit Mers-les-Bains is from April to October, when the weather is mild and the days are longer, perfect for strolling along the pebble beach, exploring the colourful Belle Époque villas, or enjoying outdoor cafés. Summer brings a lively atmosphere along the promenade and waterfront, with locals and visitors soaking up the sun. Late July features the Fête des Baigneurs, celebrating the town’s seaside heritage with music, activities, and events for all ages, while the end of August is dedicated to graffiti art on the esplanade, adding a modern cultural touch to the town.

Mers-les-Bains is ideal for a half-day to a full-day visit, giving you time to explore the town at a relaxed pace. For a longer outing, you can combine it with nearby Le Tréport or explore the wider Baie de Somme region to enjoy scenic coastal paths, wildlife, and charming villages. For more seaside inspiration, check out my posts on Le Tréport and the Baie de Somme.

Mers-les-Bains is a great starting point for coastal walks along the Sentier du Littoral. A popular route is the 4.5 km trail to the Bois de Cise, which winds along the cliffs and through woodland, offering stunning views over the English Channel. The round trip is about 9 km and typically takes around 3 hours, making it perfect for a half-day outing. For cycling enthusiasts, the “Les Mouettes” loop in Mers-les-Bains offers a scenic ride along the coast and through surrounding villages, ideal for a leisurely tour while enjoying the seaside atmosphere. Mers-les-Bains is also located on the GR®120 coastal trail, which stretches 300 km from Bray-Dunes to Le Tréport, connecting the dramatic cliffs and seaside scenery of Normandy and Picardy. 

THE BEACH

Mers-les-Bains’ beach stretches along the English Channel coastline, offering a peaceful setting for relaxing, strolling, or enjoying the sea. From May to October, around 600 white beach cabins line the shore in front of the Belle Époque villas, adding charm and a nostalgic touch. At high tide, the beach is mostly pebbles, while at low tide, sand appears, creating a broader area to explore. Lifeguards are on duty during the season, making it a safe spot for families and water activities. Beyond the beach, cliffs rise above the coastline, creating a dramatic backdrop. Together, the beach, cabins, and cliffs make Mers-les-Bains a truly scenic coastal escape.

BELLE ÉPOQUE VILLAS 

Mers-les-Bains is famous for its beautiful Belle Époque villas, which give the town its unique charm and character. With over 600 villas lining the streets, these elegant homes, classified as a Site Patrimonial Remarquable (Remarkable Heritage Site), are a key part of the town’s history. Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they were once summer retreats for wealthy Parisians, reflecting the style and luxury of the Belle Époque era. The villas’ colorful facades, intricate details, and variety of shapes make the streets feel like an open-air museum of architecture.

The villas showcase a wide range of styles, from Art Nouveau to Neoclassical, each with its own charm. Look for elaborate balconies, decorative facades, stained-glass windows, and wrought-iron details. Many villas also feature unique touches, like painted shutters or ornate rooflines, showing the personality of the families who built them. Walking past these homes, you can imagine the elegance of the time and the care invested in every detail. These details make exploring the streets a joy for both history lovers and photographers.

Many villas have been carefully restored and now serve as hotels, guesthouses, or museums, allowing visitors to experience their past grandeur firsthand. The Circuit des Villas, a self-guided walking route, highlights the most remarkable homes and viewpoints, making it easy to explore, learn their history, and take stunning photos. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of each villa and the families who once lived there, making it both an educational and visually stunning experience.

CLIFFS & CHAPELS

After visiting the villas and beach, make your way up to the cliffs for some of the best views in Mers-les-Bains. From here, you can see the town, the sea, and the nearby towns of Le Tréport and Eu. On the cliffs, Église Saint-Martin, built in the 12th century, shows off its Gothic style and beautiful stained-glass windows. Close by, the small chapel Notre-Dame de la Falaise, built in the 19th century, is a quiet spot where visitors once prayed for safe sea journeys. These two landmarks add charm to the cliffs, frame the dramatic coastline, and make great spots for sightseeing and photos.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Mers-les-Bains is a charming seaside town with colourful Belle Époque villas and a pebble beach that stretches along the coastline. From strolling along the promenade to admiring the cliff-top views, there’s plenty to see! The town’s historic architecture and relaxed atmosphere make it perfect for a leisurely day trip or a longer stay. For more coastal adventures, check out my posts on Le Tréport, just a short distance away with its harbour and cliffs, and the Baie de Somme, a stunning natural area full of wildlife and scenic beauty.

Share your stories and thoughts about Mers-les-Bains! Have you explored this coastal town? If you've already visited, we'd love to hear your comments in the section below.

Tags: France