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Voykit pocket guide · France
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Spend a half‑day in Boulogne-sur-Mer: explore the Old Town and the Nausicaa aquarium, then head back; one night optional.
Boulogne-sur-Mer is a historic port on the Côte d'Opale with a compact Old Town, a large aquarium, and a beach. Most sights fit into a half‑day; a night is only for a relaxed pace.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, limited opening hours)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €45–70 excl. bed · Mid €70–120 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire 18 · Medical 15
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €1–2 |
| Fish & chips (local style) | €8–12 |
| Bus ticket | €1.50–2.00 |
| Museum entry (castle) | €5–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CFU · Calais–Dunkerque Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Boulogne‑Ville → Calais train
- about €12, 30 min (check)
- Boulogne‑Ville → Le Touquet bus
- about €5, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk the compact Old Town (≈15 min). Buses link the New Town and beaches; taxis available. Parking at the riverside in the New Town.
See and do
Known for
- 13th‑century castle museum
- Nausicaa aquarium
- Basilica of Notre‑Dame de Boulogne
- Channel‑coast beaches
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Le Touquet | Drive D940 south, about 30 min | ≈45 min |
| Calais | Train from Boulogne‑Ville, 30 min | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Ibis Boulogne-sur-Mer Centre
- City‑centre, close to station; good for one night.
- Youth hostel (Auberge de jeunesse)
- Opposite the main station, €16 per night, year‑round.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moi / Pardonexküzé mwa / pardón |
| Thank you | Mercimehr-see |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?say kohm-byen |
| Where is the bathroom? | Où sont les toilettes ?oo sohn lay twah-let |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Beach crowds shift to Equihen, Le Portel and Hardelot in high season.
- Check aquarium opening hours in winter (may close).
Generally safe; stay alert on busy beaches and keep belongings secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Boulogne-sur-Mer yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- 13th‑century castle museum
- Nausicaa aquarium
- Basilica of Notre‑Dame de Boulogne
- Channel‑coast beaches
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Boulogne-sur-Mer, revision 5328152 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5328152
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/boulogne-sur-mer). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.