Gravelines - La Rives de l’Aa

Gravelines is a great place to visit in low season. If you enjoy taking bracing seaside walks wrapped up against the elements, punctuated by leisurely lunches and a bit of shopping and sightseeing this might be the place for you.

You'll find it on the coast squeezed in between Calais to the south and Belgium to the north, it's a short drive from the channel ports. Gravelines is the town that gives its name to the district, other adjacent areas include: Bourbourg, Craywick, Grand-Fort-Philippe, Loon-Plage, Oye-Plage and Saint-Georges-sur-l’Aa; together collectively known as Rives de l’Aa.

Activities include many of the usual seaside distractions (beaches, sailing, fishing, water sports). You can also visit the Graphic Arts Museum, Platier d’Oye Nature Reserve as well as the Withof Manor, the last remains of the abbey and the old prison. As you would expect some facilities are not available during the low season. There is also a Christmas Market between 17 and 24 December.

If you're looking for somewhere to eat in the town we can recommend Restaurant La Tour Le Beffroi which is part of the Best Western Hotel at 2, Place Charles Valentin. The menu changes regularly but if you get the chance try the Salmon Blinis or half a dozen Oléron Oysters as a starter with Lamb and Shallots or Skate with Lemon, Butter and Capers to follow. For the more ambitious ask about the Seafood Platter which includes: oysters, crab, langoustines, whelks, shrimp, winkles, lobster crayfish and prawns. A double room at the Hotel costs from around €80 a night in low season.

Hotel website: www.hoteldubeffroi.com
Local tourism website: www.tourisme.fr/tourist-office/gravelines.htm

Gravelines - La Rives de l’Aa

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