The best running trails around Oye-Plage

An impressive stone monument with a large cross, located on the edge of the shipping channel of Grand-Fort-Philippe, near Gravelines. The calvary was built in 1947 to protect the fishermen and in memory of those who were lost at sea. Under the stone arch is a small chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary and memorial plaques. Every year on August 15th, the place really comes to life: after the procession through the streets, the traditional boat parade stops here for the blessing of the sea. A quiet, atmospheric place to pause and reflect on the difficult fishing history of this coast, with a view of the channel and the sea. Feel free to combine it with a visit to the Musée du Sauvetage in the village.

A covered bird hide with a view over the reserve's ponds, ideal for quietly observing birds without disturbing them. Inside, there are large, clear identification charts to help you recognize what you see, including which months each species winters, migrates, or breeds here. On the ponds, you can see all kinds of ducks: dabbling ducks like the common teal, Eurasian wigeon, northern shoveler, gadwall, northern pintail, and common shelduck, and diving ducks like the tufted duck, common pochard, and common goldeneye. Along the banks, waders forage, such as the pied avocet, common redshank, Eurasian oystercatcher, northern lapwing, Eurasian curlew, and bar-tailed godwit. You can also encounter grey herons, little egrets, Eurasian spoonbills, great cormorants, greylag geese, and various gull species. Bring binoculars and give yourself time: the longer you sit still, the more there is to see. Especially during migration periods and in winter, the water is bustling with activity.

This information board shows nicely how the coast here is constantly changing. Where the “plage du Casino” used to be, a regular sandy beach, the area is gradually silting up. Sea currents and wind bring sand and silt, sandbanks form off the coast, and the former beach becomes overgrown. This is how it changes step by step into a salt marsh and polder-like landscape. Old and recent photos on the board make the difference clearly visible. The board also introduces the breeding birds of the high beach, such as plovers and terns, which depend on exactly such a quiet, open beach. From here you look out over the dunes and the reserve towards the sea. A nice stop to understand why the Platier d’Oye is such a special and dynamic nature reserve.

Beautiful protected nature reserve on the Opal Coast, between Oye-Plage and Grand-Fort-Philippe, managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral. Here, dunes, beach, salt marshes, ponds, and polders alternate, making it a top spot for birdwatchers. With a bit of luck, you can spot the pied avocet, little tern, Eurasian stone-curlew, common teal, or northern lapwing. Sea buckthorn grows abundantly in the dunes. A short loop trail starts at the parking lot along the ponds, and via the dune crossing, you can easily reach the wide beach. Definitely bring binoculars! The area is fragile, so stay on the paths and leave dogs at home or on a leash.

In the Netherlands called salt marshes or salt marshes

The nature reserve offers various possibilities. The beach, the dunes and beautiful, long boardwalks. Occasionally information boards and a number of bird huts. On the beach many coastal poles and the bunkers of Escardines.

Many coastal poles were planted in the beach. They give the beach a beautiful stamp. They are there to stabilize the dunes and the coast and to protect them from erosion. The poles help to maintain the dune structure and prevent them from being washed away by the wind and the water. They play an important role in the preservation of the natural environment and the protection of the coastal areas.

The Réserve Naturelle Nationale du Platier d'Oye is a magnificent nature reserve located near Dunkirk. This reserve covers an area of 391 hectares and offers a unique ecosystem with a rich biodiversity. Here you can discover 230 species of birds, 20 species of mammals and 361 species of flowers and plants. It is an important stopover for migratory birds along the coast of the Manche and the North Sea. There are three marked hiking trails through the dunes and wetlands, which are popular with botanists, birdwatchers and regular walkers. The reserve is always open and offers a wonderful place to explore nature and enjoy the peace and beauty of the area.