Shopping in Le Touquet Paris-Plage a small but very chic seaside resort on the Opal Coast of Pas-de-Calais – less than an hour’s drive from the Calais Port.
Much loved by British tourists who can nip across the channel for their French fix, and by neighbouring Belgians who appreciate the chicness of le Touquet as well as Parisians who can be here at the coast on the edge of the country in just a couple of hours by train or car.
It easy to see why so many people flock here year after year – there’s plenty to do in Le Touquet, sports, arts and entertainment and shopping!
Le Touquet Marché (Market)
An authentic and very stylish French market takes place here each Thursday and Saturday morning and in peak summer holiday season on a Monday as well – and let’s face it – who doesn’t like a fabulous French market!
Located just off the central Rue de Metz you’ll find lots of stalls packed with goodies from gorgeous wicker baskets and household items to recycled stock from upmarket Parisian hotels – chefs jackets and aprons, tablecloths and serviettes of the most amazing quality; clothing, shoes and accessories.
The highlight of the market though is the art deco covered area – built in 1927, this semi-circle area with its fixed mosaic tiled stalls is an architectural treasure and a listed building.
Inside the stalls are piled with fresh local produce – fruit, vegetables, bread and cakes, chocolates and cheese and an amazing fish section with its fresh produce and crates of oysters, tank of lobsters and sacks of gleaming mussels to tempt you. You’ll find that this is where the locals shop and the Parisians who crowd here for getaways in their weekend villas.
You will find specialist stalls for cheese such as Fort d’Ambleteuse a tangy cheese with an orange rind from a nearby village; garlic – in bunches, on ropes, white or purple, plain or smoked, saussisson sec of different varieties, shapes and sizes. From further afield stalls sell olives with coriander and garlic, herbs that fill the air with wonderful scents and even a Vietnamese food stall.
Many of the stall holders speak a little English as this place is so popular with Brits and they love to help. Now, all this is guaranteed to give you an appetite and that’s not a problem as there are hundreds of places to eat in Le Touquet from haut cuisine to pavement cafés where you can sit and watch the world go by or try a pizza at Au Bureau on Rue de Londres where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt go when they are in Le Touquet.
Le Touquet Magasins (Shops)
After the market there are plenty more opportunities to shop in the town with all sorts of wonderful and chic shops from chocolate to interior design.
Chocolate – there are several chocolate shops in the town – all of them gorgeous. Chocolaterie de Beussent in the main Rue st Jean is the retail outlet for a small local chocolate factory where in summer months you can take a tour and try a tasting! Marshmallow lovers will go gaga for Arts Gourmands at 80 Rue de Metz. Artisan Serge Leveau creates the most amazing marshmallow sculptures and Guimauves, bars of gooey marshmallow covered in chocolate and he has huge glass jars of flavoured sweets and coloured sugars – irresistible. Much loved by locals and visitors alike is Au Chat Bleu which celebrated its centenary in 2012 and is considered by many to be THE chocolate shop of choice.
China – Le Marché de la Porcelaine is a discount white china shop on the corner of the market square. You can buy classic tableware at budget prices here – the goods are piled up in two big rooms – wander round and feast your eyes – from plates to giant soup tureens.
Patisseries – there are several wonderful patisseries and boulangeries and the window displays are beautiful to see lit by chandeliers and laid out like precious jewels in a cabinet. Try Boulangerie Fred in Rue de Metz or La Croissantine on Avenue Louis Hubert where the delicious aroma of freshly cooked bread fills the air – resist if you can!
Fashion – There’s plenty to choose from here – chic boutiques stocking high end branded fashion from names such as Donna Karan, Hackett London and Chanel to less pricey but stylish French fashion and accessories. Lingerie shops, shoe shops with beautifully made leather boots and shoes – you could certainly come to Le Touquet with an empty suit case and return home with it happily filled with French fashion – Just work your way down the main Rue St Jean and the streets to either side.
Interior design and home products – there are antique shops and interior design shops galore. Try Achat Designs at Boulevard Daloz – an amazing collection of chairs, table and outdoor lamps are displayed in their courtyard and inside a great and not expensive range of furniture; or At Home in Rue de Londres where you can browse and enjoy the wonderful lamps, furniture, paintings and eclectic collection of home accessories and ask for advice on colour and style.
Le Touquet Christmas Market
Every year the town of Le Touquet puts on a splendid light display and a fabulous Christmas market. The whole town is turned into a Christmas wonderland with a wonderful fairy tale feel, an ice rink and the scent of mulled wine filling the air. The shop window displays rival those of Paris as this charming seaside resort pulls out all the stops to celebrate Noël in style. See our Le Touquet Christmas Market feature for lots more information.
We hope you enjoy your shopping in Le Touquet and make the most of what those in the know call bon chic, bon genre.
