Northern France (By Train)

Tour Code: FRA33

A 7-day holiday in Nord Pas-de-Calais (northern France) focusing on the birds, butterflies and wildflowers of this exceptionally wildlife-rich region.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 1-844-433-9473.

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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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Barney Jones

Operations Manager

Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Carbon Footprint

133kg CO2e

With International Flights

132.9kg CO2e

Tour Only

What does this mean?

Highlights

Bluethroats, Spoonbills and Melodious Warblers
Forest walks for Black Woodpecker and Hawfinch
An array of butterflies and dragonflies/damselflies
Coastal walks from Cap-Gris-Nez
Single-centred holiday based at a chateau
Led by wildlife experts

Summary

The contrast between southern England and northern France is stark, so large is the obstacle of the English Channel for a number of summer migrants which we don’t have breeding here in the UK: Melodious Warbler, Kentish Plover and Bluethroat for example. The abundance of wildlife, whether it be birds, butterflies, plants or dragonflies, ensures this new ‘flightless’ holiday encapsulates a continental feel to our wildlife-viewing. As we travel short distances through myriad habitats, comprising vast forests, marshes, coastal lagoons and cereal fields, we will be surprised by how different this productive area is compared to mainland Britain.

A wonderful chateau will be our base for the 6-night duration, situated close to the coast and to the seaside town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, only 10 minutes away. The chateau gardens here will be the idyllic location for relaxing after our daily excursions and there are also treatment rooms here for those who wish to relax even further! With Paris only a short journey away, why not extend your stay in France with a visit to its vibrant capital?

Kentish Plovers, White Storks and Bluethroats are a handful of species which breed across the Channel in plentiful numbers and are encountered on the marshes and coastline with ease. In the forests, the continuous chattering of Melodious Warblers will keep us entertained as we search for the elusive Black Woodpecker, while marshes will hold Western Cattle Egrets, Spoonbills, White Storks, Black-necked Grebes and Stone Curlews. Raptors are also prolific in this region, and we hope to encounter the superb Montagu’s Harrier, a stunning bird of prey which could be encountered over the cereal fields. Goshawk is another possibility in the forests.

Map butterflies will certainly be a highlight, while in the wetlands, Dainty Damselflies, Lesser Emperors and Red-veined Darters will comprise a minor fraction of the Odonata present. A moth-trap will also be set up on a couple of evenings to diversify our wildlife sightings, this being the perfect time of year for a variety of hawk-moths.

Focus

All flora and fauna, with greater emphasis on birds and butterflies.

Outline Itinerary

Day

Train from Folkestone to Calais

Day

Visiting ancient forests

Day

Cap Gris Nez

Day

Parc de Marquenterre

Day

Explore Boulogne-sur-Mer

Day

RNN de la Baie de Canche; Dunes du Mont Saint-Frieux

Day

Train from Calais to Folkestone; arriving early afternoon

What's Included?

Food

All food is included in your holiday. Lunches will comprise picnics and cafés.

Accommodation

A single-centre holiday based at a remote chateau near Boulogne-Sur-Mer.

Documents

Itineraries

Itinerary

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Tour Reports

May 2023

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!