This is one of France’s oldest seaside resorts and the prime location to sample a traditional seafood stew or crack into some fresh mussels at one of the many quayside restaurants. Or if you fancy firing up the barbecue, buy some fresh fish to take back to your accommodation and serve with some grilled corn on the cob.

Regarded as the most important fishing port in France, lunch in Boulogne must include the catch of the day. After fresh and juicy fish at the ferry terminus, you will find that Boulogne hides a historic beauty within the Ville Haute (Upper City) a superbly preserved citadel perched above the rest of the town. It’s worth a trip up to enjoy spectacular views.

Step back in time at St Valéry-sur-Somme, a medieval port that is best explored on foot or bicycle. Weave through narrow cobbled streets and stop to grab some holiday snaps of the brightly painted fishermen’s cottages. Or settle down for dinner at one of the restaurants that line the harbour.

Amiens is the capital of Picardy and home to the spectacular gothic Cathédral Notre-Dame. This magnificent Gothic structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see. Other top attractions of Amiens include the ancient St-Leu Quarter with its bars and restaurants alongside the Somme River.

Rub shoulders with the most fashionable Parisian holidaymakers at the sophisticated seaside resort of Le Touquet. This Victorian resort offers a bustling boardwalk and enough beaches to keep you occupied. Hedge your bets at Le Touquet’s casino or a racecourse; set sail across its yachting harbour or take the whole family to Aqualud, a seafront waterpark.