Your cycling trip along the highest white limestone cliffs in Europe draws to an end as the Vélomaritime leads you along the last portion of eastern Normandy's Côte d'Albâtre stretch of coast, with typical steep little valleys, or valleuses, cutting through to the sea up to Le Tréport. This resort's charms, including its multicoloured villas and lively fishing port, will encourage you to stop for a well-deserved rest.

After enjoying a last look at Mers-les-Bains's cliffs and Belle Epoque villas, the Vélomaritime leads you away from the coast to Bourseville. Do stray off the cycle route if you wish to stop at Le Bois de Cise or Ault, resorts that recall the Art Deco period and its fashion for sea-bathing. Up to Cayeux-sur-Mer, you then cycle through the Hable d'Ault, a long-established lagoon protected from the sea by a pebble bank and today a haven for many species of birds.

Cayeux-sur-Mer marks the start of your exploration of the Bay of the Somme. By way of introduction, stop at the Pointe du Hourdel and visit the Maison de la Baie de Somme here to learn about the many facets of the Somme Estuary. Scanning the horizon, you may be lucky enough to spot seals. Next, you ride along La Route Blanche, close to the sea, the dunes and stretches of pebbles, before a greenway provides an easy path to the centre of the resort of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, with its lively port and fishermen's cottages overseen by the medieval hilltop quarter. At this resort, it is possible to board the tourist train of the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, along with your bike, avoiding the cycle lane that runs beside the road up to Noyelles-sur-Mer. Finally, you reach Le Crotoy, a resort boasting unbeatable views over the Bay of the Somme.

On this Vélomaritime stage, you ride from the Bay of the Somme to the Bay of Authie. Leaving Le Crotoy, enjoy this resort's lovely views over the Somme Estuary before cycling around to the Parc du Marquenterre, a fabulous place for bird-watching, set in the heart of the Réserve Naturelle de la Baie de Somme. This stage then takes you beside northern Europe's largest range of sand dunes, rising between Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont and Quend Plage. Finally, skirt around the Bay of Authie to reach the resort of Berck-sur-Mer, with its vast, 12km-long beach made of fine sand. Time to consider replacing your bike with a sandyacht!

Enjoy a last look at the ballet of kites and sandyachts flitting across Berck's vast beach before continuing along the Vélomaritime towards the famed seaside resort of Le Touquet. More formally entitled Touquet-Paris-Plage, the place is stylish and elegant, characterized by wooded avenues, remarkable villas and many cycle paths. But before reaching Le Touquet, there are further delightful seaside resorts to explore such as Stella-Plage and Merlimont-Plage.

The Vélomaritime takes you round the Bay of the Canche via Étaples, a port with the largest British military cemetery in France. Then you ride beside Mont Saint-Frieux Nature Reserve. For a lunchtime rest, choose either to head back to the coast, following the link to the resort of Hardelot, nestled between sea and forest, or to stop at the Château d'Hardelot, with its cycling facilities, a place to grab a bite, plus the castle to visit. Finally comes Boulogne-sur-Mer, France's leading fishing port, designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire for its cultural riches. Beside the main town beach, Nausicaá, boasting Europe's largest aquarium, is a sealife centre that transports you deep into the world's oceans!

After Boulogne-sur-mer, La Vélomaritime takes you to the Grand Site de France des Deux-Caps. In Wimereux, admire the colorful Anglo-Norman style villas. Before reaching Cap Gris-Nez, the closest point to England, plan a stop at the Maison du Site des Deux Caps in Audinghen, a must for the discovery of this exceptional site. Take advantage of the magnificent viewpoints on the Cap Blanc Nez and the Bay of Wissant. Calais is worth the detour, take advantage of being on a bike to visit the city and discover the belfry of the Town Hall, the City of Lace or for an unusual trip on the back of the Dragon!