First overseas family flying adventure – The Whites say bonjour to Le Touquet

Flying the boys to Le Touquet for a weekend was a trip we planned during lockdown, something to focus on for better days to come and finally the stars aligned this Summer and we spent a wonderful weekend exploring petit Paris-by-the-sea.

Le Touquet is a destination that Paul has flown to MANY times, so organising all the relevant paperwork and submitting the flight plan was very much his area (please get in touch if you need help with this). Meanwhile, I focused on how on earth I would pack for the weekend in just one small bag! This baggage allowance made Ryanair look generous. Rucksacks filled, sunglasses on, we bid farewell to the dog (Fly) and headed down the heli. As we were crossing water we had to wear life jackets so wearing shorts rather than skirt had been a good move. All aboard it was time to go.

It was a glorious July day and perfect for flying… warm not hot with zero chop. The R44 lends itself well to a sightseeing journey with a great view from every seat… just as well as I was riding with Sebastian in the back. Down through Stansted then on to Southend there was much excitement and posing for pics on our first foreign flying adventure. Across The Thames we headed to Folkstone and the shortest route possible across the channel from there to Cap Griz Nez. It is an odd feeling to ‘drop off’ the land and that’s it you are over the sea, usually by the time you are over water in an airliner you are significantly higher! A little reassurance for the boys that all was well and that it was unlikely the channel was infested with sharks. We did plenty of ship-spotting, quite incredible how busy that small stretch of water is. Drones now patrol the channel, so if you are flying to France be aware and stay well clear. In no time at all we said “Bonjour” to France.

The French coast is, unsurprisingly, similar to the south of England but there are plenty of reminders of how much conflict this area has suffered. Pillboxes and battlements punctuate the landscape, huge craters and damage to the cliffs sculpt the shoreline. The most notable of course is Etaples Cemetery which is the final resting place for over 10,000 soldiers.

Along to Boulogne and the extensive mussel farm before heading inland to Aeroport Le Touquet Cote d’Opale (soon to be renamed in our late majesty’s honour Le Touquet Paris Plage Queen Elizabeth).

On our approach we were held for a fixed wing which we ended up taxiing behind…. I must say it was particularly SLOW… The airport has a large apron and lots of room for helis right outside the main hangar superb photo opp here. High Vis on it was off to passport control.

If you’ve never been to Le Touquet airport then you are in for a real treat. Well versed with UK flyers, passport control is a hassle-free operation. Back in July, covid passes were still required to enter France (not that they asked to see them) but double check before you travel what is required. Passports stamped we headed to the main reception to book in the heli in overnight. The arrivals/departure is full of aviation memorabilia and merchandise and a LOT of bicycles! With luggage in tow we declined the bike hire in hope of catching the bus… turns out it only runs hourly and we had just missed it! So map in hand it was a stroll to the hotel.

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Le Touquet. As we were ‘en famille’ we stayed at The Holiday Inn Resort, very reasonable room rate with great facilities including a pool, games area, fantastic restaurant and super helpful staff especially deciphering our attempts at speaking French! Bags in the room a couple of hours early and a quick freshen up, we headed down to the town.

We chose to take a walk and stopped at the park for a picnic. There is so much to take in… bandstands, sculptures, random Porsche showrooms on a roaundabout. The 1930s architecture has Disneyland-like quality but you can see how expansion in the 60/70s has had an impact especially along the beach where they stand out from the crowd. The centre boasts a wealth of shopping, casinos, restaurants galore and all the usual beachfront must haves, including a double decker carousel. Cycling is very much the transport of choice but there is a regular bus and land train for those not so keen on two wheels.

Time to pick up our beach-fun bounty and we spent a wonderful afternoon paddling, digging, castle building and playing several hundred games of beach tennis! A wash off at the taps and a visit to the  ice-cream van before hopping on the land train to take a tour of the town…. By the way, if you manage to catch the drivers eye (it took a few goes) you can jump off wherever suits.

We had a quick dip in the hotel pool before dinner, both of which were fantastic. Delicious a la carte menu in a stunning circular dining room with indoor trees lit with fairy lights. After dinner we walked back into the town

Le Touquet is beautiful at night. For those travelling sans children there is plenty of nightlife; there were people queuing for clubs, restaurants with packed tables spilling out on the street. The boys however had their sights set on the carousel then to a family friendly cocktail bar with an amazing fish tank which kept them entertained.

At 10pm and 17,000 steps it was time for us weary travellers to wander back to the hotel and make plans for tomorrow.

On Sunday the weather had turned a little so there was a little rejigging on flight plan required. As we are flying from a private site it’s important that you arrive on time in case border force choose to meet you and check all is well and you’re not smuggling illegal items or at worst people into the country. Updated plans filed, it was down to breakfast which was vast! From crepes to croissants, baguettes to bacon, cheese, yoghurts… and the fruit WOW there were 6 types of melon alone – and all you can eat… if anyone knows Paul that is a like a gauntlet being laid down. Note to self however no decaf tea or coffee. On the way out we called into the games area, who knew Paul was such a pinball wizard?! But a go on the foosball table just about had us even.

The boys (including Paul) were keen to make use of the pool again but I opted to go pack. Check out done, luggage stowed at the hotel it was back into town in search of the ‘pedalas’ as Sebastian called them. Pedalas or Quadricycles were much coveted the day before and the search for the hire shop began… but not before we decked ourselves out in matching ‘Le Touquet’ hoodies from X Maille Femme & Homme, packing light hadn’t allowed for quite such a surprise drop in temperature… especially down by the sea. Hire shop located and a small tussle over who got the steering wheel and we pedalled around the town which was jolly good fun – a definite recommendation.

Pedala returned we went to an Elstree Helicopters favourite for lunch – Le Matisse! Paul checked the weather and decided that we should head home a little sooner as weather was due to close in slightly earlier than expected. Bags collected and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger it was time to “Get to the chopper!”

We arrived at the airport and were greeted by a large crowd of pilots and passengers staring out of the window… A World War II plane had had issue with its undercarriage and was blocking the runway… for several hours. Now there have been many times that Paul has been glad to be a helicopter pilot and this was no exception! We paid up our landing fees and headed through passport control much to the growing queue of fixed wing pilots disgust… and there was a little tutting and rolling of eyes as they saw us heading for HERZ…

“Where we’re going we don’t need runways” says Paul

Checks done, a final look at the weather and we were away. The journey back wasn’t as clear as on the way and by the time we reached Cap Griz Nez both the boys had fallen asleep! By the time we got halfway across the clouds cleared and the blue sky and sun returned just in time for us to see the white cliffs in all their glory… we were back in Blighty. We did however have a bit of a headwind which was extending our flight time somewhat and with no fuel available at Le Touquet it was time for Paul to recalculate our revised eta and of course FUEL!

To save some time and fuel it was Zone Transit request central.. first at Southend who, to be blunt, weren’t very accommodating. But Stansted were so helpful and I heard a new request from the ATC… “Can we have your best speed” which Paul said loosely translated to “Put your foot down” as there was a Ryanair 737 in the circuit but we were well clear by the time he made his approach.

Landing back home, Paul got a call from border force to confirm all is well and presumably that we hadn’t been doing anything we shouldn’t… I think the sound of the kids in the background were enough to satisfy them. It’s worth noting that in 2023 private sites will have to be authorised and registered with them.

It’s quite incredible really to think you can fly yourself to another country. Transport – First Class! From home to Le Touquet was just over an hour, no baggage check, airport delays (although I must say the inflight catering left a little to be desired), views incredible and the feeling flying across the channel was AWESOME! Destination – Perfect! Location was spot on for a family trip but would be equally good for just grown ups. It’s super friendly, lots to do, delicious food (and drink) and plenty of options for travel and places to stay.

If you would like help planning a trip with your family or are interested in joining one of our student trips then get in touch