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A Perfect Weekend in Northern France

Writer's picture: Carlos CunhaCarlos Cunha

Updated: Dec 5, 2024


Hey barefoot walkers!


The weekend is long, 3 days to travel and we had planned to go camping in Germany. However, as the day approached the weather started to get colder, so we decided to rent a house instead. We didn't know where to go and all the flights were super expensive. Now, being in the north of Germany we don´t have contact with green and peaceful places, so Lisa looked for a house to rent for 3 days in the middle of nature or by the sea.


We chose to go to Saint-Folquin in the north of France, almost on the border with Belgium. We knew nothing about the place, just it was by the sea, had a beach and green spaces which was all we wanted to escape the city life.

Person playing with the sand in the beach, north of france
Me playing with Mia

On Saturday, we packed the car with our Decathon bags and drove for 3.5 hours until we arrived at Saint-Folquin. It was exactly what we wanted, in the middle of nowhere with a small but functional house and 7 km from the beach. Mia wanted to set up the Decathon tent in a small garden the house had to be her shelter but as night fell, we moved the tent to the living room. Yes, it's true, to the living room.


The weather wasn't the best, around 16°C with many clouds threatening to rain (it never did). As soon as we arrived, we went to Plage du Petit Fort Philippe and it was the widest beach I had ever seen. We had to walk at least 20 minutes to reach the sea. There was no one on the beach, so we stayed there playing and absorbing all the peace that the place and moment offered us.


Person writing on the beach, in France
Lisa Writing

On the second day, we explored the other side of the beach. To get there, we walked along sand and dirt trails, crossing small bridges until we reached the beach. During this walk, we passed several water reservoirs and thought they might be for birds. If you like bird photography, it's the ideal place.


This side of the beach was not as large but equally pleasant. Again, we were alone, which was perfect for recharging our energies and building sand houses and tunnels with Mia. Lisa took her book to write, inspired and connected to herself by these moments.


Just a personal opinion: if you have time, create these moments because, in the end, this is what remains. If you don't have time, find it to create these moments.


We didn't stay long on the beach as the weather started to get cold and Mia's stomach was asking for food. On the drive back to the house, we passed a park that would be our destination for the next day.

Walking barefoot to the beach, in France
Walking to the beach

On the third morning, we went to the Skatepark which had some attractions for Mia and also for us. At this park, Mia made two friends. Communication was difficult at first but once they started playing, everyone understood each other. We knew we had to check out by 3 PM and put everything back in the car. Mia was very sad to say goodbye to her new friends (when traveling, we open doors to many more opportunities to meet people) and we went home to prepare for the return to Germany.



After checking out, the idea was to go to a supermarket, buy something to eat and then go to a relaxing place for rest before the return trip. So we did but three people in a car is not very comfortable to rest, so we decided to start driving back to Germany.


The beginning of the trip was annoying with a lot of traffic however we were always in a good mood. We stopped halfway to eat at McDonald's (it's rare that we go to such places but it was the most practical at the time), and finally we arrived home.


Casper (the cat) was there to welcome us.

That was our 3 days mini-trip to recharge our energies.


Next week, the real trip begins with the caravan.

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Carlos


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