Montreuil-sur-Mer in Pas-de-Calais is probably one of the most beautiful towns on the Opal Coast. It welcomes visitors in a very pretty, flowery and picturesque setting. Explore the side streets and alleyways, like the famous Rue du Clape-en-Bas, to discover low-lying houses typical of the 18th century, or Cavée Saint-Firmin, a very steep street.
The upper town is surrounded by 3 kilometres of perfectly preserved ramparts, which you can walk along. Inside stands a citadel from the 16th century, built on the former site of a royal castle and later remodelled by Vauban. Every summer, it hosts a sound and light show that immerses spectators in the world of one of Victor Hugo's most famous works: Les Misérables. Following his visit in 1837, Montreuil-sur-Mer inspired the writer to make it the home of protagonist Jean Valjean, going by the name of Monsieur Madeleine.
The town has other interesting monuments such as the Hôtel-Dieu (former hospital for the poor) and its Flamboyant Gothic chapel, the 12th-century Abbey Church of St. Salvius and some 18th-century mansions. Located in the citadel, the Roger Rodière Museum exhibits works of sacred art, including goldsmithery, sculptures and paintings.
Overlooking the Canche valley, Montreuil-sur-Mer offers the eyes of vast panoramas of the hills of Ponthieu and horizons of the Opal Coast. From this privileged geographical position, the city has inherited his vocation stronghold.
Dominated by the fortress and surrounded by 3 km of ramparts, the city was called rightly the "Carcassonne of the North". Her beautiful dress embraces stone churches, chapels, mansions, picturesque streets... Civil, religious or military from the Middle Ages to today, its monuments glad you colorful history of Montreuil-sur-Mer.
Not to be missed: the street Clape-en-Bas, picturesque cobbled street, with its unusual and old houses built of mud. These houses are now shops, occupied by artisans: Murano glass spinner to the torch flame, glass engraver. Demonstrations of skills on site, in the afternoon. Down the street you will see the chapel of the orphanage (sandstone, chalk).
There is hardly a week without there being from April to October a demonstration. Whether for heritage days, exhibitions, concerts, conferences or sports, you will be won over by the friendliness and the special atmosphere that reigns there.
You will also be surprised by the originality and the affluence of the great events that punctuate the summer season.
From September to June, find at the theater of Montreuil-sur-Mer or elsewhere in Montreuillois the cultural season. This original event offers meetings of small forms of live shows.
Sound and Light Show "Les Miserables": late July-early August. In 1837, Victor Hugo undertook a trip to Belgium and the North of France. On the way back to Paris, he travels the Opal Coast and stops at Montreuil-sur-Mer on September 4, 1837. A few years later, it is in this city that he will locate most of the first part of the novel "Les Miserables". To honor him, more than 400 volunteers present each summer since 1996 a sound and light show. History and dreams overlap, reality and fiction mingle in the mysterious setting of the citadel... Booking +33 3 21 06 72 45.
Festival "Les Malins Plaisirs" in August. Shows, songs and music in the French style at Montreuil-sur-Mer, in its theater, in its mansions and marquees, in its streets, in its restaurants, in its pubs, and even in the surrounding communes! Founded in 1989, the company Les Malins Plaisirs has been enchanting for nearly thirty years Montreuil-sur-Mer and its surroundings. Let yourself be seduced by these festivities, you will not regret it!
Crossed by the famous National Highway 1 and cut by valleys of Canche of Race and Authie the Montreuillois shells harmoniously a variety of landscapes that invite you to stroll and outdoor recreation. In these landscapes, emerging many picturesque villages, carefully flowered and often preserved architecture. With family or friends, head of the twenty common Montreuillois where you expect a rich history, heritage and identity of good places to warm.
From the ramparts of Montreuil-sur-Mer, take the time to go up the valley of the Race, undoubtedly one of the prettiest of the Pas-de-Calais. Paradise for trout fishermen, country of watercress beds and ponds, the race winds through meadows and passes through many picturesque villages lovingly flower. The reputation and charm of this valley are also from his heritage: castles or mansions, churches and mills, houses or farms in low mud... Take advantage of the animations of the valley.
Every Friday in July and August, "farmers markets nocturnal" offer you many genuine products from the soil, or "the weekend of August 15" in which homes and churches are lit for your enjoyment.
Conquer Montreuillois thousand and one ways. A walk backpack, on marked routes or riding time great rides, explore the bottom of Montreuillois in height. You prefer cycling? Take then secure one of four cyclotouristic loops arranged carefully. In addition, information signs or directional, guidebook and quiet roads make comfortable your progress. Thrill seekers, race down mountain bike routes more sports (sheets available on request at the Tourist Office +33 3 21 90 54 00).
