Les Dunes du Fort Mahon
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Les Dunes du Fort Mahon
Dos d'Ane - 62231 SANGATTE
A natural barrier between two worlds
The dunes of Fort Mahon occupy a remarkable geographical position: they mark the transition between the more massive Picardy dune system to the south and the narrower, lower Flemish dune ridge to the north. Reaching only about twenty meters in height and approximately 200 meters in width, they stretch for 3 kilometers and play a vital role for the land bordering them inland, which lies between 0,5 and 1 meter below the highest tides. This natural barrier is fragile: in 1954, eleven groynes of 90 oak stakes each had to be planted to slow erosion, and sand replenishment and marram grass planting were carried out in 1993 and 1995 to reinforce the ridge. Staying on the marked trails and not crossing the fences directly contributes to preserving this delicate balance.
©Nohcab Two beaches, two atmospheres
The dune system of Fort Mahon frames two beaches with very distinct characters. On the Blériot-Plage side, Baraques beach offers a lively, family-friendly atmosphere, with its renovated beach huts, beach bar, and the feel of a popular seaside resort, a legacy of over a century of tourism. On the Sangatte side, Sangatte beach adopts a more open and natural style, geared towards wind sports and long walks facing the cliffs that herald Cap Blanc-Nez. Two entrances to the same natural space, depending on whether you're looking for a friendly atmosphere or the great outdoors.
Lawns, ponds and sea buckthorn
Beyond the first line of dunes, the landscape changes. Back-dune grasslands open up, interspersed with sea buckthorn bushes whose berries turn orange in autumn. A discovery loop has been created around two large ponds located between the Blériot-Plage campsite and the Family Holiday Village: these bodies of water provide an important habitat for amphibians and birds. The GR120, the long-distance coastal hiking trail that runs along the entire Opal Coast from the Bay of Authie to the Belgian border, crosses the site and naturally connects it to the neighboring beaches.
Follow the Via Francigena
©Nohcab 
©Nohcab Fort Rabbit, a forgotten sentinel in the dunes
Between the marram grass and the sand, the remains of Fort Lapin emerge discreetly. This outpost of Fort Nieulay was redeveloped during both World Wars, leaving its mark on the site's topography. Traces of Atlantic Wall bunkers complete this military palimpsest, which the dunes have gradually absorbed, making the interpretation of the remains all the more striking.
Fort Rabbit
©Nohcab 
