Originally a small hamlet of 10 families in 1810, it was the arrival of the first train on the Paris-Calais line to at  Wimille-Wimereux in 1867 which signalled the beginnings of the significant growth  of this community. By 1914, Wimereux had 50 Hotels and Pensions and 800 Villas. At the end of the war the development continued right up to 1920. In the 30’s the English clientele fell off but they were replaced by the locals who had come to love this delightful resort.

Although the Casino and many of the hotels and villas were destroyed in the Second World War, the reconstruction of  Wimereux, slowly took place and the construction of its magnificent ‘Dig Espace’, featuring exhibitions of paintings by local artists, on the promenade in 1927 represented the highlight of these developments.

For the best cheese and wine, visit Mr Penez at Ma Normandie at rue Carnot, the main street - tel 03 21 32 45 71.

For 'encadrements' and small interior design pieces go to Sous le Sable at 30 rue Carnot - tel 03 21 91 65 09 

The many activities on offer include swimming, sailing, sand yachting, windsurfing, horse riding, walking, tennis ( five covered courts and four other courts)  and an 18 hole golf course which is one of the oldest in the region and where you can see the white cliffs of Dover on a clear day, although on a windy day, a stiff breeze can apparently make the going a trifle rough. You can also eat very well at the mini golf course just on the way out of town. Wimereux is known as a ‘kid station’ which is to say, one which is especially safe for children.

Tourist Office, Quai Alfred Giard, BP 33, 62930.

Tel 0033 (0)3 21 83 27 17 /Fax 0033 (0)3 21 32 76 91. 
www.ville-wimereux.fr

Copyright text : Sarah Francis 2007

Wimereux Dune image Copyright: dunesDuGolf

See more images of Wimereux - Copyright Photographs  : Mincoin.com and Informationfrance