Holiday rental near Étaples-sur-Mer: the coast's real fishing port
Far from neighbouring Le Touquet's glamour, Étaples keeps it authentic: the fish auction, Maréis, the Canche bay and the day's landed catch. Visit by day and sleep by the sea in Le Portel.
By the Blueportel team — hosts in Le Portel · Updated on · 11 min read
Looking for a holiday rental near Étaples-sur-Mer? Thirty-five minutes up the coast, our Blueportel mobile homes overlook the Channel from the Le Portel cliff — ideal for visiting this authentic fishing port and sleeping facing the sea, without neighbouring Le Touquet's prices.
Étaples is the down-to-earth flip side of Le Touquet: a working fishing port on the Canche estuary, where you buy the day's landed catch. A day in Étaples, a sunset in Le Portel: the right balance.
Things to do in Étaples-sur-Mer
Start with the fishing port and the auction: Étaples remains one of the coast's working ports, and the fresh-fish stalls on the quay are worth the trip. Right next door, Maréis brings the Boulonnais fisherman's trade to life — a great visit with children, and indoors on grey days.
Then take in the Canche bay, a nature reserve where you can watch birds and, at low tide, sometimes seals facing Le Touquet. History lovers should visit the Étaples Military Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in France, a moving testament to the First World War.
Why stay in Le Portel to visit Étaples-sur-Mer
Le Portel enjoys a rare central position on the Opal Coast: right next to Boulogne-sur-Mer and the Nausicaá aquarium, halfway between the Two Capes Grand Site to the north and Le Touquet to the south. From our mobile homes on the clifftop of Le Phare d'Opale campsite, Étaples-sur-Mer is a 35-minute drive — and when you return, you get the quiet of a gated campsite, Le Portel beach a few hundred metres away and the sunset over the Channel from your own terrace.
Staying in Le Portel rather than at the destination itself is also a matter of budget and availability: accommodation at the tourist hotspots is noticeably pricier and fills up early in the season, while from here you can reach every destination on the coast without moving base. Le Portel is also ideally placed for British visitors: 35 minutes from the Eurotunnel terminal at Coquelles and 40 minutes from the Calais ferries.
Your sea-view mobile homes 35 minutes from Étaples-sur-Mer
Blueportel offers two fully equipped residential mobile homes at Le Phare d'Opale campsite, on top of the Le Portel cliff, with panoramic views over the Channel:
- [Blueportel Prestige](/pages/prestige) — sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 12 m² covered terrace facing the sea, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen (dishwasher, oven, hobs), private parking.
- [Blueportel Horizon](/pages/horizon) — sleeps 4, 2 bedrooms, the cosy option for a couple or small family, with the same seafront location.
- Both include wifi, quality bedding, board games and a personal welcome from your hosts Michel and Véronique — Booking guests rate the location 9.5/10 and value for money 9.8/10.
Book your stay near Étaples-sur-Mer
Availability can be checked online in real time and seasonal rates are here. Booking direct means no platform service fees, plus personalised tips before your stay: tide times, itineraries and our favourite spots around Étaples-sur-Mer. Any questions? The contact page usually gets a reply within the day.
Still weighing up accommodation types? Our hotel / Airbnb / mobile home comparison puts numbers on the options, and our complete Opal Coast guide covers 25 highlights with ready-made itineraries.
Stay facing the sea in Le Portel
Blueportel offers two fully equipped mobile homes at Le Phare d'Opale campsite, on the clifftop of Le Portel: panoramic sea view, covered terrace, 10 minutes from Nausicaá and at the heart of the Opal Coast.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Étaples-sur-Mer from Le Portel?
Étaples is about 38 km south of Le Portel, a 35-minute drive on the D940 coast road via Equihen and Hardelot. You visit the port by day and return to sleep facing the sea in the evening.
Étaples or Le Touquet to stay?
Étaples is more authentic and affordable, Le Touquet more upmarket and pricey. For the best view-to-budget ratio, many travellers sleep in Le Portel (sea view, €80-140 a night) and visit both by day.
How far is Étaples-sur-Mer from the Blueportel mobile homes?
About 38 km — a 35-minute drive from Le Phare d'Opale campsite in Le Portel. Le Portel's central position lets you combine Étaples-sur-Mer, the Nausicaá aquarium (10 minutes) and the rest of the Opal Coast in the same day.
Can I book for just a weekend?
Yes, Blueportel mobile homes can be booked from 2 nights, all year round. Availability is shown online in real time, and booking direct avoids platform service fees.
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