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Natural Monuments

Seal Colony of the Authie Bay

Natural Monuments

Seal Colony of the Authie Bay

Highlight • Natural Monument

Seal Colony of the Authie Bay

Recommended by 19 road cyclists out of 20

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc naturel marin des Estuaires picards et de la mer d'Opale

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Location: Berck, Montreuil, Hauts-De-France, France

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Best Road Cycling Rides to Seal Colony of the Authie Bay

4.1

(8)

240

riders

1. Port de la Madelon – Seal Colony of the Authie Bay loop from Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont

68.4km

03:18

120m

Intermediate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

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Intermediate

3.0

(1)

163

riders

2. Seal Colony of the Authie Bay – Stella Beach loop from Étaples - Le Touquet

44.6km

01:46

110m

Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

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Easy

4.3

(3)

riders

3. Le Touquet Lighthouse – Seal Colony of the Authie Bay loop from Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

57.1km

02:31

240m

Intermediate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

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Intermediate

Tips

Fabrice Rigalleau

July 3, 2022

Here gathers a whole colony of seals from the Bay of Authie who come to rest on the sandbank in front of the nautical base. An incredible and magical spectacle, easily accessible by road bike. 2 species live there: harbor seals (smaller) and gray seals (larger, especially the males).
The bay of Authie is an ideal space for these mammals because the sandbank brings them rest, warmth and protection and the sea offers them fish at will. The seals bask on the sandbar in order to recover and then hunt during high tide. Indeed, their favorite activity requires a lot of energy, so it is vital for them to rest and store fat in order to be ready for winter.
Furthermore, studies have shown that seals can sleep at sea with only half of their brains dormant. The left hemisphere is at rest while the right hemisphere remains awake. On the other hand, when they are on dry land, seals sleep like humans, deeper and longer. They therefore need these moments of rest on the coast to fully recover. Reason for which it is necessary to observe them by leaving them alone and especially not to frighten them.

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Elevation 10 m

Weather

Today

Monday 27 October

14°C

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Max wind speed: 36.0 km/h

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Location: Berck, Montreuil, Hauts-De-France, France

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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Baie d'Authie

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Promenade du Professeur Jean Debeyre

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Viewpoint

Vue imprenable sur les hauteurs de la digue de quend

Seal Colony of the Authie Bay

1. Port de la Madelon – Seal Colony of the Authie Bay loop from Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont

2. Seal Colony of the Authie Bay – Stella Beach loop from Étaples - Le Touquet

3. Le Touquet Lighthouse – Seal Colony of the Authie Bay loop from Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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