Pointe du Hourdel, Cape in Cayeux-sur-Mer, France
The Pointe du Hourdel is a low-lying cape at the southern entrance of the Baie de Somme, near Cayeux-sur-Mer in northern France. It sits alongside a small fishing harbor and is topped by a white and green lighthouse that can be seen from a good distance along the coast.
The cape has been used by fishermen and sailors for centuries as a reference point at the entrance of the Baie de Somme. A lighthouse was eventually built there to help boats navigate the shallow, tide-driven waters safely.
The small harbor near the cape is still used by local fishermen who head out in the early morning, giving the area a working, everyday feel. The white and green lighthouse at the tip has long guided boats entering the Baie de Somme and remains the most recognized landmark of the spot.
The cape is easy to reach on foot or by bike, with a cycle path leading directly to the small harbor. It is worth checking the tide times before you go, since low tide reveals wide mudflats while high tide brings the water right up to the shore.
Common seals regularly haul out on the sandbanks around the Pointe du Hourdel, often resting just a short distance from shore at low tide. This makes the spot one of the few places on the northern French coast where you can see seals in the open without any special equipment.
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