Marck is a coastal town in the Pas-de-Calais region in Hauts-de-France, east of Calais which it borders.
According to geographers, is at the town, on the edge of the Walde Lighthouse, the English Channel to the west is the North Sea to the east.
Already inhabited during the Roman times, the locality is chosen under Louis XV, during the Seven Years War, to accommodate large maneuvers meant to protect Calais and its port.
Very affected during the Second World War, the city then develops in the wake of the agglomeration in Calais.
Its vast territory of 31 square kilometers is divided into three parts: a coastal area to the north (beaches and dunes), an urban area in the middle of farmland south.
With approximately 10,800 inhabitants, Marck has, besides its beaches, many assets to attract tourists who stay in the region.
In terms of heritage, since the Second World War, Marck has only one monument that has been included in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments. This is the St. Martin's Church, rebuilt from 1961 to 1964 after the original 15th century church was dynamited in September 1944. The building was designed according to an elliptical plan drawn by the architect Maurice Suaudeau. Inside are the glass-paneled glass windows by Gabriel Loire and the choir fresco, a work by Geneviève Colladant-d'Andréis.
Another religious building can be worth a look: a chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, built in 1956 on the plans of the architect Charles Parenty. Constructed of hollow concrete, its nave is lit by simple glazed windows. Note however that a bell tower is located to the right of the porch. As for the furniture, it was recovered in the "ruins" of the old church Saint-Martin.
After a quick visit of the city, we take advantage of its coastline and the beaches of Hemmes and Huchette. Both lined with wild dunes, covered with sand, they see the sea sometimes withdrawing up to 3 km at low tide. We will then notice the unique mechanical construction of the Walde lighthouse. Its structure was made in England and set up in 1857. The lighthouse transformed a time into simple "fire" and then with solar panels in 1986 is no longer used.
The wildness of the beaches of Marck is appreciated but they are less conducive to swimming than to idleness and especially to water sports and especially to sand yachting. This is the specific activity offered by the leisure center of Hemmes, where children and adults can learn or practice this sport. A youth point also allows you to learn archery, mountain biking or orienteering. Information on +33 3 21 85 17 46.
In a different register, the Ferme des Aigrettes is housed in the building of an old farm of the nineteenth century in the heart of a wooded park of 5 hectares. The municipality rehabilitated it in House of the nature and the environment for the young people as adults. We discover the local environmental heritage (fauna and flora) while apprehending the notions of sustainable development. With its animals, it is also a place of family relaxation in a pleasant setting. Information on +33 3 21 82 71 03.
To see again on Marck, the Botanical Garden of the Beautiful Country, a private area where collections of plant species from all over the world are presented in the open air, via 20 spaces and thematic paths (conifer alley, Australian greenhouse, English garden, path exotic…). Open from April to October. Price: 9 and 12 euros. Information on +33 3 21 82 71 01.
For hiking (on foot, mountain bike or horseback) including the natural heritage and the coast of the town, documentation and information on +33 3 21 96 62 40.
The aerodrome of Calais is located on the territory of Marck, the local club offers air baptisms or aerial walks to discover the coast from the sky. Contact the +33 3 21 82 71 41.
For athletes, indoor or outdoor tennis courts, a bowling alley, a skate park, a bi-cross field are available at the Hubert-Seban complex. Inquire at +33 3 21 85 29 93. In addition, an outdoor fitness area has been developed at the Dryad complex, rue des Tourterelles.
The first Saturday of July, summer party: fun activities, concerts.
The second weekend of September, feast of Icelanders. Concerts on Saturday, flea market and exhibitions on Sunday.
As for the weekly market, on Tuesday morning, it allows to discover the richness of the soil and sea products.
