Discover the Enchanting Somme Bay: A Guide to Coastal Hiking, Foraging, and Our Unique Sea Plant Pesto Recipe

Bonjour, friends! Alix here, bringing you tales from a truly magical corner of France. Just a week ago, my partner Hugo and I, along with his wonderful family, immersed ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Somme Bay. This isn’t just any coastal escape; it’s a place where family bonds strengthen over shared meals, laughter echoes across vast landscapes, and every moment is a beautiful memory in the making. The Somme Bay, a magnificent 14-kilometer stretch of water, nestles gracefully within the historic Picardy region of France. It holds a special place in our hearts, as Hugo grew up merely 20 kilometers away in the charming town of Friaucourt.

Our family reunions in this area are always filled with joy, as we delve into everything this vibrant region has to offer. During our last visit, we stumbled upon an intriguing local secret: the possibility of hiking directly across the bay at low tide, guided by an expert. None of us had ever heard of such an adventure, and the idea immediately sparked our collective imagination. It sounded like an incredible experience, a chance to connect with nature and each other in a profoundly unique way. So, without hesitation, we decided to embark on this bay-crossing journey as a family. It was an absolute highlight of our trip, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting this gorgeous, often-underrated, part of France!

It was amidst this remarkable trek, surrounded by the bay’s natural bounty, that the seed for our unique sea plant pesto recipe was planted.

The Enduring Allure of Somme Bay: A Culinary and Artistic Haven

The Somme Bay is renowned for a multitude of reasons, making it far more than just a beautiful stretch of coastline. For gastronomes, it’s nothing short of a paradise. The unique ecosystem of the bay fosters an incredible abundance of edible sea plants, succulent sea snails, and tiny, incredibly flavorful mini shrimp. But perhaps its most famous culinary delight is the “agneau présalé” – pre-salted lamb. These special lambs graze on the saltmarsh grasses and sea plants that grow along the bay’s edge, imparting a subtly salted and uniquely savory flavor to their meat when cooked. It’s a taste experience that truly defines the region.

Beyond its culinary offerings, the Somme Bay has long been a magnet for creative spirits. Its serene, captivating beauty has provided a seaside retreat for countless artists and writers seeking inspiration. Most notably, literary giants like Victor Hugo and Jules Verne, along with the revered artist Degas, found solace and muse in its shifting tides and expansive horizons. Imagine the stories conceived, the masterpieces envisioned, against this dramatic backdrop!

Embarking on the Bay Crossing: Le Crotoy to Saint Valéry sur Somme

Our unforgettable trek across the bay commenced from the charming town of Le Crotoy. This picturesque port town, with its vibrant harbor and inviting atmosphere, is more than just a starting point; it’s a destination in itself. Le Crotoy boasts a selection of lovely restaurants, and we highly recommend arriving early enough to indulge in a delicious lunch before setting off on your inter-bay adventure. Savouring a local meal, perhaps fresh seafood, truly primes you for the natural wonders that await.

Once you successfully traverse the Somme Bay, you’re greeted by the equally enchanting town of Saint Valéry sur Somme. This historic little gem, with its medieval walls and cobbled streets, offers a stunning contrast to the wild expanses of the bay. We are eagerly anticipating spending more time there in August and look forward to sharing a wealth of information about this precious jewel of a place with you very soon.

Before our incredible hike, we had the pleasure of dining at a wonderful restaurant in Le Crotoy called Le Carré Gourmand. The meal was so exceptional, in fact, that we immediately knew we had to dedicate a full review article to it. Make sure to check back soon to read our detailed thoughts on this culinary highlight!

Preparing for an Unforgettable Low-Tide Adventure

So, back to our trek across the bay! We set off from Le Crotoy at 1:30 pm, meticulously prepared for our unique expedition. Our essentials included robust sunblock to shield against the coastal rays, ample bottles of water to stay hydrated, a comfortable backpack for our provisions, and my trusty silk shawl. I always carry a silk shawl when I anticipate extended sun exposure; it’s incredibly light, provides excellent protection without adding heat, and dries quickly if it gets damp – a practical touch I picked up during our travels!

An interesting aspect of this trek is the optional footwear. While some prefer to wear sturdy water shoes, we decided to embrace the natural experience and go barefoot. Be warned, however, the bay floor is incredibly muddy! Whether you wear shoes or not, you’re guaranteed to be covered in mud – but that’s all part of the fun and immersion. For clothing, we opted for light cotton pants with elastic bottoms that could be easily rolled up. They offered sun protection while remaining cool and comfortable, perfect for navigating the muddy terrain. We actually discovered these versatile pants during our adventures in Cambodia!

With our preparations complete and spirits high, we eagerly set out to discover the hidden wonders of the Somme Bay, guided by a local expert who would unlock its secrets for us.

Discovering Marine Life: Hairy Worms and Mysterious Creatures

Our guide, a true connoisseur of the bay’s hidden treasures, immediately began to reveal its fascinating inhabitants. One of the first discoveries was a species of hairy worm that makes its home in the bay’s sediment. What truly amazed us was when our guide showed us that these worms actually possess tiny, visible teeth! It was a remarkable detail that none of us had ever imagined, making the encounter even more memorable. These small creatures play a vital role in the bay’s ecosystem, serving as a favorite snack for the multitude of beautiful birds that grace the Somme Bay’s skies.

Our guide shared an amusing anecdote about these worms: a man living in the South of France reportedly pays 7€ for just ten of them to use as fishing bait. Our guide found this hilarious, given how effortlessly one can find an abundance of these worms right here in Picardy! It truly highlighted the unique local resources.

Our knowledgeable guide then unearthed another incredible sea creature right from beneath the sand! We were utterly bewildered; none of us had ever encountered anything like it before, and its appearance was truly unique. We were particularly impressed by his innate ability to spot and extract it with such ease. Apparently, the secret lies in observing the size of the holes in the sand as you walk – these are the air holes created by the creatures beneath. Who knew such subtle indicators could reveal so much about the hidden life of the bay?

The Edible Treasures of the Tides: Foraging Sea Plants

Beyond the fascinating marine fauna, our trek offered a unique opportunity to learn about the abundant edible flora of the Somme Bay. Our guide introduced us to four distinct types of sea plants that flourish here, all ready for mindful foraging and culinary exploration. This was truly the highlight for us, igniting our inspiration for a new recipe!

La Salicorne (Glasswort or Sea Beans)

Often referred to as ‘sea asparagus’ or ‘sea beans,’ La Salicorne is a vibrant green, succulent plant with a delightfully crisp texture and a distinctly salty, slightly briny flavor. It’s truly a taste of the sea! It can be enjoyed raw in salads, lightly steamed or sautéed with butter, or pickled. It’s a staple in many coastal French dishes and offers a refreshing burst of oceanic flavor.

Les Oreilles de Cochon (Sea Purslane or Pig’s Ears)

Literally translating to “pig’s ears,” this sea plant gets its charming name from the shape of its fleshy leaves. It has a slightly milder salinity compared to salicorne, with a pleasant, almost tangy note. Les Oreilles de Cochon is excellent in fresh salads, providing a delightful crunch and a unique flavor profile that brightens any dish.

Le Pompom (Glasswort relative)

This sea plant, with its distinctive ‘pompom’ shape, is another succulent found in the bay. Its unique structure adds an interesting visual element, while its taste carries a subtle saline note, making it a wonderful addition to seafood dishes or as a garnish. It’s less common than salicorne but equally delightful for those adventurous enough to forage.

L’Obione (Sea Purslane relative)

L’Obione, another member of the sea purslane family, offers a more robust flavor, often described as a deeper, earthier salinity. Its broader leaves provide a different texture, making it versatile for various culinary applications, from stir-fries to a flavorful addition in broths or as a side dish.

As we walked, our guide generously invited us to taste each of these delicious sea plants fresh from the bay. Each offered its own distinct flavor and texture, a truly remarkable and unforgettable culinary experience. It was during these moments of fresh discovery that the idea sparked: what incredible creation could we conjure with these unique, delicious gifts from the Somme Bay? And that’s how our very own sea plant pesto recipe was born!

Our Somme Bay Sea Plant Pesto: A Taste of the French Coast

We absolutely understand that replicating this recipe at home might prove a delightful challenge without direct access to these incredible French sea plants. So, consider this an open invitation to hop on a plane and come visit the beautiful Somme Bay in France yourself! It’s an experience worth every mile. 😉

However, once you have gathered these unique ingredients, we promise you, this recipe is remarkably simple to prepare! For those who aren’t planning a trip to France immediately, we encourage you to explore your local coastal areas or specialty markets. If you discover similar, delicious sea plants native to your region that could substitute for this recipe, please do let us know in the comments below – we’d love to hear about your foraging adventures!

To prepare this vibrant green sauce, simply begin by finely chopping your freshly foraged sea plants. Then, gather all your ingredients and blend them together in a food processor until you achieve a smooth, fragrant pesto. It’s that easy to capture the essence of the Somme Bay in a jar!

And voilà! This is the finished, magically green sauce, bursting with the fresh, salty flavors of the Somme Bay. Its vibrant hue and unique taste make it a showstopper for any meal.

We initially prepared this exquisite pesto to accompany our freshly grilled BBQ fish for lunch. The bright, briny notes of the sea plants perfectly complemented the smoky flavors of the fish, creating a harmonious and utterly delicious meal. It was a true celebration of the day’s foraging success.

With a little pesto leftover, we delighted in making a second helping to generously top our pasta dinner the following evening. The simple pasta transformed into an extraordinary dish, infused with the unique flavors of the French coast. We couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude to the Somme Bay for providing such wonderful, flavorful sea plants, inspiring a truly memorable culinary journey. This experience reinforced our love for fresh, foraged ingredients and the stories they tell.

Have you ever had the opportunity to forage for plants and incorporate them into a dish? We’d love to hear about your experiences and any unique recipes you’ve created!

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