About this place
Established in 1987 by ministerial decree, the Platier d'Oye Nature Reserve is located between Dunkirk and Calais and welcomes thousands of visitors each year.
The Platier d’Oye is characterized by its great ecological diversity, stemming from the variety of natural habitats found across its 391 hectares (beach, white dunes, scrub-covered dunes, gray dunes, mudflats, wet meadows, and freshwater ponds...).
In addition to its exceptional landscape, the site is home to numerous bird species such as shorebirds, ducks, gulls, and more, while its pastures are grazed by Highland cattle (hardy cattle native to Scotland).
Designated a Natural Area of Ecological, Faunistic, and Floristic Interest, the Platier d’Oye is also a very important migration route.
Located on the Aa Delta during the Gallo-Roman period, the Platier d’Oye was once covered by a vast swamp forest. The marine inundation of the 4th century completely destroyed it.
Later, the sea receded, but in 1953, it raged once more and flooded the site. About one meter of saltwater covered the wet meadows.
In 1970, developers purchased the land to carry out a large-scale real estate project: building a thousand homes. Technical difficulties encountered during the construction of the first houses brought the project to a halt.
The government then decided to purchase the land through the Conservatoire du littoral for conservation purposes.
The site regularly offers guided tours, but you can also explore the reserve’s natural beauty on your own by taking the time to enjoy the scenery.