Heri Solitudo hodie civitas (Yesterday in solitude, today urban). This sentence written in 1930 by Edouard Lévêque is a perfect summary of the city’s history. Yesterday, there were a desolate moor with nothing but warrens and hares; today it is one of the most welcoming seaside resorts in Europe. The whole story started in the shade, or rather far from the world, in the middle of uninhabited dunes swept by the wind. In 1837, the 1600 hectares wild warren of Trépied (crossroads of Cucq) was bought by Mr. Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Daloz and Mr. Alyon for 120.000 FF (6.500 napoleons) at that time. This place used to be as well a refuge for many deserters during the Napoleon Era. To make it profitable, the former notary Mr. Daloz and Mr. Alyon wanted to devote to farming and breeding, they planted potatoes, rye, Jerusalem artichokes and bred sheep as well. They even tried to set a distillery. Unfortunately, all their attempts failed.

To make it profitable, they will plant potatoes, rye, jerusalem artichokes and breed sheep as well. They even try to set a distillery and faeculary... but vainly ! Fortunately, after many efforts, Alphonse Daloz will succeed in planting a forest of pine-trees, poplars, elms, and alders. Soon the forest becomes abounding in species and attracts hunters. De Villemessant, owner and manager of the newspaper "Le Figaro", but also hunter, becomes very keen with the place. He creates the name of "Paris-Plage" and the idea-side resort occurs to him... Le Touquet finally comes out of the shadow...

In 1882, the plane of the future town is designed and constructions rise among the pine trees. However, it is only in 1888, three years after Mr Daloz's death that the resort takes another dimension. Hotels, shops and cottages grow up in all parts of the station. However in spite of its 173 constructions built in 1894, Le Touquet deserves the name of town only during the summer season, for there are no more than 300 inhabitants left every autumn.

A glance of shadow descends once more on the resort when Mr Daloz's heirs disagree on final decisions and decide to sell the castle, the appendages, and the rest of the unsold land (1100 ha). Speculators are on the watch and the forest might be parcelled out. Fortunately, John Whitley and Allen Stoneham, both fond of trees, buy it for 870 500 F. Then begins the great ascendance of the town.

Le Touquet is growing one year after the other, and quickly comprises a casino and a golf, which will soon be considered as one of the best in the world due to the remarkable beauty of its lay out. A hippodrome and tennis courts are also set up. In 1912, on March 28th, Le Touquet becomes an independent town (before then, it was under the legal authority of Cucq). But the shadow soon sweeps down Le Touquet once more ! The First World War is tolling the end of a period where following one other.
British troops occupy the town for four years, and hotels are used as hospitals or entrenched camps.

After the war, light is coming back, and Le Touquet becomes one of the smartest resort in the world, with luxurious customers, such as the English high society. The town changes its look and gains heignt : Westminster hotel (1924), bridge of Etaples (1926), Restaurant of the Forest (1927), Royal Picardy Hotel (1929), the swimming pool (1931), the Town Hall (1931)... and many other works which contribute to give to Paris-Plage its real fashionable reputation. Wealthy and powerful customers take the habits of coming to Le Touquet, such as oriental and East Indies princes.
Wonderful hotels and villas, a polo, a race course, a golf and two casinos : Paris-Plage is attractive, fascinating, and becomes well-known abroad.

But the shadow, or rather the darkness, is once again spreading over the resort for the Second World War is putting out lights. Occupied, the town is suffering under the German army : bombings, mines... Five years later, most of the hotels are destroyed or very damaged. Le Touquet is one of the most mined town in France (100 000 mines).

Dr Pouget, mayor of the town will do his best to obtain the revival of the resort. Little by little, Le Touquet will recover its charm and quietude.

In the fifties, the resort will fit with its time and become "the preeminently rendez-vous in" ... The aim is to make sure that no one is bored, and it is a real success !

In time, Le Touquet accentuates its efforts towards sports and leisure and will progressively become "the whole year round resort".

Today, Le Touquet is preserving with tenacity the heritage of the past, and deserves, more than ever, its reputation of a fashionable resort.

Fiat Lux, Fiat Urbs : "Be the light, Be the city" such is the device of Le Touquet Paris-Plage.