Hardelot-Plage

In 1905, John Whitley, who had been the owner of the castle of Hardelot since 1897, was particularly impressed by this region. He wanted to make Hardelot a new fashionable and cosmopolitan sports center. His Board of Directors included industrialists and personalities from Paris and abroad, including Prince Tata of Bombay and the Duke of Argyll of England.

From 1908, the famous architect Louis-Marie Cordonnier, a friend of John Whitley, designed 20 spacious and unique villas that still characterize Hardelot today. This includes the villa from 1911 of the famous aviation pioneer Louis Blériot, who designed the first French beach sailing airplane, the predecessor of the land yacht.

Hardelot quickly turned out to be a huge success, mainly among British aristocrats and pioneers of that time. During its most glorious period, King George V, Queen Mary, and the Belgian royals were also received here (in 1917). Since then, Hardelot has become increasingly modern, but the charming atmosphere of the past has remained.

Christian Verraes