15 September 2022
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage Aeroport, probably the most popular European destination for UK flyers, is to be renamed after Queen Elizabeth II as a tribute to Her Majesty.
“The most British of French resorts has had unbreakable links with the United Kingdom,” said Guillaume Andraud, director of communications at the airport.
“From its founder Sir John Whitley, to the inspiring stays of the author of the James Bond saga, Ian Fleming, through the names of its villas or even its majestic belfry ringing Big Ben every hour of the day, everything Touquet-Paris-Plage breathes a wind of British spirit and elegance.”
Le Touquet is a popular lunch destination for UK flyers, with clubs such as Take Flight Aviation organising club fly-outs. Others use the on-site bicycle rental (now available with electric power) to travel into the nearby town for a weekend away.
Take Flight Aviation on a club fly-out to Le Touquet. Photo Take Flight
The airport terminal was built in the 1930s to accommodate the British clientele who came in large numbers to take advantage of the attractions of the resort. In the 1950s, it became the third airport in France in terms of passengers behind Orly and Nice).
“In order to pay homage to Queen Elisabeth II and in memory of her visit to Le Touquet with her uncle Edward VIII, a visit during which she practiced horse riding as well as sand yachting, the City of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage wishes to baptize her airport named after the woman who, for 70 years, served her country with commitment, respect and constancy at the same time as she was always attentive to the good relations between our two nations. She spoke French and appreciated our country,” ended the statement.
“With this decision, our airport affirms and reinforces its status as the ‘most British of French airports’.”
