There are many Free things to do in Le Touquet and the surrounding area. Attached to the Office de Tourisme in Rue you will find a fascinating museum about two brothers (named Caudron) who were the first Frenchmen to build and fly an aeroplane in 1909. There initial factory was in Rue, and they then established a larger factory and flying school at Le Crotoy not far away on the shores of the Baie de Somme. Their work was a major major contribution to the first world war early flying machines.
Rue is pretty historical town just 40 minutes drive from Le Touquet and our holiday rental properties. With the impressive Belfry and the aviation museum its well worth a visit. Spend a couple of ours in the museum and then go and explore the delights of the Somme Bay and its estuary.
Alphonse and René Caudron built their first aircraft, a large biplane, in August 1908. Initially unable to obtain an engine, they flew it as a glider, towed by a horse and tested it through the summer. In September 1909 they finally flew it under power. By April 1910 they were able to make a return flight of 10 km (6 miles) to Forest-Montiers.
Gaston Caudron died in an aircraft accident on 15 December 1915 at the airfield at Bron. René continued in the aircraft business until the fall of France at the start of World War II. He died in 1959.
Museum Opening Times
Ideal for families, kids will have no problem imagining themselves in one of the early Caudron aeroplanes.
The museum is open all year round, free of charge.
On Monday: from 2:00pm to 6:00pm
From Tuesday to Saturday: from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:00pm to 6:00pm
July, August : From Monday to Sunday – From 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:00pm to 7:00pm
The museum is located in the same building as the Tourist Office of Rue.
10, Place Anatole Gosselin
80120 RUE
