"The seaside city of Boulogne-sur-Mer has a lot going on: Roman ruins, a medieval castle, and Nausicaä, the French national aquarium. Here, right across from the aquarium and the city beach, where the Liane river meets the city’s port, is Hôtel La Matelote, a 35-room hotel with a surprising amount of character — and an award-winning restaurant under the direction of chef Tony Lestienne, a Boulogne native and a fixture on the local restaurant scene for more than 40 years. There’s a jacuzzi, hammam, and sauna for guest use, and the breakfast is sourced from the finest local purveyors." - Tablet Hotels