One of the most popular French airports with British visitors will change its name to honour the Queen. Le Touquet-Paris-Plage has had strong links with the United Kingdom since it opened and it will be renamed to honour Queen Elizabeth II.
Since the 1920s, Britons have frequently visited Le Touquet-Paris-Plage and it has been labelled "the most British of French resorts". As early as 1930, a landing strip was set up to receive the first tourist planes, including the personal plane of the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII, a regular visitor to the resort.
The runway was also used by Walcot Airlines, which provided a daily service to London, and in the 1950s it became the third largest airport in France in terms of passengers behind Orly and Nice. Le Touquet International Airport remains a major gateway for British visitors to the country with regular flights linking the airport with the UK.
A statement said: "In order to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and in memory of her visit to Le Touquet with her uncle Edward VIII, during which she practised both horse riding and sand yachting, the town of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage wishes to name its airport after her. For 70 years, she served her country with commitment, respect and constancy at the same time as she was always attentive to good relations between our two nations, she who spoke French and appreciated our country.
"With this decision, our airport affirms and reinforces its status as the 'most British of French airports'."
