Abstract
The coastal dunes of Merlimont and Berck (Pas-de-Calais, France) : an outstanding landscape to protect. The earliest coastal dunes, between the Canche and Authie estuaries, formed probably at the end of the sedimentary development of the «Plaine maritime picarde», around 2300-2100 BP (Subatlantic), after the last marine invasion which took place 2500-2370 years ago. Briquet's researches on historical development of the Merlimont and Berck coastal dunes are recalled. Since the last World War, the western dune system has changed significantly. The height of the coastal foredune has increased from a few meters to more than 15 m. At the same time, the rate of coastline retreat was 1 m per year at least. Both phenomena are related to the regional marine and aeolian dynamics. The foredune evolution with blowouts, gaps and rear sand-sheets (called «pourrières» in Picardy) implies massive sand supply from the beach. On the contrary, «caoudeyres» (deep blowouts) and parabolic dunes which form at the rear of the foredune by deflation scouring and progressive dune translation develop with a very low rate of beach sand supply.
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