The Eu – Le Tréport – Mers-les-Bains aerodrome, identified by the ICAO code LFAE, is a French civil aerodrome located in the Normandy region, specifically in the Seine-Maritime department (76), very close to the border with the Hauts-de-France region. It is situated in the commune of Mers-les-Bains but also serves the town of Eu and the seaside resort of Le Tréport, thus forming a strategic hub for local tourism and aviation activities.

Located at an altitude of approximately 83 meters (272 feet), the aerodrome enjoys a clear natural environment between the Norman countryside and the English Channel coastline. It is managed by an association or local authority (often with support from the municipality or an intercommunal syndicate) and is not open to regular public commercial air traffic but remains an active site for light and recreational aviation.

The aerodrome’s main infrastructure consists of a grass runway, oriented 05/23, approximately 930 meters long and about 60 meters wide. This runway is suitable for light aircraft, ultralight motorized aircraft (ULM), gliders, and other recreational planes. There is no control tower; flight procedures are conducted by self-information on the assigned radio frequency (often 123.5 MHz, to be confirmed in official aeronautical documentation).

The site is primarily used for leisure aviation activities: introductory flights, discovery flights, pilot training, gliding, aeromodelling, as well as occasional airshows or gatherings. An aero club is based here, usually very active in promoting aviation among locals and tourists. This club may offer training for ULM or light aircraft pilot licenses, as well as events and open days.

The aerodrome is not equipped with advanced navigation aids such as an ILS (instrument landing system) or runway lighting for night operations. It is therefore reserved for daytime and visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. Access to the airfield generally requires prior permission (PPR), especially outside club hours or the summer season.

The aerodrome’s geographic setting is particularly attractive for pilots and visitors: the immediate proximity to the Alabaster Coast, with its limestone cliffs and beaches, offers an exceptional panorama visible from the air. Just a few kilometers away, the royal town of Eu, the port of Le Tréport, and the beaches of Mers-les-Bains form a coherent and dynamic tourist area, which underscores the importance of maintaining an active aerodrome in this coastal zone.

The aerodrome also plays a role in the territorial network of recreational air transport. Serving as a stopover or waypoint for itinerant pilots, it promotes the discovery of the region and facilitates easy connections to other airfields within a radius of several tens of kilometers, such as Dieppe-Saint-Aubin, Abbeville, Le Touquet, or Amiens-Glisy.

From an environmental perspective, the grass runway limits noise pollution and soil sealing. Moreover, the moderate and regulated activity of the aerodrome allows harmonious coexistence with local residents and the surrounding natural environment, including local wildlife and agricultural areas.

In summary, the Eu – Le Tréport – Mers-les-Bains aerodrome is a locally important facility, both discreet and essential for the development of recreational aviation activities, local tourism, pilot training, and the promotion of aviation culture. It provides a unique and panoramic gateway to one of the most beautiful parts of the Norman and Picard coastline, while contributing to the associative and territorial dynamics of the region.