 In the words of Lady Olave Baden-Powell, "Étaples was a dirty, loathsome, smelly little town".On the other side of the river was the smart beach resort known officially as Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, and unofficially as either Le Touquet or Paris-Plage.Le Touquet was in effect officers' territory, and pickets were stationed on the bridge over the Canche to enforce the separation.