Le Crotoy is situated on the Picardy coast adjacent to the Bay of Somme.
It has the characteristic of being a south facing sandy beach, hence the etymology of the name of the town means "people of the sands."
During the Hundred Years' War the town was alternately under English and French control.
Joan of Arc was imprisoned here in 1430 before being taken to Rouen for trial.
In 1910 the Caudron brothers set up the first flying school in the world (Flight School Caudron Crotoy).