The Canche is a coastal river located in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It originates in the Pas-de-Calais department, near Gouy-en-Ternois, and flows generally northwestward for approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) before emptying into the English Channel at the Bay of Canche, near Étaples and Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.
The river's course passes through several towns and communes, including Hesdin, Montreuil-sur-Mer, and Étaples. Its estuary is a significant ecological area, forming part of a protected natural reserve known for its diverse birdlife and a unique dune system. The Canche is one of the three main rivers of the Pas-de-Calais department, alongside the Authie and the Liane, and plays an important role in the local ecosystem and economy, particularly for tourism and oyster farming in its lower reaches.