Day Trip to France

[opticalhazer]

Hello all.

Paul, the girls and I are going on a day trip to France on Monday (personally dreading the idea of all that travelling for one day but there you are!)

To alleviate my fears could my fellow dibbers please make some suggestions of lovely places to visit that are within about 100 miles of Calais.....haven't been for years and can't remember the places to see really.

We won't be visiting Paris on this trip as to far to travel with the children so other suggestions please...I know you lot wont let me down!!!

Vicki xxxxxxxx

[monkeehanger]

I live in Bruges (Belgium), we are only just over an hour from Calais (All dual carriageway too).

It's a great place, plenty of history and old buildings, also very laid back. The Venice of the North!

There's lots of festivals suring the summer too.

Check out www.brugge.be (http://www.brugge.be)

Are you coming over on the Eurotunnel? If so the dual carriageway you exit onto leads all the way here!

[disney owl]

good shopping at Calais

Beach ok but just outside are some lovely beaches between Calais & Boulogne.

Best sea life/ aquerium (spell?) we've ever been to was at Boulogne, ideal if weather bad. Norsica I think.

Le touquet is supposed to be very nice but have never been, but my mum enjoyed it.

[disney owl]

forgot to say if you are thinking of shopping for booze , go to Eastenders, Rough & ready but good prices & open 24 hours.

It's off the duel carriageway sorry no more directions but you can always ask!!!!!!!!!!

[Astrid]

The drive down the coast from Calais is lovely and there is wonderful restaurant right by the sea that I've been to a number of times that I love, however, for the life of me I can't remember it's name which is a great deal of help - I'll rack my brains and hopefully come back to you on that one! Head for the smaller villages for the best places to eat they have go some fantastic, and cheap restaurants and their set menus are generally excellent value.

I enjoyed seeing Le Touquet and generally when I've been on a day trip to France have driven down the coast for a few hours to see the scenary then had lunch and then headed back to Calais and hit the huge shops for some major shopping of wine and beer!!

Hope you have a fun day! :)

[Gav_Mel]

Can highly recomend the Aquarium in Boulogne ( called Norsica) and the place has all the info in different languages inlcuding english :)

[Rio]

I remember going to Boulogne and Le Touquet when I was about 11 and Le Touquet is beautiful with a lovely beach.
Don't go to Cherbourg, its filthy, dog mess everywhere and we were eating our lunch ina restaurant/cafe and a couple came in with 2 dogs that just sat and drooled all through our meal but it seemed to be normal practise.
Love Rio

[opticalhazer]

Thanks you guys...this has been very helpful and we will certainly give a full trip report on Wednesday.

I know I didn't cope very well with writing a Florida trip report but one day trip should be fine!! Thanks again! xx