Good place to stop en route from Calais to DLP, 3-4hrs + lunch?

[Guest]

We have finally decided that we are going to stick to the Eurotunnel for our March trip, however, rather than a day trip in the UK on our way outbound, we are going to stop off somewhere between Calais and DLP for some sightseeing and lunch.
Just wondering where would be good and not too far from the route? Don't mind if it's near Calais or DLP.
Looking at the google route Amiens looks like it might be a good place to stop. But despite googling still not entirely sure what would be good for the kids, not interested in the zoo, can do a zoo at home, would like them to see something specific to France and local culture. Found out Jules Verne from there (could link to Discoveryland ) and hs house is now a museum, though still not sure how interesting it is for the kids.
Thanks

[emmab]

There are a few options, you could have a look round le touquet, bolougne sur mer, or get nearer DLP and stop off at Lille, Amiens, Rouen. Versailles is lovely also. We tend to drive straight to val d' Europe and have lunch at la criee. We are off 28 March

[Guest]

DH doesn't want to go to Vale D'Europe, got to shopping centre once but not outlet part, he hates shopping so I don't enjoy it either.
I think Lille, Rouen or Amiens are our best options. Thanks :-)

[emmab]

Have a great time

[Poppycat]

We were planning on heading straight down.. Driven the route a few times but can't remember if there are services on the motorway... Are they any good if they're there?

Thanks

[emmab]

The ones we have been too a mostly petrol and a bit of food oh and toilets, we tend to fill up at Dover and have plenty of fuel to get to DLP.

[Guest]

We normally drive straight from Calais to DLP in one go, never used the services though.

This time we have an early morning Eurotunnel Crossing and no DLP tickets for the day, so have from about 9am > 6pm to do a 3hr drive, so taking the opportunity to experience somewhere different.

[kcsunshine73]

Versailles is wonderful, although it adds a little time to the journey as you go the other side of Paris. We took our kids last year and got entry into the houses and gardens; too much to see in one day. Also Rouen is a great town, we used to go there a lot pre kids before our only reason to go to France became mouse shaped!
If you eat in either, go off the beaten track - both towns have great little independent bistros who offer excellent Prix fixe meals at great prices.
The area off the main motorway down to DLP is quite uninspiring, lots of mining towns with a leclerc and a quick. We didn't find much to stop for in Amiens, tbh and it's a difficult town to drive round unless you have a good satnav (we tend to do hypermarche shops on way down and up, they are confusing to find here!).
Good luck!

[Guest]

I am tempted with Versailles, it was mainly the fact that it isn't really en route that was putting me off, I wanted to go last year when we did an extended trip and stayed in a campsite after DLP but we never made it.

I went to Rouen on my school trip in 1983! Can't remember much about it apart from wonderful crepes with chocolate sauce from a street seller and the modern Cathedral. I'll ditch the idea of Amiens, even DD1 not really into Jules Verne yet anyway. I'm going to look into Lille and Rouen, see what I can find

[buryboy]

Originally Posted by Disney mum

I'm going to look into Lille and Rouen, see what I can find

See more...

If you go to Rouen , see if you can find our hotel that we used last year en route to west France.
That'll waste a good hour or so - well it did for us - not quite as straightforward as google maps suggested