French trip with MIL

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PositronicRay

Original Poster:

26,954 posts

182 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
85 y/o MIL wants us to take her to France.

1 week in a Gite will be more than enough, and I wouldn't want to me more than a couple of hours from the tunnel.

Now although we drive through France regularly Pas de Calais etc is a stopping off place that I don't know that well. We'll probably go in spring any heat would floor her and she likes looking around and poking about in cutesy towns any suggestions?


pmanson

13,374 posts

252 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
St Malo in Brittany is very nice. You could even get a direct ferry there.

We went to Brittany on our honeymoon about 8 years.

From memory we really liked Dinard, Cancale, Le Mont St Michel as well

Edited by pmanson on Tuesday 26th July 12:04

tr7v8

7,185 posts

227 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
The area around Le Touquet is lovely, 55 miles from Calais & although the town is quite expensive we stayed in montreuil sur mer which is 10-15 minutes away & is a lovely French village/town. We stayed here which is a converted military hospital & can recommend it. It had its own private secure car park.
https://www.expedia.co.uk/Neuville-Sous-Montreuil-...

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

26,954 posts

182 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Brittany is out unfortunately, too far, we have 2 x dogs so need to use the tunnel, although I agree it would be ideal.

Montreuil is a good call, we know the town quite well, (Vet and stopover) dogs can be exercised on the town walls. And it's also well placed for visiting the coast.

I think she has visions of Loire Chateaux or something (which ain't going to happen)

Huntsman

8,026 posts

249 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
Brittany is out unfortunately, too far, we have 2 x dogs so need to use the tunnel, although I agree it would be ideal.

Montreuil is a good call, we know the town quite well, (Vet and stopover) dogs can be exercised on the town walls. And it's also well placed for visiting the coast.

I think she has visions of Loire Chateaux or something (which ain't going to happen)
Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to St Malo has kennels on board for the dogs. Overnight, with cabins, full rest't service and St Malo in the morning....

Puggit

48,354 posts

247 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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It's 6 hours from Calais to Tours, without stopping...

NormalWisdom

2,139 posts

158 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Honfleur? Just over 2 hours from the tunnel, handily placed for Normandy beaches, Caen, Bayeux and a very pretty town in itself

Huntsman

8,026 posts

249 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
NormalWisdom said:
Honfleur? Just over 2 hours from the tunnel, handily placed for Normandy beaches, Caen, Bayeux and a very pretty town in itself
Good shout. Hotel Du Dauphin very nice.

PerfectDark

47 posts

106 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Normandy is lovely, especially the Cote Fleurie. I try and visit every summer, staying in Dives-sur-Mer or Cabourg. As has been said you can't miss Honfleur - genuinely is one of the prettiest places that I've ever been to. It's about a 3 hour drive from the Tunnel, so not too far. If you want to brush up on your history the museums and war cemeteries to the west of Caen are a must visit - very poignant yet they're exceptionally well maintained. There's also some nice markets in most of the towns if that's your cup of tea. The Mont St Michel is about a 2 hour drive - again a stunning place to visit, however there's a LOT of walking involved.

Shnozz

27,419 posts

270 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Would also recommend Le Touquet and Honfleur. Depending on where you might sail to, I would also through Deauville in there too, delightful little port.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

26,954 posts

182 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Okay, tunnel non negotiable, less stressful on the dogs who aren't used to kennels.

Honfleur would be a good call but the old dear is stopping off there on a cruise in a couple of weeks.

6 hours to Tours (although I do like the area), no thanks, driving time to be kept to the minimum.

MIL, every 5 mins points @ random Peugeot and says "ohh look one like yours Karen".... "Karen, Karen, are you listening to me?"...... "I said a car like yours"....... "just past it"......... "there it is again, there it is" ....."Karen, Karen are you listening"

Driving time to be kept to minimum to avoid wife murdering MIL and my sanity.

I'm kinda thinking of 7 (4/5 if I can swing it biggrin) days in a pleasant rural Gite (with plenty of private space and a TV that won't receive soaps), an hour or two from the tunnel. We need to keep east, maybe head to Belgium.

Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 26th July 16:23


Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 26th July 16:25

Shnozz

27,419 posts

270 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
I'd propose swapping Karen's Peugeot for a Pagani huayra in the next few weeks. Or a Rover. No French ever bought Rovers.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

26,954 posts

182 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Shnozz said:
I'd propose swapping Karen's Peugeot for a Pagani huayra in the next few weeks. Or a Rover. No French ever bought Rovers.
Karen doesn't have a Peugeot, hasn't had one for years....

Shnozz

27,419 posts

270 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
I'd propose swapping Karen's historical Peugeot for a set of decent noise-cancelling headphones.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

26,954 posts

182 months

Saturday 30th July 2016
quotequote all
Problem solved, she's booked a river cruise.

clap

FiF

43,960 posts

250 months

Sunday 31st July 2016
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OP sits down to a well earned refreshing brew.