Weekend in Europe - within a few hours of the tunnel?
Discussion
The OH and I have some frequent crossing tickets to use before March but can only really manage a weekend away. Are there any decent/interesting places to visit within a few hours drive of Calais? The OH used to work in Belgium so we've done all the cities there to death!
Are there any little gems in France? As it's only a weekend we don't want to spend hours in the car really.
Cheers all
Sarah
Are there any little gems in France? As it's only a weekend we don't want to spend hours in the car really.
Cheers all
Sarah
Honfleur 
Easy 2 hrs from Calais.
Stay in the Mercure for secure car parking & an easy walk to the old port (this makes it sound like a big maritime centre - it's actually the size of a small car park & will be full of yachts, surrounded by beautifull old houses/appartments & all 3 sides of it are lined with bars & restaurants).
The Mercure itself is a featureless concrete box, but is the only place we've found that has good parking & is close to the centre & has consistent quality - even if that is mediocre! There are loads of other Hotels if you're not too precious about your wheels.
Spend the afternoon/evenings drinking & eating there (in the daytime around the old port, don't bother in the evening - most are overpriced, if you venture a couple of streets away you'll find plenty better. We usually go to "La homme de bois" which has well priced good food & wine, then head back to the port for a late night drink at one of the 2 bars on that side - follow your ears to the music, both seem to have a good atmosphere avery night).
One point to note: The 2 bars that are on the sunny side of the harbour/quayside in the afternoon don't half milk this & are around twice the price of the places opposite.
Spend the daytime driving around the beautifull countryside inland. Swiss Normandie is what you want to google, but it's nearly all good & full of quaint old/medieval towns for lunch. Think of a continental Cotswold landscape & you've got the idea.
If you've got a few more days carry on West for another hour ish & spend a night each in Mont Saint Michele - spend the night on the Mont if you're feeling flush, St Malo & Dinan (NOT "Dinard" which IMHO is an a55hole of a faded seaside resort). All are worth a day wandering around & offer fantastic food/drink for the evening.
You might be able to tell that I love the Normandy/Brittany border region....... If only they had the weather that the SOF gets it'd be heaven for me.
We've been to the region countless times & I can't recommned it highly enough.
Easy 2 hrs from Calais.
Stay in the Mercure for secure car parking & an easy walk to the old port (this makes it sound like a big maritime centre - it's actually the size of a small car park & will be full of yachts, surrounded by beautifull old houses/appartments & all 3 sides of it are lined with bars & restaurants).
The Mercure itself is a featureless concrete box, but is the only place we've found that has good parking & is close to the centre & has consistent quality - even if that is mediocre! There are loads of other Hotels if you're not too precious about your wheels.
Spend the afternoon/evenings drinking & eating there (in the daytime around the old port, don't bother in the evening - most are overpriced, if you venture a couple of streets away you'll find plenty better. We usually go to "La homme de bois" which has well priced good food & wine, then head back to the port for a late night drink at one of the 2 bars on that side - follow your ears to the music, both seem to have a good atmosphere avery night).
One point to note: The 2 bars that are on the sunny side of the harbour/quayside in the afternoon don't half milk this & are around twice the price of the places opposite.
Spend the daytime driving around the beautifull countryside inland. Swiss Normandie is what you want to google, but it's nearly all good & full of quaint old/medieval towns for lunch. Think of a continental Cotswold landscape & you've got the idea.
If you've got a few more days carry on West for another hour ish & spend a night each in Mont Saint Michele - spend the night on the Mont if you're feeling flush, St Malo & Dinan (NOT "Dinard" which IMHO is an a55hole of a faded seaside resort). All are worth a day wandering around & offer fantastic food/drink for the evening.
You might be able to tell that I love the Normandy/Brittany border region....... If only they had the weather that the SOF gets it'd be heaven for me.
We've been to the region countless times & I can't recommned it highly enough.
+1 on Honfleur.
Done it several times over the last few years staying at the Mercure. Usually try to arrive for a late lunch of moules et frittes, wonderful !
If you want a day trip away from there you can head off to Monet's garden at Giverny although quality of the view depends on time of year.
Done it several times over the last few years staying at the Mercure. Usually try to arrive for a late lunch of moules et frittes, wonderful !
If you want a day trip away from there you can head off to Monet's garden at Giverny although quality of the view depends on time of year.
+2 for Honfleur (and the Mercure). Also, nearby is this place which is also worth a visit and the town of Fecamp also has a great market on Saturday morning. Oh and Trouville-sur-Mer just along the coast.
http://www.benedictine.fr/anglais/lepalais_frame.h...
Jon
http://www.benedictine.fr/anglais/lepalais_frame.h...
Jon
Another vote for Honfleur.
We stay here
Private (garage) parking, a few minutes walk from the port, friendly owners and a lovely courtyard\garden to veg\eat\drink in. Will be back there this year after Le Mans
We stay here
Private (garage) parking, a few minutes walk from the port, friendly owners and a lovely courtyard\garden to veg\eat\drink in. Will be back there this year after Le Mans
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