Anyone got any good day trip ideas France or Belgian

Tarry

In either France or Belgium? I'm a bit clueless at the moment at where to go.

I know I've spelt Belgium wrong and I've got no excuse.

JimmyTheWig

The town of Calais is really nice. There's a great big out of town shopping centre (Cite Europe), if you like that sort of thing, which is about 50% English people. But the town itself is really nice and really "French". I think most English people either go straight off to where they are going or head for the hypermarkets. There's a nice market and nice shops. Sometimes we go to the beach there, but not always due to time and/or weather. Parking at the town hall (hotel de ville) is reasonable.

Voyager2002

Opinions differ: I think that Calais is a dump.

I would sail Newhaven-Dieppe. I like Dieppe, and you might just have time to take the train to see the great cathedral at Rouen. Or you could have a longer crossing on a more comfortable boat and go to St Malo. Cherbourg is also very pleasant.

The ferry to Ostend (Belgium) will only take you if you have a car, but Ostend is very close to beautiful Bruges.

Tarry

Thank you for your suggestions Does it take long to sail to Dieppe? That probably sounds a good idea to me. I don't want to spend too long sailing but than again it's a good idea to arrive at somewhere that's worth seeing like it sounds Dieppe is. How far is Ostend from Bruges out of interest? I've always fancied going there.

whu

you could goto Lille in France- not much more than an hour from K Cross on the Eurostar - I think you would need more than a day trip to goto Bruges but it is a nice place

McKneff

P & O ferries do day trips to France etc.

Tarry

Thank you, I'd take an nosey at your suggestions

mrtg0525

Depends on what you want to do/see and how mobile you are (ie, do you want to go by car or rely on public transport)?

If you're willing to leave really early and come back late, Laon is well worth a visit - well, the medieval bit up on the hill. Old cathedral with medieval town centre and all that.

Tarry

Not sure about whether I need public transport or not yet. I hope to be going with my father (something I have never done) and I'm not sure if he is willing to drive the "wrong side of the road" (;)) (I am unable to drive)

serena

If you have a little time, then go down the coast from Calais to Boulogne.The old town on the top of the hill is attractive, but a bit tourist trappy, with higher prices in the restaurants. The town is okay, but the fish market on the quayside is good, and there is a brilliant sealife centre, Nausicaa.

Or, and this is a favourite of ours, go inland to St Omer. This has a great market on Saturdays, nice restarants, a very pretty park, interesting buildings and museums, and a very attractive shopping centre.

France Magazine's website has lots of descriptions and information, and you can also google the tourist information centres - most French ones have an English language option. There is a useful Cadogan guide, 'Short breaks in Northern France', and another more recently published book with a title something like 90 minutes from Calais.

Tarry

I've been to Boulogne and I did like the Nausicca etc

That sounds lovely, St Omer