Calais with kids?

bylromarha

My littlies are interested in France and love learning to speak French.

Would love to take them for a day trip, but not sure I fancy driving too far from the ferry.

My kids are 3 and 5 and thought it might be nice to take my niece and nephew too who are 15 and 10.

Is there anything we can do apart from shopping and walking round the town? Anywhere easy to drive to near Calais that will be French and fun?

pboae

What about going Boulogne instead? It's a bit prettier than Calais, there's nicer beaches, Nausicaa aquarium, and a nice market (which I think is there on Weds and Sat but I am not 100% sure).

I took my teenaged niece and nephew to the market there and they really enjoyed it. I let them go round and buy the veg for us. They only speak 'school' french, but they got by OK, and the stall holders were really good with them and encouraged them to speak. It was great practice for them.

Oldernotwiser

Totally agree with the Boulogne suggestion; much prettier and Nausicaa is fantastic.

I believe that Euroferries have a new service from Ramsgate to Boulogne starting in November which might make it more accessible, as would travelling by the tunnel.

Oldernotwiser

francisdaily wrote: »

boulogne is nice but dont make the mistake i did and go on a sunday

Why not?

pompeyrich

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Why not?

probably cos most of France is shut on a Sunday.

Voyager2002

Yes, Calais is a dump and they would be most disappointed.

sunshinetours

Bolougne is nice and another recommendation for Nausicaa. Depending on time of year nice beach next to it also with playpark for younger kids

Don't discount driving in France though it really is very easy from the main ports. Le touquet is lovely and only 45 minutes from Eurotunnel or less from Boulogne. Go down slightly inland an visit St Omer which is also very pretty or one of my favourite towns in nrothern france Lille. if you are going before Christamas lille I believe has a lovely Christmas market. Don;t forget you can also go all the way there on Eurostar if that is an option

Tarry

Totally agree with going to Boulogne instead of Calais, there is not much in Calais to be honest. I would think though that Boulogne is better for children than St Omer (even though I do like both!) as there is a fantastic aquaruim called Nausicca (as already mentioned) which they'd probably like.

Ezmondino

Agreed that Calais is a dump and if you want to stay in France without much driving go to Boulogne. You know you could go the other way to Belgium - Oostend is 45 mins, Brugge 1hr 10 mins ish., all easily done in a day trip.

Calais does have a Carrefour and Auchan though if you want to pop in on the way back to the port. But as someone else said they will be shut on Sundays (as is alot of stuff).

There are great beaches along the coastline in either direction.

pompeyrich

In defence of Calais, apart from the hypermarkets and Cite Europe, the beach area is very nice and there are a couple of good parks, swings and stuff as opposed to lawns and flowers, right on the front. You can watch the ferries going in and out and the locals fishing, from the harbour wall. Nice ice-cream from the vans on the front or maybe some chips. A good introduction to France and will whet your appetite for more in depth exploration.

margaretclare

Drive out of Calais to one of the smaller towns on the outskirts. There is the 'Field of Cloth of Gold' signposted in brown 'Le Champ de Drap de l'or' - historical. We found a nice little restaurant at a place called Guines. The kids might have fun ordering a meal: 'On peut manger ici, madame?' and 'Le plat du jour, s'il vous plait'. And remember to greet everyone - the French do, when entering. 'Bonjour, mesdames, messieurs'. The locals will be tickled pink. They love it when people from over here visit their lovely country not just for the cheap wine etc. Remember that French is pronounced with every syllable given equal emphasis, whereas in English we emphasise one syllable over the others. It should be: Sar-ko-zy rather than SarKOzy.

BTW, on the way back remember to lock all your doors including - especially! - the boot.