Travel from UK to Normandy. Advice needed please.

persil

Hello everyone and merry Christmas!

We are booking to travel to Normandy next year for one week's holiday. Does anyone know the quickest route (we're taking the car) from the uk to France with as short as possible drive to Normandy?
Failing that can anyone recommend an overnight stop in France? We're travelling with our son who has a neurological disease and we can't allow him to get too tired so we need to plan with military precision.

Thanks in advance.

jcorbygas

Where are you staying in Normandy and where do you live in the UK?
I have a second home near Caen and although the shortest driving time in France is using the Portsmouth to Caen route it is usually more expensive and the crossing is very long - over 6 hours (unless you are holidaying in the summer when they do have a quick ferry - still around 3 hours) so most time we go from Dover to Boulogne using LD Lines which takes around an hour and then depending on where you wish to go to in Normandy it will take around 3 to 4 hours. There are plenty of aires (motorway stops) along the route where you can stop for a walk around, use the toilet facilities etc and so I would think this would be the best idea. You can of course use Eurotunnel for an even quicker crossing but slightly longer drive or the other ferry companies out of Dover ie PO or SeaFrance.
If you want any more info let me know.

Jackie

serena

There's an excellent service area or aire, called Aire de la Baie de la Somme on the main motorway from Calais down to Normandy. You can see it from quite a way away, as it has a prominent wooden viewing tower. Excellent picnic facilites, small shop and restaurant, clean loos.

persil

Hello, thanks to both of you for your replies.
We're not yet sure where we're staying as we haven't made our minds up! It may not even be Normandy but we wanted somewhere near beaches yet not too far to drive. First time in four years that son wants a holiday and he's obsessed with going away on the train (he's only 6) so I really want to get it right so he can enjoy it.