Day trip in France

Rogar

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could assist me. I'm going to France on Monday with my fiancee for a day trip and was wondering whether someone could help me with some things/tips to do; some questions are:-

1) Where is a good place to purchase Christmas presents and/or alcohol at good price?
2) Can you suggest anywhere to go as a couple?
3) Any tips when driving in France?

I appreciate your time.

Best regards,
Rogar

johnnyroper

I went to Calais last week and found most places have closed down,the big supermarket auchan is still there but most things are no cheaper than over here.
Driving in France is not a problem everywhere is clearly signposted,just make sure you have a hi visibility vest in car as it is law in France now.

Tarry

Try the Cite Europe near the Eurotunnel terminal that's quite good Not sure what is open there these days, but I quite liked it when I've been in the past. There is a large Carrefour supermarket there, which might be worth a ganter. I quite like Boulogne Sur Mer myself.

I'm going over next Saturday, but this time I'm heading towards Belguim

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

Drive straight past Calais & head for Bolougne, far nicer town with some character. If you tire of shopping (takes me about 3 minutes) head for Nausicaa on the seafront- huge, and incredibly well done, sea life center.

DavidHayton

Rogar wrote: »

1) Where is a good place to purchase Christmas presents and/or alcohol at good price?
2) Can you suggest anywhere to go as a couple?
3) Any tips when driving in France?
Rogar

Hi Rogar. I tend to do day trips with my children so I can't help much with (2) - I presume you want something a little more sophisticated than Le MacDonalds.

However, as far as shopping is concerned, if you are going no further than Calais, try the Cite Europe Shopping Mall. http://en.citeeurope.com/ There is a wide range of shops in there including an enormous Carrefour Hypermarket. http://www.carrefour-calais.com/intro.htm Cite Europe is adjacent to the Eurotunnel terminal in France. If you are going by ferry then you will have to drive either 5km through downtown Calais, or 10 km on the autoroutes that by-pass Calais: A26 then A15. The latter option is easy if you have a sat-nav or a navigator with a map.
Personally, I prefer to use Auchan (mainly because I know what they sell and where to find it in store). This is another hypermarket within a kilometre of the Tunnel entrance (and Cite Europe) but it is on the other side of the A15 so the road journey is longer than a km and it isn't easy to find without maps / SatNav. Here is their website: http://www.auchan.fr/magasin/itineraire/itineraire.jsp?idPageMagasin=17953

As others have said, booze-cruising isn't the money saving experience that it once was. Tesco and Sainsburys have withdrawn from Calais, and Auchan have stopped much of their marketing at UK visitors. For example Auchan used to maintain a website in English with printable money-off vouchers. I couldn't find it when I looked this morning. However, I never went to Calais to shop in Tescos!

You will find that wine is still much cheaper than in the UK. I tend to buy 5 Litre boxes of red wine. They cost about 10 euro each. They will happily keep for a year before opening. Beer is generally cheaper in France, but not necessarily. French prices can be trumped by Tesco's promotional offers. It is a bit annoying to notice beer that you carted half way across Europe to be on sale for less in Tesco. Most other goods will probably be more expensive than in the UK - remember that French VAT is 19.6% and that the French levy VAT on food (albeit at a reduced rate). However, the choice will be different (my daughter bought a lovely coat in Auchan one winter. Whilst it would have been cheaper to buy a coat in Primark even at 1.50 Euro to the pound, this design wasn't on sale in the UK high street), and food quality is better. Though this might be because I usually survive on basics and economy lines.

Driving is easy in France. Just keep to the right and take things easy at first. And beware of car parks - cars pass on the right in those as well. I was amused once by two UK-registered cars that had ended up nose-to-nose in a car park because the drivers had no idea which side to pass.

Finally, I would echo what Jonnyroper said about a hi-vis jacket. You will also need a warning triangle and spare bulbs as well. But in my opinion, you should have these things with you in the UK. I bought a triangle many years ago because I was going to France. I have never used it in France but I have used it several times in the UK when parked on unlit roads at night.

Hope you have a great time.
David

knightstyle

Great reply above, plus take your driving license, insurance doc. and proof of car ownership. You may like to download and print two copies of a european accident form before you go and don't drink any alcohol, the limits are lower in France and the Gendarmes can stop you at any time, random checks near the ports are carried out quite regularly. Have a good trip and don't worry about the driving it is easy.

martindow

If you fancy going to an interesting town you could try Lille - just over an hour's drive from Calais.

Tarry

Poly,put_the_kettle_on wrote: »

Drive straight past Calais & head for Bolougne, far nicer town with some character. If you tire of shopping (takes me about 3 minutes) head for Nausicaa on the seafront- huge, and incredibly well done, sea life center.

yes, I also like Boulogne

Hastobe_Katt

The only driving tip I would suggest is to look up priorit! à droite which has to be the most bizarre road rule ever invented! Oh and watch out on roundabouts - the French, generally, are clueless about the appropriate lane to be in - especially for turning left.

Should say priorite (with accent but forum software doesn't seem to support accented characters)

sunshinetours

Headlamop convertors aswell in these darker wintry days!

Bolougne is nice as others have said as is Lille or Le Touquet. lille may well have its Christmas market open now aswell so could be worth a trip down.

If you drive a diesel fill up in France as its generally cheaper (get off the autoroute) and if unleaded then fill up in UK.

Driving is very easy in France so have a good time

EDIt 0ops just seen date of original post - too late!

Tarry

You definetely need headlight adapters especially now