Day Trip - France

FirstTimer4Me

Hi

I'm new here, so, not sure where to post this

My partner and I are doing a day trip to France, via the Tunnel.

I have read somewhere that you cannot purchase more than 200 cigarettes in France, so where is the best place to purchase them.

Someone has mentioned Belgium, what about driving down to the Spanish border?

We arrive in Calais at 09:00, and depart 17:00

Any help / recommendations will be very greatly appreciated.

Paul

chuckles1066

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

Hi

I'm new here, so, not sure where to post this

My partner and I are doing a day trip to France, via the Tunnel.

I have read somewhere that you cannot purchase more than 200 cigarettes in France, so where is the best place to purchase them.

Someone has mentioned Belgium, what about driving down to the Spanish border?

We arrive in Calais at 09:00, and depart 17:00

Any help / recommendations will be very greatly appreciated.

Paul

You want to drive upto Adenkerke, just across the Belgium border. It's about a 45 minute drive but well worth it. You'll be paying approx £24 for 200 cigarettes (paying £ sterling guarantees you the cheapest price, don't use your credit card!) and you can bring back as many as you like as long as they are for your own use.

HMCE guidelines state an allowance of 3,200 per person so to be safe I'd stick to 6,000 between you.

On the way back into Calais, EastEnders is your best bet for alcohol.

FirstTimer4Me

Hi Chuckles

Thanks for the info; I have done a search on Google for Adenkerke, and found further information, including driving directions.

Thx, without your advice, I would not have known where to begin.

Paul

Voyager2002

Please take a little time to enjoy France rather than just shopping. At least have an authentic French meal.

Eastenders is cheap but does not do justice to the range of alcohol that France offers: check out a French supermarket or hypermarket and see what you can find.

FirstTimer4Me

Hi Voyager

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Please take a little time to enjoy France rather than just shopping. At least have an authentic French meal.

Providing we have sufficent time, we intend to stop off for lunch.

Eastenders is cheap but does not do justice to the range of alcohol that France offers: check out a French supermarket or hypermarket and see what you can find.

Well, as we are teetotallers, we have no requirements for East Enders.

However, the research I have done re supermarkets, all I can find is Cite Europe, where I believe there is a Tesco, and Carrefour.

chuckles1066

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

Hi Chuckles

Thanks for the info; I have done a search on Google for Adenkerke, and found further information, including driving directions.

Thx, without your advice, I would not have known where to begin.

Paul

http://www.day-tripper.net

is the definitive booze-cruisers website :T

MFewings

Belgium is definatley your only real option.

Although the cigarettes would be cheaper in Spain as its approx 12 hour drive each way from Calais. Not only would there be lack of time on your day trip but the cost of fuel would be far more than the savings.

cheekymole

There's also Auchan and Sainsbury's

C_Ronaldo

id personnally go to the auchan,

PeteMc

Cigarettes in France are on average €5.00 per packet so Belgium is cheaper.

The 200 you refer to is a little known recently (2005) law here that prohibits a person carrying more than 200 cigarettes in public and storing more than 2000 (I think) at home. Of course, bona fide deliveries are exempt.

Whilst not strongly enforced (and illegal by EU standards) the French Customs have used it on daytrippers from Belgium through/into France. I think it's probably used when a gobby party start the "I know my rights etc."

In the old days they just locked them up for a few hours but now the French are more sensitive to human rights and will only divest you of your belongings!

mcfisco

There's a big Auchan right on Jcn 25a of the A16
You'll go past it on your way to Adinkerke [or on the way back]