Northern France Holiday

Now33

I'm looking for some advice re: holidaying in Northern France. We are a family of 4 (2 teenagers), and as we have never been to France it's something I want to consider for us. As I have never driven abroad before I don't really want to go too far away from Calais (also we are in North West England so would have a long drive down to Dover, and would like to do the full trip in a day).

Can anyone give any suggestions of where to stop within a couple of hours drive from Calais. I would prefer to stop in a holiday home rather than a hotel. I don't want a city break, so don't want to go near to Paris, but would still like to be near some of the traditional French towns, so a semi-rural position would be perfect.

Any advice for location/booking agents/general tips of what to consider would be greatly appreciated.

maman

As you're coming from the North West it might be easier for you to go to Portsmouth rather than Calais. If you took Brittany Ferries to St Malo you could have a great holiday in Brittany.


I'd recommend looking at Brittany Ferries Holidays. they have some super cottages for rent and the ferry fare and cottage package can be good value. I'm not sure when you're planning to go but they do have offers from time to time.

The weather in Brittany is a bit like the South of England so a bit hit and miss. If you want to guarantee sunshine you need to go south of the Dordogne in my experience but that's a longer drive.

Kynthia

I went to Brittany last year and was going to suggest you get a Ferry from Portsmouth or Plymouth. St Malo takes you into the heart of Brittany but it's drivable from other ports if you want a shorter/cheaper/quicker crossing. Our countryside accomodation was 3.5 hours from Le Hearve so there's probably many options. Last time we stayed in a cheap hotel right near the port so we could get an early sailing the next morning but I'd consider the overnight crossing to St Malo next time as you can get a room on board and then arrive in France early and fresh to begin your holiday

I don't have teenagers but I can say there were loads of lovely, empty beaches around, medieval towns to explore, markets, and outdoor activities like surfing and go - karting. Plus lovely food of course. I'm planning on going back.

AlexMac

Another vote for Brittany Ferries packages from Portsmouth. Their 'ferry-only' fares might look expensive, but if you add in a few nights accommodation, the deal gets very affordable. And you avoid the grief of Dover, where the slightest glitch (French strikes/ security/ immigration staff probs etc) has traffic backed up for hours on the M2/M20 like last month.
Their website's really helpful once you work out how to use the accommodation search facilities (map, list, region, type...) so you can price up a sample hol, although its always best to ring their really competent call centre to book.

And I assume you are talking about this year, but if you are planning for 2017, then there is a little publicised short window, with an early-booking discount of about 20% or more most winters- Nov, Dec or Jan in recent years; ring and ask 'em!

Ankh

We like to stay in houses as well and use http://en.gites-de-france.com/ to book.

littlereddevil

Why don't you get the ferry from Hull?

beckstar1975

We stayed https://www.gites-de-france.com/location-vacances-Cleres-Gite-Chemin-Faisant-76G2268.html last year, it's under 2 hours from Calais and near Rouen by bus/train if you don't want to drive.

Gorgeous village, two bakeries in village and lovely animal park, would thoroughly recommend

knightstyle

Portsmouth - Cherbourg is cheaper than St. Malo and lots of places to go on the Cherbourg peninsular, good beaches, typical French villages etc.
If you use Brittany Ferries PM me for a discount.
Driving is not hard, roads and roundabouts guide you to go the right way, main danger point is when pulling out onto a road so have your passenger on alert.

hollydays

Driving in France is really easy , the roads are less crowded, and if you get sat nav , it shows you which way to go around roundabouts( always a concern the first time) .if you are looking at this year-bear in mind you may find prices for accommodation scarce and high as its last minute.
If I was driving from Calais, the first nearest two places that are worth a stop imho are montreuil and le touquet

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/normandyandbrittany/740946/Perfect-break-Le-Touquet.html

But ultimately it may be down to price , Brittany is a better choice though

Voyager2002

The region close to Calais is really not very nice. As others have posted, you would do far better to go further west (Brittany and Normandy), most conveniently reached by ferry from Portsmouth or Plymouth. This route costs more than going through Calais, to such an extent that you might consider flying or train plus Eurostar and then hiring a car in France. There is a reason why getting to Calais is so cheap...

Moto2

It's not that dear
Generally you can get a car +4 on the Portsmouth -LeHavre sailing for less that £300 return in the summer