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Not sure you would make Reims in 2 hours it may be nearer 4.

St. Quentin is about 110 miles from the port. Just south of junc 11, A26 there is a very large aire with full facilities. Can't comment on how safe it will be.

If you have Google Earth you can see it quite clearly about 2 miles south of Junc 11.

harryb

Hi HarryB.

                I did think about that travelling time,  it's a good 200 miles I would guess to Reims, so you are probably spot on with 4 hours, allowing for a comfort break, although I am told that feeblecat, drives like a bat out of hell lol.

What about doing an overnight at the "Premiere Classe" at Armbouts cappel, just 13 miles South of Dunkerque, and you would be there in time for a slap up evening meal, at the adjacent "Campanile" hotel, for which "Premiere Classe" guests get 15% discount of the meal.

We have done the "Premiere Classe" at Armbouts Cappel, both for our first night, and last night, in France, and it's always been superb.

Can't think of a better way, to start your French holiday, especialy after that long drive from God's country!.

Would the municipal at Laon be any good? nice site.

Anne

Don't bank on them being accessible after 9....we did and couldn't get in and access our pre-booked and paid for rooms at 10.30pm with 3 kids...nightmare! We were later than expected due to a delay at the port and deciding to stop to eat en route.

After trying all our cards (just in case), and much deliberating we discovered we could however pay for another room and gain access, which we had to do!! as a point of interest the hotel are not bothered at this point how many they cram in a room - our friends had 2 kids and put this info into the machine and were given a double room for 2 (they just took in their camp beds for the children).

Apparently, we should have rung them to let them know we were arrving after 9 and they would have given us a 'special' code to use in the automated machine. Nowhere on the documents we had printed out did it state this!

We did try to ring the emergency number posted on the front door when we were stranded outside, but it was an message in French, which was no good to us! (i know we shouldn't expect anything else)

This was in Le Mans.

Hi sallyandalex.

                        Would you like to share with us, which hotel chain that was, as we had a similiar experience with B&B, but "Premiere Classe" has always worked fine.

Don't take my word for it, though!!!!  Looking for hotel rooms whilst on a journey is 'stressful' - as I mentioned in my posts after our last holiday. You're always on the lookout for somewhere to stay, yet wanting to get just a bit further, and hoping desperately that you'll find somewhere with rooms available when you run out of steam!  It's also not easy (without SatNav) to locate some of the budget hotels as they tend to be tucked away in the middle of 'Centre Commercials' or industrial estates.  Aires de Service de Camping Cars may be easier to find, and easier to get a place on - or stay overnight on a motorway Aire - we stayed some years ago on one on the way to Reims, but I couldn't tell you which one, now - it was brand new at the time!

Arriving at that time of night, if you decide on a hotel, I think I'd be inclined to book first, but let them know that you'll be arriving late just in case you need a special code.

Hi Val.

           Know exactly what you mean, back in 2009 we only pre-booked our first and last overnight budget hotels in France, and left the other two to chance, this turned out to be a big mistake, finding room availability, for the other two hotels was a nightmare, and wasted loads of time, although we had a plan B to use the tent for an overnight, but arriving at a campsite at 7pm+ is never a good idea, for just the one night, especialy with anything but a backpacking tent.

Since then we have pre-booked all 4 budget hotels, these days we have a good idea were we will be at, along the journey, and if we do hit a jam, and arrive ending up at the hotel uber late, it's not an issue with the automated check-in systems.

For those looking for a posh budget hotel, I can highly recomend the B&B at Arras, unusualy large bedroom and ensuite for a budget hotel, very nice indeed, and was only built in 2009. also there is a supermarket with Flunch restaurant accros the road, so great for a good cheap evening meal.