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Topic: Things to do in Northern France

bestyman

26/9/2012 at 2:58pm
Location: Leeds
Outfit: McLouis Glen 440 Mo

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Hi all,

We are planning our 2nd trip to France in a MH.

On our first trip we spent too much time drivingt to the south coast, spending too much money on diesel and tolls and stuck in the van.

We get bored easily during the day if we have nothing to do. Towards the end of the holiday we were parking at Aires that were walkable into town which suited us better.

We have booked a cheapo ferry (£38 ew) from Dover to Dunkirk on the 5th October to return 2 weeks later. We intend to stop at an Aires at Bruges then head to France (although Germany and Luxemburg are considerations). Possibly staying 2 nights in each location with an hour or two drive to the next stop.

We need things to see and do during the day. Beaches ok (if dog friendly) but not essential. Markets, nice villages and even theme parks/zoos are ok.

Evenings we eat and drink. Good bars essential. We dont want to be in the middle of nowhere.

We are on a budget, so mostly Aires with some ACSI campsites. Dont mind some tolls and the odd tank of diesel.

Any suggestions please. Where ( or what part) should we head for? Any recommendations?

I'm looking for a copy of All the Aires France 3rd edition, any ideas where to get it?

Thanks

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jaiash

26/9/2012 at 3:23pm
Location: nr Derby
Outfit: Phoenix 440+

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Personally I think I'd head west from Dunkirk, Boulogne is worth a day, then there's Dieppe, Fécamp, Honfleur. Inland Lisieux, Rouen. you work across to Bayeaux and the Normandy beaches, plenty to see and do all along that way.
Think you might find many sites closed except maybe some municipals.
Can't help with sites as we haven't traveled that route for some time.
I wouldn't be able to resist a trip to Paris either.....

paul_M

26/9/2012 at 4:40pm
Location: South Yorks
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Likewise, can't suggest any aires but there are plenty and all much of a muchness!

I'd go for one largeish place and then tour locally from there. Dieppe has been suggested and Rouen isn't too far. If you go in the opposite direction then Lille is a great little city with plenty of day trips to nearby towns and villages (there's a good, fairly cheap public transport system); it's also the centre of real French brewing should you prefer beer over wine!

bestyman

26/9/2012 at 5:05pm
Location: Leeds
Outfit: McLouis Glen 440 Mo

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Thanks.

We intended to head around Dieppe and Hornfleur on our first trip but headed south in search of the sun. We did a day in Boulougne ( is that the same as Boulougne sur mer?) on our way back and enjoyed it there.

I didn`t realise many sites closed so will check that out.

Think I will pass on Paris though

Are there any must sees in this area?

Post last edited on 26/09/2012 17:31:04

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franbee

26/9/2012 at 5:35pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan

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If you're at all interested in the war graves, there's a visitor centre at the British Memorial at Thiepval. And when we 'did' it some years back (before the visitor centre was built) there was a museum at Peronne plus a leaflet with a circuit for visiting the different cemeteries. Not as morbid as it sounds, it was interesting.

We enjoyed the Somme estuary too, for cycling and walking. I think you might find slightly better weather more inland though, not as windy.

One holiday we did a circuit of Paris. Beauvais, Chartres, Orleans, Auxerre, Troyes, Rheims. All cities worth visiting.

bofs

27/9/2012 at 12:37am
Location: Cumbria
Outfit: Coachman VIP 520

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I agree that the Somme Bay is worth a day or two and it wasn't windy when we were there earlier this month. I think the steam train may still be running too. We also found the First World War memorial and visitor centre at Thiepval to be extremely informative and moving. The museum in the underground tunnel at Albert was also a worthwhile visit. Amiens is worth a visit too - lovely cathedral. The site at Amiens is a €16 ACSI site open till Oct 14th, with a good bus service into the city centre, and the Chateau des Tilleuls near Abbeville is a €12 ACSI site open till the end of December, though possibly not near enough to the town for your needs.

BobCat10

27/9/2012 at 1:19pm
Location: Wonderful Rural Yorkshire
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Drive further into the middle, Northern France is very English looking.

When you see vines then you are in France.

-------------
CAT

Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Kelper

27/9/2012 at 1:26pm
Location: Northern Ireland
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The whole of the World War I area with trenches, museums etc is well worth spending some time on.
You could consider the Loire ... not too far south, and masses to do and see.

franbee

27/9/2012 at 1:27pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan

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The OP has said they're looking not to travel as far this time, so we've been offering northern attractions, as asked.

Claydoncamper

27/9/2012 at 3:16pm
Location: Bucks
Outfit: Used to have a Pennine Fiesta

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If you get down as far as St Malo, can really recommend the Grand Aquarium.

PeteDeFeet

28/9/2012 at 12:02am
Location: Swindon
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Walled City of St Malo - 1 day, Mont St Michael - 1 day, Normandy landing beaches, could take 3 days, Bayeaux Tapestry + medieval city - 1 day, Le Touquet + Honfleur - 1 day, WW1 Battlefield Tours - could take 3 days

The list goes on.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

bestyman

28/9/2012 at 8:56am
Location: Leeds
Outfit: McLouis Glen 440 Mo

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Thanks very much. I will google all the suggestions

mgbgtv8

29/9/2012 at 7:29pm
Location: Neuvic_Entier France
Outfit: Rapido 7087

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If you get to St Valerie Sur Somme there is some great Seal watching in the Estuary.

Local resturants serve Agnuau pre-sale(salt marsh lamb) try it, then take some home for the freezer, delivering some at Ours on the way through.

John

bestyman

29/9/2012 at 8:38pm
Location: Leeds
Outfit: McLouis Glen 440 Mo

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Cheers John,

Thats a great suggestion. Seal watching by day and lamb eating by night is my type of holiday.

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