Last Minute - Places to stay D-Day / WW1

[Rasher]

Me and a mate have a crossing booked for this weekend, originally for a bit of a juant with a few other bikes, but the numbers have dwindled and weather forecasts in the original location are not great so were thinking of reducing the trip to 2 nights and not going so far.

The idea is now to stay closer to Calais and either visit some WW1 sites around Arras / Amiens, or visit the D-Day landing sites.

Any recomendations of simple places to stay welcome, just want clean room and somewhere to park a couple of bikes, not too bothered as long as within 3 hours from Calais, and close enough to either some major WW1 Sites or the D-Day Landing beaches.

Arras / Amiens / Saint Quentin look about right for WW1.

Le-havre / Caen about right for D-Day.

I have heard of the internet, but it tends to bring up more of the larger Hotels, if anyone knows of any small independants I would rather use them than book via Hotels.com.

 

[wildbeeste]

The Somme

You could try these people
http://www.orchardfarmsomme.com/
Martin was an expert on the antiquesroadshow and worked for the armoury.
He also has passed the snipers course for the British Army
Their place is full of machine guns etc It was rebuilt on old German trench line
You may smell the pipe tobacco of the resident ghost. (we did)
Great location for day trips out
Bikes parked under cover
Food is not bad
Added advantage he speak English and loves to talk about the area

 

[wideparting]

http://www.lesballastieres.com/

 

[Glyno]

Try Arras itself, plenty of places to stay and you wont have a problem getting in at this time of year. Good bars and eateries to boot.

 

[Rasher]

Thanks guys, the plug has been pulled now, but we will be going later in the summer and I really want to try some of the closer parts of France instead of my usual rush to the Alps / Pyrenees / Black Forest.

 

[Wapping]

Why not still go?

The Bank Holiday Weekend hasn't been cancelled, has it?

 

[paul08]

I was in the Somme in early May (Staying in Auchonvillers) and had a fantastic time. The area around Albert/Peronne is well worth visiting.
- I particularly liked the Delville Woods and the South African Memorial/museum there.

 

[Rasher]

Why not still go?

The Bank Holiday Weekend hasn't been cancelled, has it?

No but every other bike has dropped out, including the fella who organised it and had chosed the original locations.

I have limited cash and don't get paid holiday so would rather re-schedule and earn some extra dosh instead of riding around in the rain on my own.

If I was still to go I would probably take the Mrs, but she has already made other plans for Saturday so it is far easier to just knock it on the head and save my tyres / fuel for another weekend - the season is only just beginning

 

[Wapping]

Good points, well made

Though some might claim 'the season' never stops

 

[Rasher]

Though some might claim 'the season' never stops

Only for the worst of weather for me, but certainly prefer the nicer weather, and rather than getting soaked in Europe yesterday I had a great afternoon in perfect weather riding around deserted lanes and the odd dirt track.

Discovered I could not upgrade my five day saver from Eurotunnel to use for my two week trip in July, so I moved it to the end of August, so have a spare crossing to use on another weekend