Recommendations 5 hours from Calais

[Dansin]

We're looking for inspiration for a weeks jaunt at the beginning of June. We're at a wedding on the Friday in Ashford so will tunnel across on Saturday, late morning. It'll be in the cage with a 2 year old and a seven month pregnant wife so I reckon five hours is going to be the limit.

We'll probably get a villa, preferably with a pool or a beach nearby. Some nice restaurants, some nice scenery. If we weren't hobbled by time constraints we'd be in Pezenas in Languedoc, so anywhere a bit old, a bit quaint, a bit quiet. We stayed in Reims on our way back the last time we were over there on the bike and liked it.

Any recommendations gratefully received.

 

[E. Buygum]

Honfleur, trips to Rouen, Bayeux, Normandy stuff and back via Le Havre? I like this area a lot and love Languedoc, especially Pezenas, if that's any indication.

 

[Wapping]

You want sea and a not too exacting ride.

So, you'll be looking at anything from the Dutch coast, round to the bottom edge of the Brittany peninsular.

The sea may not be that warm, not least at the Channel / Atlantic are not that warm until August. How about something with a pool, instead?

Coastline? The north French coast has some excellent beaches which, due to the big tide, often have miles of sand or shallow paddling. Further round to Normandy and Brittany, you get rocks and rock pools, quite good fun.

Loads of gites to hire. Visit Gites de France website, who are very helpful on the phone.

 

[Fanum]

Alencon is nice, and it has a lot of places within easy reach...Mont St Michel is a good day out and a pretty place to go, and there are a good few Chateux around the Normandy area.

You're only 20 miles north of Le Mans for dad stuff too

 

[Giles]

If you count yer 5 hours from calais, push on a bit and don't stop I reckon you'd make La Rochelle. (just!)

Great beaches and lots to do ...

 

[MarkShelley]

I seem to remember La Suisse Normande being surprisingly scenic.

 

[Wapping]

http://about-france.com/tourism/french-seaside-coast.htm. You might find this useful.


This too. http://www.francethisway.com/tourism/france-beach.php

 

[BAKERMAN]

http://www.premierinn.com/en/justBr...rchModel.searchTerm=Portsmouth&DCMP=KNC_D_BND

 

[Dansin]

Thanks all. That's given us something to go at. Honfleur and Alencon both look nice so we're going to check them out. Some good links Wapping, thank you. @ Giles - La Rochelle is lovely but just a bit too far for us I think.

 

[johnnyboy]

Bagnoles-de-L'orne is worth a visit, nice part of France with plenty of hotels to choose, there is also a campsite if that is your prefence.