Hi, Planning A Driving Day Trip To France..........

[keyplus90]

We are planning to go to Calais for a day trip with kids during the half term in the middle of Feb. Main attraction is ferry that children like but once on the other side, where can one go? We have few hours between 9:00 AM to 18:00. We have already been to Boulogne. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[VHG]

Are you going by car? Make sure your car insurance covers you for trips abroad, you may have to pay a little extra.

There is a HUGE shopping centre (cite Europe) just as you come out of the tunnel in Calais.

Or search the web for ideas like I did (and found this).

http://www.calais-guide.co.uk/
Or you could drive round counting all the illegal immigranrts waiting to smuggle their way into the UK.

[Buenchico]

Why not drive up to Ostend? It's about 1¼ hours away, and it's an easy 60 mile drive on good roads.

Ostend is great for families (even in February!):
http://www.visitoostende.be/en

[EcclesCake]

Le Touquet is a popular destination, possibly better in the summer though.

[jno]

don't forget the new regulations - I think you have to have a reflective jacket and a breathalyser in the car (not just the boot) plus the old warning triangle

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf

I expect you can buy all these at the departure port

[Buenchico]

They're available on board the ferries, Jno.

There's a full list of compulsory equipment here:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/compulsory_equipment.pdf

[mushroom25]

whilst you say you've been to boulogne, have you been to nausicaa? which sounds like it might be a museum of being sick, but is actually the national aquarium....
http://www.nausicaa.fr/

[mushroom25]

.......actually if either of you are smokers, chris's suggestion of ostend is a good one, since you'd be driving through adinkerke, which notwithstanding recent tax increases, is still "tobacco central" - it's still possible to make a saving of nearly £30 on a pack of 200 B&H, for example.

[emmie]

take the sickness pills too, as i recall this can be a little choppy on route.

[BlueToffee]

How old are the children?

Eperlecques bunker is worth a visit, and there are some wonderful restaurants where lunch can take between 2 and 2 1/2 hours.

Oh, and breathalyser kits are not compulsory yet, the legislation has recently been postponed indefinitely.

[naomi24]

Dunkirk (Dunkerque) is an interesting town, and a very easy drive from Calais.

[keyplus90]

Nice replies so far, Thanks to everyone. I will make two women (My wife and daughter) in my house all of the choices where to go. And they quite like going through websites and therefore websites given here by all of my friends would be passed on.

Chris, thanks for the information about required items. That did tell me how much it has changed in just over a year. I do have few but will buy other stuff.

[murraymints]

J`espere Que vous auriez un bon jour....

[Im a BusyBee]

Dont forget it not just ONE reflective jacket but one per person travelling in the car - and as said before they must be in the car and not the boot. Spare bulbs as well, and if it will be dark while you are there dont forget the light deflectors. I love le touquet and i bet your 'women' will love the shops there! its well worth a visit. The whole coast road back to Calais i find enjoyable, there are promenade walks, places for coffee and other scenic walks too.

[keyplus90]

Thank Busy, but that is a bit confusing now. I have already bought ONE reflective jacket as in the link given by Chris (Buenchico) number 11 says "In France drivers must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle".

I take that as I only need one jacket. Am I wrong?

[Buenchico]

Busy Bee is one of our most-travelled members (based on the number of her posts that I've answered here!) but I think that she's wrong in this case.

The AA website and the official French government tourism site refer only to a single reflective jacket:
http://us.franceguide.com/Practical-Information/While-in-France/On-the-move/Renting-a-Car-and-Driving-in-France.html?nodeID=130&EditoID=200132

The P&O website confirms that, while the Societe Prevention Routiere recommends one jacket per occupant, it's not actually a legal requirement:
http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/routes_travel_information_what_to_take_driving_in_Europe.htm

[keyplus90]

Thanks Chris, I thought so but it is always better to hear from someone who knows better. I have bought two jackets any. I bought few things from that website you gave (AA) and then found another jacket at Lidl for only 1.99. Hurrah. Thanks to all of you.

[Khandro]

naomi; Dunkerque interesting!!! I wouldn't make that suggestion to my worst enemy.
keyplus; Prior to your visit make sure your children know the historical facts behind the story of the Burghers of Calais, it is a great 'existentialist' story. Then take them to see Rodin's magnificent sculpture outside the ugly Town Hall. I know there is a copy by the House of Parliament but this is where it was created for. Try to enthuse them to make some simple drawings from parts of it- trying to draw it all would be far, far, too demanding. This is one of the world's greatest sculptures, and they will remember it for the rest of their lives.
There are some good restaurants across the bridge, but it isn't as nice as old Boulogne.

[keyplus90]

Thanks Khandro, We will have alook at that. My kids are quite good at history and I am sure they would now a bit about it.