2 Hours from Calais.

[derekpara]

Apart from Bruges, where would you recommend I go for a few days within no more than 2 hours drive from Calais ?
Interests ? History & Culture, good restaurants and touristy features, sea views. Not necessarily all of these together ! But not too noisy.

Thanks

[Buenchico]

My suggestion doesn't have any sea views but it's got everything else!

A beautiful old town area, with stunning architecture (which can be admired while dining - or simply drinking - au terrasse at one of the many superb restaurants and bars) and an art museum (with cheap admission and no queues) that houses some of the finest masterpieces in the world.

Where is it? Lille, of course! (It's just 70 miles from Calais):
http://www.lilletourism.com/uk#

Chris

[Scylax]

Another suggestion: try Ypres (or Ieper), less than 2 hrs.
from Calais, on v. good roads. It is a beautiful old city
of great charm, and is the centre to visit if you have any
interest in the First World War. It has superb museums,
the famous Cloth Hall, Hellfire Corner, Sanctuary Wood,
and the Menin Gate where at 8p.m. every night the
Last Post is played under the archway, by buglers.
The infamous Passchendale (a bloodbath of 1917)
is just up the road, as is Tyne Cot war cemetary.
Suggest you stay nearby in Poperingh, at the
Amphora Hotel in the marketplace, or the De Kring hotel.
Visit Talbot House (Toc H) just off the square. You'll
be very welcome.
I've been to the Ypres area about a dozen times, and
need to go again, as I haven't yet seen all of its
historic attractions.
Incidentally, the local beers are probably the best in
Europe. Bon Voyage

[derekpara]

Thanks Chris
I visited Lille for an hour once, when I was passing through , but it seems well worth a longer stay.

[derekpara]

Thanks to you too, Skylax

I go solo to Ypres every November for Armistice Day and agree with everything you say about it. Trouble is, Mrs Para isn't interested in history, especially military history, and I think you will agree that Ypres has a slight connection there !

Thanks anyway.
Derek

[JK2]

What about Boulogne - 20mins drive from Calais - old town, seaside resort.

Reims is 2hrs 15mins drive according to the internet.

[Dee Sa]

Went to Lille on Eurostar in Dec one year and really liked it, shopping was good too. nice old town to stroll around.