Mini Guides: Pommie Travels’ Adventure to France

January 17, 2018

Ever feel like you just want to get away and immerse yourself in another culture? The opportunity could be closer than you think, as Victoria from Pommie Travels discovered when we invited her to head over the Channel to explore northern France.

 

The Channel crossing

Victoria was able to enjoy the comfort of the Premium Lounge on her way over, taking advantage of the complimentary refreshments before heading up on deck to snap a photo of the White Cliffs of Dover – a ‘must’ for many passengers as they sail out of the port! This crossing takes around 90 minutes, and it wasn’t long before Victoria was back in her car and driving to her first destination.

 

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Victoria’s Itinerary

Recques-sur-Hem

  • A 15-minute drive from the port in Calais
  • Chateau de Cocove – a stunning 18th century building set in 11 hectares of grounds

Travel tip: Make driving from the UK to France easy with an RAC Driving in France Kit, which gives you breathalyzers, headlamp converters and everything that’s legally required for vehicles.

 

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Boulogne-sur-Mer

  • Boulogne War Memorial, commemorating those from the town who gave their life in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the war in Indochina (1946 – 1954) and in Algeria (1954 – 1962).
  • Chateau de Boulogne-sur-Mer, a moated castle built in the 13th century, home to the Boulogne Museum.
  • Basilica of Notre-Dame de Boulogne which has a 101m high dome and was built in the 1800s. Although it was positioned on the site of the medieval cathedral of Boulogne, and the basilica is known locally as a cathedral, the current building has never had the church status.
  • Nausicaa (National Sea Centre) one of the best and largest aquariums in Europe.

Travel tip: Many local restaurants close on Sundays, except for Restaurant de la Haute-Ville which served food all day including delicious smoked fish and caramelised apple for dessert.

 

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What else to see?

There are lots of fantastic places to explore in northern France, many within easy reach of the ferry port at Calais. Here are some more great places to add to your itinerary:

  • Parc Naturel Regional des Caps et Marais d’Opale – This regional park surrounds Boulogne, and is home to much natural beauty and idyllic countryside, perfect for rambling and cycling holidays.
  • Lille – One of France’s most exciting cities is just an hour and fifteen minutes’ drive from Calais, and is home to some stunning architecture and attractions, including Lille Cathedral, the Citadel, and the Palais des Beaux-Arts, a stunning gallery second only to the Louvre in Paris.
  • Arras – This charming city is home to the Wellington Tunnels, a vast and secret underground network of caverns used during the First World War, and now a fascinating and moving museum.
  • Vimy Memorial – Just north of Arras is another incredible WWI site, and Canada’s largest overseas national memorial. The site also includes trench lines and the original battle site of Vimy Ridge.

 

Take a look at Pommie Travels full account of her trip, for more details and inspiration ahead of your own adventure to Northern France.

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