May go North, may go South - any tips for France?

ChattingLil

ChattingLil

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We off in a couple of weeks for our holiday. Intending to try for Holland again after not making it last year, but we may go South instead. I've not been further than Calais - any recommendations or 'see while you're there' please?
 
Blog (Bolougne) is very easy to get into and accessible at all states of the tide. The town itself is very pretty and the supermarket is walkable... (just follow the river and you see it on the LHS). Downside is the mud smells at low water.

Dieppe is the next all weather. In between is Le Touquet/Etaples, but it is tide locked (over sand flats). I am not brave enough.


I would be concerned about Calais what with the migrants trying to get into the UK. I would not want to park up on the town side of the basin.
 
The usual destination for us in the '80s when we had a 26' boat and two weeks holiday, was Honfleur. We would go Boulogne, Dieppe, Fecamp, Honfleur. On the way back we would do Le Havre, St Valery en Caux (great place), Dieppe, maybe Le Tréport (think of French Ramsgate), Boulogne. This allows you to reach the tidal harbours on a rising tide, except Fecamp which is less critical. It's A lovely cruise and with prevailing winds usually easy to achieve.

With three weeks, one has time to visit Deauville and up the canal to Caen via Ouistreham. I can't think of the last place without being reminded of a sea cadet we met and asked where he'd been. Somewhere beginning with W was his reply.
 
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Definitely Boulogne, great port easier access and better facilities than Calais. I don't like Dieppe as it is expensive and the fishermen along the sea wall object to you going in and out and make for an unpleasant experience.
St Valerie en Caux is pleasant but only accessible an hour either side of HW.
My favourite port it Fecamp. outstanding seafood, particularly Bulot, and the Tarte Normandy in the Restaurant Plaisance well soaked in Calvados is a once in a lifetime experience, although I have had it more than once. And don't forget the Benedictine Monastery.
Everything beyond that is full of people from the Solent. But Cherbourg is a winner in my mind as it has a free anchoring area if you need a sleep.
 
tillergirl said:
We are planning St Valerie sur Somme in July after overnighting in Bolougne.
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I think 1981 was the last time we were there. We made the mistake of doing it on our way home, when the tides don't work. It is easier to leave and go west to Dieppe. Very nice place though and I remember buying a bottle of Mersault there for about £2, which was cheap even then.

Dieppe is less fun than in the days when we locked into the fishing harbour and the boat train came past. The marina is a nuisance but the town is quite nice and the castle worth a visit. We have always found Le Newhaven near the marina very reliable for good but non-posh eating.

Don't be afraid of St Valery en Caux. You can enter after half tide and use a waiting buoy. They are very welcoming in the office usually and there are good walks around. The 51st Highland division memorial is also worth seeing. This is where they were pummelled by Rommel, who flattened the main town.
 
tillergirl said:
We are planning St Valerie sur Somme in July after overnighting in Bolougne.
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I quite fancy that, but it does look scary. I've been to the town by car and it's well worth the visit. Looking at the marina website, there seems to be plenty of water on the outside pontoons.

This thread may well shape my summer plans.
 
We usually go to Boulogne -positives as said by others - also there are fresh fish sellers opposite the marina.
Fecamp is another favourite. Great seafood. Go to the top of the hill the other side of the harbour entrance and see the WW2 fortifications and great views up and down the coast.
Dieppe - as said, is expensive. However, you can hire bikes there. We were given the worlds shortest finger pontoon which also sank when the person who took the rope off stepped on it. We motored somewhere else until the harbourmaster offered something more suitable.
St Vaast - lock in and then it's a really lovely place with a famous deli/wine store. Lots to see and eat everywhere.
Cherbourg - we found soulless and a bit of a hike to any sort of shop. Only good as a 'waiting for the tide' spot to head to or from Guernsey. You can anchor outside the marina though I believe.
If going to Guernsey, try Beaucette in the north west rather than the yellow welly infested multiple rafted St Peter Port.
 
Gravelines - pretty town, friendly marina, nice beaches, good food, supermarket nearby. Access is about +/- HW3. One of SWMBO's favourites.
 
Never had a problem in Calais, been there every year (except this year) since 2001 and no more migrants to be seen than in London. Le Grand Bleu is a great and not too expensive restaurant on the Fish Quay.

Graveline is lovely.

If head up to Holland, Breskens is very convenient for access. Stellendam is very nice too.
 
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Alchemist V274 said:
Never had a problem in Calais, been there every year (except this year) since 2001 and no more migrants to be seen than in London. Le Grand Bleu is a great and not too expensive restaurant on the Fish Quay.

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Good to hear.. Calais is one of my favourate places... yes it is a bit diwn at heel, but like Brightlingsea it has a lovely feel.
 
Tomahawk said:
Good to hear.. Calais is one of my favourate places... yes it is a bit diwn at heel, but like Brightlingsea it has a lovely feel.
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Were there by car about 10 days ago. All the migrants were up by the autoroute where there was a special police op in progress - lorries backed up onto the autoroute and being attacked at the rear while the cops were at the front. We 'dined' down by the marina and it was its usual tranquil state and no migrants to be seen - not many French either.
 
I have the second two weeks of July off and Picardy (inc Saint Val sur Somme) is looking good to me!
Probably do Calais, Boulogne, and Saint Val.
Anyone know if this coincides with school hols over there, in other words will it be busy?
 
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