Like a seductress Northern France beckons to spend Le Weekend with her. And like any seasoned temptress she has so many compelling reasons to visit . Here are a few of our top tips of things to do and how to get there:
| FOR THE KIDS |
Where: |
Nausicaa, Boulogne |
What: |
Boulogne, France’s premier fishing port is home to Nausicaa, Europe’s biggest aquarium. Nausicaa offers an incredible odyssey of sealife and world eco edutainment under one massive roof. Fang ridden sharks swim menacingly overhead, while stringrays just love to be stroked. Hundreds of oceanic life forms, lots of demonstrations and interactive games keep kids busy and parents fascinated for hours. Afterwards, catch a fish supper at one of Boulogne’s favoured sea-food restaurants Aux Pêcheurs d’Etaples 33 Grande rue
Tel:+ 33 321 00 29 28
Nausicaa, Centre National de la Mer, Boulevard Sainte Beuve, Boulogne-sur-Mer
www.nausicaa.fr |
Who gets you there: |
www.speedferries.com
Tel 0870 22 00 570 |
From/To: |
Dover – Boulogne |
MAKING A SPLASH |
Where: |
Aqualud, Le Touquet |
What: |
Kids can have a splashing time at the gorgeous, lush, tropical, baby friendly Aqualud water park with its black holes, rapids, Jacuzzi’s and wave machine, all with a comfortable water temperature of 29 degrees. Find it on the pristine beach and close to elegant shops and restaurants.
Blvd de Mer, Le Touquet
+33 321 90 07 07
www.aqualud.com |
Who gets you there: |
Lydd Air www.lyddair.com
Tel: 01797 322 207 |
From/To: |
Lydd, Kent (Junction 10 M20) to Le Touquet. Taxi’s from the airport charge around 8 euros for the 10 minute ride into Le Touquet. |
NOT CHAMPAGNE CHARLIES |
Where: |
Piper Heidsieck, Champagne Ardennes |
What: |
Marilyn Monroe once gurgled that a glass of Piper Heidsieck every morning spreads a little warmth. Visit the Piper Heidsieck Champagne House and get a taste of Hollywood – after all Piper is the official bubbly of the Cannes film festival. Cellar tours are in electric cars that pass by extravagantly sculpted walls, strobe lights and surprising special effects – oh and include a commentary on how this celebrated wine is made.
A tour costs 6 euros and includes a glass of Champagne or upgrade to the prestige tour for 10 euros and taste 3 different champagnes.
Boulevard Henry Vasnier, Reims Tel:+33 326 84 43 44
www.piper-heidsieck.com
visit@piper-heidsieck.com |
Who gets you there: |
P&O ferries
www.poferries.com
Tel: 0870 242 4777. |
From/To: |
Dover – Calais then 3 to 4 hour drive along the A25 motorway. |
FOR CHEAPER DESIGNER SHOPPING |
Where: |
Marques Avenue, Coquelles, Calais |
What: |
Bargain hunters should head for the designer factory outlets in Coquelles. Get there in time for the sales in July and August to snap up mega bargains across 57 stores and 80 brands. And if you still have time, nip next door to Cité Europe where more sale bargains await.
Boulevard du Parc , COQUELLES
Tel +33 321 17 07 70.
www.marquesavenue.com |
Who gets you there: |
Eurotunnel – ½ hour train journey and a 2 minutes sign posted drive
www.eurotunnel.com
08705 35 35 35 |
From/To: |
Folkestone – Calais |
HISTORY BUFFINS |
Where: |
Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux, nr Caen |
What: |
The famous 70m Bayeux Tapestry which hangs in the Centre Guillaume Le Conquerant in the quaint Norman village of Bayeux has 11th century history all sown up – think William the Conqueror and the conquest of England. It’s a stunning piece of work in muted reds, greens and blues shown over 58 scenic panels. But be prepared, as some of the depicted events may be a little different to the version you learned at history class.
Rue de Nesmond, Bayeux
www.bayeux-tourism.com |
Who gets you there: |
Brittany Ferries
www.brittanyferries.com |
From/To: |
Portsmouth – Caen |
BUCKET AND SPADES |
Where: |
Dieppe |
What: |
Dieppe is a pretty coastal town with quaint café -speckled coastal roads and fine pebble beaches. The attractive sandy western end of the beach was birthplace to the skinny dipping fad started in 1806 by Duchesse de Barry. Think of it as Brighton a la France but replace Brighton rock with Sucre de Pommes - apple suger sticks - and fish and chips with Dieppe’s famous St Jacques scallops.
www.dieppetourisme.com |
Who gets you there: |
Transmanche Ferries
www.transmancheferries.com
0800 917 12 01 |
From/To: |
Newhaven - Dieppe |
TEE-TIME FOR GOLFERS |
Where: |
Cote d’Opal, Northern France |
What: |
Golfers can have a swinging time on a golf-crawl break at Northern France’s famed golf courses. Start at Dunkirk, then tee off at Hardelot, St Omer, Arras, Wimereux and Le Touquet all within a short drive of each other. A two week golf pass costs 150 euros and gives access to 6 golf courses.
www.golfencotedopale.com
Tel +33 321 10 34 60 |
Who gets you there: |
Norfolkline. www.norfolkline.com |
From/To: |
Dover – Dunkirk |
FOR YOUR INNER PILGRIM |
Where: |
Mont St Michel |
What: |
About 1000 years ago Archangel Michael appeared in a dream to Bishop of Avranches telling him to build a chapel on a rocky granite island surrounded by inhospitable waters. It took 400 years to complete but as a pilgrimage sight of rising spiralling narrow cobbled streets, staircases and ramparts nothing beats it and as a silhouette, it is awesome especially at night when the tide is in and the mount is lit up. Monks still live in the chapel at its apex and you can hear the choir bellow out their gospel tunes.
Access by car is via a causeway.
Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel, 50116 Le Mont Saint-Michel
Tel: +33 (0) 2 33 60 14 30
Website: www.monum.fr/m_stmichel/indexa.dml |
Who gets you there: |
Condor Ferries
Car + 2 adults + 2 Children - from £34.50 per person each way
Based on a fare from £276
Fare valid from 3 July - 4 September
Upgrade to Club Class: £18.50 per person each way
Reclining seats: £4.50 per person each way
www.condorferries.com
Tel: 0845 641 0210 |
From/To: |
Poole or Weymouth to St Malo – Journey time 4 ½ hours |
