France?

[toasty]

Chaps,

Thinking of taking the misses to France for the weekend, some time in the next few weeks.

I've never been myself, can just about speak the lingo from my GCSE days, and like cheese and wine so should enjoy myself.

I don't do a lot of foreign travel, prefer personally to stay here in the UK, have probably only been abroad 3 or 4 times max in my life.

Anyway, I think She'd like it so thought I'd organise a little outing, might earn me some brownie points too

So, where's the best place to go? Will be going for a Weekend (leave Friday eve, back Sunday eve) so I guess no where too far in.
I'll drive over, and we'd be looking for nice restuarants and a bit of night life, plus things to do during the day.

Also, what's the best way to get there? Presumably I can book on-line, so URLs are handy for that if you have them.

I suppose I can arrange accomodation when we get there? Shouldn't be too busy this time of year (I'll wait until after half term)

Thanks for any advice in advance,
Cheers

[wazza]

I guess it depends on where you cross the channel.

If you are doing Dover - Calais, I would suggest Lille - lovely place, nightlife too and you could pop over to Belgium to get the good lady some chocolates and your self some beer!
Portsmouth - Caen and stay in Caen - nice in the summer around the harbour area
Portsmouth - St Malo and stay in St Malo/Dinard - great town and sample the oysters at Cancale

http://www.cheap-ferry-ticket-finder.co.uk for cheap crossings.
http://www.accorhotels.com are a big hotel chain in France covering most budgets.
http://www.welcomecottages.co.uk if you want a nice cosy cottage (not usually near nightlife and you have to cook for yourself)

Hope it helps.

[Joshie]

At this time of year coatal resorts like Deauville are a bit quiet although tend to start picking up from Easter onwards - they're really busy in July and August.

The Champagne region is great - you can do the tours of the Vinyards - the food is cheaper than Paris and great quality.

Or there is Paris of course - You have a choice of hotels from a Formule 1 at about 40 Euros a night up to whatever in the Chanps Elysees. Loads to do here including Disneyland!

Bookings online with Eurotunner or Hoverspeed - think we recently paid about £130 for a three day ticket.

Have a great time

[fatcat]

We have been to Brugge quite a few times, very romantic and a great place to walk around. Not to far from Calais.
Brugge gets my vote.

[wazza]

We have been to Brugge quite a few times, very romantic and a great place to walk around. Not to far from Calais.
Brugge gets my vote.

Not exactly France though, is it Pete?

[Joshie]

No but you could do both - Brugge has a couple of good Irish pubs and it is lovely of you like Churches and stuff like Moules et Frites.

[johneroberts]

Le Touquet is the place to go, a real taste of Normandy and not too far from Calais, or if you really wanna impess her Reims (Pronounced Rance)
go to the Contenental Hotel, spend a superb night in superb surrounding and great food.
Cheers
jr

[fatcat]

We have been to Brugge quite a few times, very romantic and a great place to walk around. Not to far from Calais.
Brugge gets my vote.

Not exactly France though, is it Pete?

Not quite Paul, but close enough....... and you get a mind boggling selection of Belgium beers....

[dog]

Mount St Michelle is a must. It was featured in Monthy Python as well.

[sitas3]

I've been to Le Touquet as JR suggests also - the circa hour drive down the coast from Calais is rather good..

[JamesB]

IMHO you can't beat Paris. I lived there for a couple of years and loved it from start to finish. You've got hotels and restaurants to fit every budget (I'd bet loads of people on the forum have a favourite place they'd recommend) and it doesn't take too long from Calais, depending on how keen you are to put your foot down.