Where is nice in France, that we can drive to from Calais?

[TeaspoonPocket]

I'm planning a family holiday to France, we want to take the car on the ferry. Worked out a plan involving overnight sailing, then drive to Loire valley, but autistic ds has just said he's not happy with having to sleep on a ferry, so now I'm having to rethink.

I think the best option is maybe to go Dover-Calais? It's a bit out of our way but would be a quick crossing. But I don't know France at all! Is there anywhere within 2-3 hours of Calais that you would recommend as a good holiday spot?

There are lots of lovely places on the coast from Calais and into Normandy. Then there's the Belgian coast which has amazing sandy beaches. Into the Netherlands is nice with lots of little islands. Then there's the Ardennes... Lots of options and lots of Center Parcs within 3 hours of Calais too if that's your thing.

Update:

Thanks again for all the advice. I managed to book daytime ferries Portsmouth - Caen, then Cherbourg - Poole, with a cabin to retreat to on the longer route as suggested.

I found accommodation near Bayeux that ticked all the boxes and even comes with a cat so the kids are very happy! That peninsula looks lovely.

This took me HOURS to organise, fingers crossed it all goes smoothly...

Sounds good. We had a lovely holiday near Bayeux a few years ago and it's an easy drive from both Caen and Cherbourg. We even had great weather!

Hoorah! Well done and good luck. Hope all goes smoothly. I'm sure you know this already but do remember to pack some familiar favourite foods (on our first trip to France my son wouldn't have any milk because we hadn't taken the particular brand of oat milk he's used to!)

That's a nice part of France. There is a lot of WW2 history around there - the Caen museum is a poignant history of D Day and the battle of Normandie

The museum - Mémorial de Caen (memorial-caen.com)

There's the British cemeteries and US cemeteries, St Mere Eglise with the parachutist hanging from it and the beaches themselves.

Barfleur is lovely.

Pegasus Bridge is worth visiting and moving. Deauville/Trouville is a traditional seaside resort if you fancy a day out.

Ooooh, the cat! That always makes me happy 😻

We went by car to lake Annecy last year. En route there we stopped at Troyes. On the way back we stayed in Beaune. Both MN recommendations and both stunners!

Annecy is lovely. We’ve stopped at Troyes but not Beaune. Will consider that next time.

Annecy is lovely but a fair old drive from the north coast.

Another vote for Honfleur and Pont-Audemer

Normandy is a lovely place, but I went in the summer for three weeks once, and it was generally cool, grey and fairly raining. There were about 2 warm days. I hadn’t expected it to be particularly hot, but had expected a bit more sunshine and warmth!

I'd do Plymouth over night ferry on a nice cabin to Roscoff then either southern Brittany (2 ish hours) or vendee or La Rochelle area. Depending on how much of a long drive long drive is

Yes, fabulous beach and many nice shops, good bars and restaurants.
A very easy hour or so's drive from Calais

Also Honfleur, very pretty, and classy Deauville.

Great suggestions here

St Valery in Picardy is lovely, not far from.Calais. it is on an estuary and river, really lovely place. There is a holiday park there too.

Another vote for le touquet- upmarket town, pretty, nice shops and restaurants plus really big long sandy beach with various activities on it

Ps And from le touquet you can do a day trip by train to somewhere like Amiens which has some historic buildings eg cathedral type stuff

OP I know you have long booked but I have had several summer holidays near Bayeaux and it’s a lovely area and definitely where I would have recommended as a not far from day crossing, relaxing holiday. Lovely beaches and WWII stuff is v interesting, museums and graves etc. You could do a day trip to Honfleur too. Weather usually nice in summer. It can rain but usually not all week!

Just to add that Zoo de Jurques is also a good zoo to visit in that region if you need a second zoo option! Lovely area to visit.

Oh yes, the zoo is great!

Do people have any tips for driving with a UK car in continental Europe? I keep considering these types of holidays but the driving with the wheel on the wrong side putts me off.

The great thing about France is that it's so big - and less crowded than the UK. So there are lovely quiet roads. Driving is easier as it's less busy.

My tip is not to rush. We did a trip last year with nice stops for a long lunch and a walk in some lovely towns by rivers. Very lazy and relaxing.