Where should I break the journey to France?

[babybouncer]

We're planning to go to Brittany on the channel tunnel in the summer, but as we're travelling with a 2 year old and we live in the Midlands, we've decided we should probably split the journey up by staying overnight in a hotel. So my question is, which side of the channel should we stay? We'll probably give DS a bath and put him in PJs then drive down to Dover while he sleeps and I had thought we would sleep this side, then get up and have breakfast i the queue for/in the Tunnel. Is there anywhere to buy food there?

It's a long haul from the tunnel to Brittany. I'd be tempted to break on the French side, probably after a couple of hours driving.

Pop it in to viamichelin.fr to see how long the drive will be. You'll be able to see the route which will give you an idea of where to stop too.

The good thing about the tunnel is that as you don't get out of the car there's a chance he'll sleep the whole time, whereas the next day he's likely to be awake for a long drive!

Have you booked yet? If not it maybe quicker to travel to Portsmouth and get one of the fast ferries to France.

We have done the channel tunnel and driven to Brittany with young children. I agree with fling about staying the night on the french side as it is a long journey from Calais to Brittany. We got up, breakfasted and small DD's slept for a good 2 hours of the drive there. We live in Yorkshire and although it was a huge slog to get over to France in 1 day it was worth it.
Kyriad hotels are always good value and there are a number of them on the way to Brittany.
Hope you are not going on the 1st August as thats the busiest time on the roads. Took us double the time to get to Brittany as we forgot about the annual French holiday start date.

I'd get over to France, then sleep. Then you can get up in the morning in a more leisurely fashion and not worry about having to catch the train.

Thanks - that's definitely decided it!

Lizcat - we're using Tesco vouchers for the tunnel, so the ferry isn't really an option this time.

book the tunnel asap as the tesco allocation can run out inthe holidays. google the bison fute website for busy french travel days.

Yes i reckon break on the French side too.

Have a lovely trip !! !!

We are in the midlands and would always stop on the French side rather than UK. With an early start and a short break before getting on the M25 you could look at having lunch in the tunnel. We have been doing this since DCs were small as it helps pass the time. We always take a pack up - kept in the body of the car as once on the tunnel the cars are squeezed up so it isnt possible to open the boot.

Where are you heading in Brittany?

DH and I have taken our family on the Plymouth to Roscoff overnight ferry.....

Roughly 3hrs 45min from Birmingham and then sail from Plymouth at 10pm.....arriving in France at 7am. We had a clean family room with en-suite, tv etc (think priemier inn style) and the sailing prevented the need for a seperate overnight stay. We then only had a short drive in the morning.

We have stayed here - not far from Calais. Much nicer than a chain hotel.

www.hotel-lescale.com/modulosite2/accueil.htm

frenchfancy - we have stayed there and also can highly recommend it, a very nice restaurant.