Stop- between Calais and the Vendee

[sunlovingcriminal]

Hey- we'll be driving from Calais down to the Vendee region in the summer for our summer hols. Me, dp, & 3 ds (all tweens). Any suggestions on somewhere we could stop en-route to get some lunch and stretch our legs?

The easiest thing is to just stop at one of the many motorway Aires, although not all of them do food. Interesting places to stop near the motorway are Rouen, Le Mans or Angers although you would spend time coming off the motorway and finding a parking space. There is also Alençon, which is a bit smaller so maybe easier to stop at?

I'd stop in Rouen - it's about 2 hours into your journey.

When we've done it, we've taken our own sandwiches and stopped off at one of the Aires on the motorway.

Thanks- bringing a packed lunch is an option- but planning on leaving home early and likely we'll all want a break from the car. Service station seems a good option 👍🏻

Re your packed lunch, just be aware that post-Brexit you can no longer bring any meat or dairy products into France from the UK.

It's very unlikely that you would get a ham sandwich confiscated but if you get selected for a car search then you might be unlucky.

@Parpophone ... oh my! good tip... as i probably would have also brought along a dinner to reheat on night one! so that is good to know! definitely not a picnic or my pre-made chilli con carne then!

Most if not all motorway service stations will have a decent takeaway snack bar selling filled baguettes, pastries and hot and cold drinks, if you don't want to risk your sandwiches or other food being confiscated.
Some options here - www.franceforfamilies.com/travel-options/driving/rest-areas/
We've stopped at the one below and it's nice if the weather is good, it's on part of the marshes of the Baie de Somme but it's probably a little short of Rouen.
www.sanef.com/fr/aire/service/baie-de-somme-autoroute-a16

@sunlovingcriminal

Our trip back from the UK last week wasn't quite the same without the coolbag packed with bacon and sausages

@SiobhanSharpe thanks for the recommendation

@Parpophone

Re your packed lunch, just be aware that post-Brexit you can no longer bring any meat or dairy products into France from the UK.

It's very unlikely that you would get a ham sandwich confiscated but if you get selected for a car search then you might be unlucky.

I never knew this! We've camped for years in France until Covid. So we can't pack up the car with food for the week?

@NCTDN

This is from one of the ferry lines - - lots of info on google.

"Taking food and drink into EU countries
You can no longer take products of animal origin, such as any food or drink contain meat or dairy, or plants and plant products into the EU in your luggage, vehicle, or person. There are certain exemptions to this rule for quantities of powdered infant milk, infant food, confectionary, specialised foods and pet feed. If your item is not exempt, please consume or dispose of these items before reaching the EU border, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted by the EU. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website and view the Exports Fact Sheet for Personal imports from Britain to the EU (pdf)"