Short break in France, any suggestions?

[ginjenny]

We’re looking to do a short break in Sept/Oct but looking for somewhere roughly within about an hour’s drive of Calais! We’ve done Lille, Rouen, Bruges and just would like somewhere that’s interesting to see and has lots of different supermarkets! I love a French supermarket! Thank you

Amiens is lovely. Waterfront at Saint Leu, cathedral quarter, a boat trip round the amazing market gardens (hortillonnages), - and the wider Somme area if you need more to see (the First World War battlefields and cemeteries in the vicinity are fascinating).

Or if the latter is of interest, hop across the border into Belgium instead and try Ieper (Ypres) obliterated by shelling in WW1 but rebuilt so you would never guess - this is where the Menin Gate is, you can watch the Last Post ceremony every night. Even if you don't think you're into military history, it's impossible not to get sucked into the personal stories of the conflict.

Le Touquet

If it’s in October are chilly autumnal walks your thing?

If not a cheap flight to Nice is not much longer or expensive than crossing the channel and then driving on the other side.

That opens up Antibes, St Paul de Vence and the surrounding area.

I would also suggest Le Touquet. It's about 45 minutes from Calais.

Thank you for those suggestions, I’ll look into all of them!

If you could do the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry instead Dieppe is actually a pretty town. When we lived in Brighton we would often go for the weekend as foot passengers. All the restaurants along the old harbour are nice.

I had the most amazing seafood lunch in Le Touquet for my 30th birthday so would recommend that as well.