Arriving into Calais - Where should we go?

[Rococo01]

Hi!

Was hoping to pick your brain please.

Family of six planning to drive across into France in August for the first time. We have 9 days for our holiday. We are 2 adults and 4 children; 4-11yrs. Budget of £2k max but very happy to spend less!

Any recommendations of where to go? Not sure whether to keep to Northern France to minimise travel, travel West or whether the long journey south is worth it for a short-ish trip (if we had a fortnight I might venture further!). Ideally the minimum amount of travel for good weather, sandy beaches and pools with slides/ splash park. Recommendations of location and or Accomodation options appreciated!

Have been browsing Eurocamp/ TripAdvisor / booking.com but thought I’d ask for words of wisdom or recommendations.

Many thanks,
R

What is that budget meant to cover?

• Accommodation?
• Food? (What mix of restaurants/cooking for yourself, if you can get accommodation with a kitchen?)
• Petrol and road tolls?
• Crossing the Channel?
• Entrance to attractions etc?

If it's "all of that" then £2k for 9 days is going to be very tight indeed.

Imagine the same holiday in the UK — what would you be budgeting for that? Then plan to pay about the same in France. The system-built hotels on the edges of most towns are quite cheap (think Travelodge but with flimsier beds), but you will need two rooms every time you stop.

£2k in August won't get you far. It's the month all the French are on hols. You can't get more peak season than August.

Thank you for your replies. £2k for accommodation only for 7nts. Hopefully. We’re thinking we might do Disney for the last couple of days.

For a week I would not want to go much further south than Normandy or Brittany to be fair. Domaine Des Ormes? https://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/campsites/france/brittany/domaine-des-ormes-campsite Should be doable for just under 2k in August. Eurocamp also do here, plus direct booking. If you have 9 days and don't mind a longer drive - I can recommend Les Peneyrals and St Avit Loisirs in the Dordogne. Weather is likely to be warmer. Stop overnight each way in Normandy/Loire

If you go at the end of August and book directly with a French campsite/company it should keep accommodation costs down as a lot of French holiday makers are on their way home by mid August. Last week in August is usually the cheapest week in August

For weather it's usually suggested to be below the Loire to guarantee the weather but that would make it a longish drive for a week

Unsure if accommodation would be within your budget for August, but if you can get to Le Touquet even for a day I'd highly recommend. It's roughly an hour south of Calais but has the most beautiful white beach. My husband and I have been twice and love it there!

I know you mentioned only France, but Bruges is only about an hour and a half from Calais if you wanted to head East

Look up Pierre et Vacances residences, they are brilliant. The one in Le Crotoy is a 1.5 hour drive south of Calais. Le Crotoy is beautiful, lots to do and beaches. Also because most of us Brits drive further it actually has virtually NO Brits weirdly. It is known for farming mussels in the Baie de la Somme - so endless restaurants serving Moule Marinieres. It’s a fishing town still, as well as a French tourist town. Honestly that and Saint Valerie on the other side of the bay are really great.