We went to Calais to catch the ferry to England, celebrate Ben’s birthday, and enjoy the beach. Calais Beach is a very popular summer destination, featuring a kilometre of fine sand, a scenic promenade, and modern recreational facilities. A highlight is the Calais Dragon—a huge mechanical dragon that breathes fire and water and moves along the seafront and the lighthouse. […]
We headed to the Grand-Fort-Philippe area, as it is located right next to the beach. Situated at the mouth of the River Aa, where it meets the North Sea, the location offers the chance to explore historical sites, a major nature reserve, and several museums. What we enjoyed most was the Platier d’Oye National Nature Reserve, which is home to […]
Aire-sur-la-Lys is very similar to Arras, but we liked it better. It is a charming town steeped in history, featuring a UNESCO World Heritage belfry, impressive Flemish architecture, and beautiful canals. Where to stay We stayed at the town’s motorhome area (50.643972, 2.407624 lat, long), located right by the lovely harbour and just a 10-minute walk from the town centre. […]
We went to Arras because it was an hour away from Calais, situated by a beautiful canal. What we liked best were its impressive 17th-century Flemish Baroque-style squares. Arras is also famous for its underground wartime tunnels, but we didn’t see any of them. Where to stay We stayed at the Arras Vallée de la Scarpe motorhome area (50.297443, 2.775713 […]
We went to Saint-Quentin because it had a municipal campsite; it was expected to be warm, and the municipal swimming pool was nearby. When we arrived, it turned out we’d already been there; the woman at the campsite recognised us. Anyway, we saw the town hall square, which is beautiful, but we couldn’t really appreciate it because a festival had […]
Châlons-en-Champagne is a historic town with UNESCO World Heritage sites, picturesque canals along the Marne River, and local Champagne cellars. What we liked most were the Collegiate Church, the Cathedral, and the town hall square, which is very pretty. But we didn’t see a single vineyard in the entire Champagne region. Ben said we weren’t in Champagne. Where to stay […]
We went to Châteauvillain because I had read that it was a medieval village set within a national forest park. In reality, it is a tiny hamlet, yet it has charm. While strolling near the Church of Notre-Dame—a listed historical monument—we discovered an architect with a unique style who has left his mark on the local identity. Where to stay […]
After two years of unsuccessful attempts to visit Dijon—due to flooding and roadworks that prevented us from arriving in our motorhome—we finally managed to go this year. All we knew about Dijon was that it was famous for its mustard. We discovered that it is the capital of the Burgundy region, boasting a rich wine culture, a beautiful lake, and […]
We went to Mâcon because we had been there four years earlier and the municipal campsite was excellent, featuring a swimming pool—ideal for the forecast temperatures of 38 and 39 degrees. The city offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and gastronomy. Views of the Saône River and the unique buildings make the city well worth a visit. Where to […]
The only thing we knew about Saint-Tropez was its reputation for glamour and luxury on the French Riviera, so we had to see it. We were expecting a town overflowing with luxury, but instead we found a very ordinary little fishing village. There was a port with a few luxury yachts and designer shops, but otherwise, it was quite rustic. […]
