Child Friendly Days Out with SeaFrance
If you’re looking for a bit of fun and frolics with the family in France (bit of a tongue twister there!), then why not jump on a SeaFrance ferry and grab yourself a slice of the action a lot quicker than expected. Their Dover to Calais ferries are one of the quickest ways to get to France, and once you arrive there’s loads to see and do for all the family just around the corner. Why not check out -
Bagatelle Theme Park
Bagatelle is only an hour away from Calais near Berck sur Mer.The park is perfect for children and offers circus events with lions and tigers, crazy whirlpool rides, with the longest straight of rapids in Europe. Though if you like to take it easy there’s also a gentle mini railway ride for yourself and the little ones.
Parc Asterix
This unique French theme park is only two and a half hours away from Calais and features 5 different time zones to explore. There’s the longest wooden rollercoaster in Europe for the thrillseekers, plus log flumes and regular live shows throughout the day to enchant the whole family.
Nausicaa
France’s National Sea Experience Centre offers over 35,000 different types of fish and mammals to discover. With loads of exhibitions and exciting educational experiences to be had, this is the place for all those budding Captain Nemo’s out there to learn about the wonders of the world’s sea creatures.
All three of these amazing centres are only a short drive away from Calais, and with SeaFrance’s low cost travel fare, now is a great time to treat the whole family to a day they will never forget.
Click here to book online with SeaFrance
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Thing to Do in June with SeaFrance
June is a fabulous time of the year to visit France, with loads of interesting things to see and do. It’s not all cheese and wine you know, though it would be if I were going! SeaFrance Ferries offer one of the quickest routes to the coast and heart of country via their Dover to Calais ferry service, which offer a wide variety of crossing times throughout the day. With the weather warming up nicely on the opposite time of the English Channel, why not take a relaxing break this month and discover a whole host of interesting activities and festivals taking place, including -
Calais Maritime Festival
The Calais Maritime Festival is now in it’s 3rd year and will be taking place between 4- 6th June 2010. Here you can to visit a whole host of ships including three masted tall ships, traditional fishing boats and steam tugs. You can even clamber on board and have a nose around!
Transbaie Race
This great day on Sunday 6th June 2010 combines both a sporting race with a great festival which creates a lot of tourism in the Baie de Somme on the Picardy Coast. Up to 7,000 runners complete a 14k course along the sand between Saint-Valery and Le Crotoy.
Terres en fête
This agricultural show takes place between 11-13th June 2010 and is a great way of experiencing French rural life. The fete has over 400 exhibitors who will be displaying livestock, displays, children’s activites and local produce to purchase.
Antiques at the Cistercian Abbaye de Vaucelles in France
Taking place between 4-6th June 2010, the stunning 13th century Cistercian Abbaye de Vaucelles will be hosting its 17th annual antiques fair. Dealers from across France will be showcasing their latest discoveries, whilst visitors can enjoy a relaxing wander around it’s magnificent gardens and sample local products.
As you can see, something for everyone this month. So why not book today and enjoy a fantastic break in France with loads of things to see and do. And eat. And drink!
Click here to book online with SeaFrance
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Why Not Visit Europe’s Capital of Chocolate this Easter with SeaFrance?
With the Easter holidays just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to visit the chocolate capital of the world – Belgium. If you fancy a wicked weekend break in Bruges with your friends and family, SeaFrance ferries has just released a new pricing structure that will allow you to take a well earned break for a lot less than you’d think. You can now travel -
- £25 each way for up to 5 passengers
- £19 day return for up to 5 passengers
- 15 daily return car ferry crossings
Bruges, the Belgian city of chocolate, is a great place to spend a few days relaxing, and obviously Easter is a great time to see this dazzling city come alive with it’s 47 chocolate shops displaying their wares. Bruges is a medieval city with cobbled streets, historic buildings, and is a picture perfect setting for a unique city break. With a wide selection of master chocolatiers across the city, including The Chocolate Line which is one of only three chocolate shops in the Michelin guide. Plus with a dedicated chocolate museum, a weekend in Bruges is guaranteed to be an absolute ‘feast’ for those of you out there with a sweet tooth.
Situated just an hour and a half from Calais, Bruge is renowned for its love of the good life. Simply jump on a Dover to Calais ferry and you’ll be sipping hot chocolate on the market square before you know it, plus at these prices, it’s the perfect time for an indulgent gastronomic break this Easter holidays.
Click here to book online with SeaFrance
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Great Booze Bargains on Board P&O Ferries
If you’re planning on taking a Dover to Calais ferry to stock up on Christmas treats, then it may be worth looking at P&O Ferries. Not only with you experience a smooth, hassle free journey, but you will also be able to pick up some seriously hot bargains BEFORE you’ve even landed!
That’s right, P&O Ferries are offering some fantastic drink deals on their cross channel ferry service -
- 2 Litres of Teachers Whisky only £22 (Normally £14.29 each, High Street £17.57 each)
- 2 Litres of The Famous Grouse only £24 (normally £15.49 each, High Street £18.99 each)
- 2 litres of Bell’s Whisky only £24 (normally £14.99 each, High Street £17.19 each)
- 2 litres of Gordon’s Gin only £20 (normally £13.99 each, High Street £15.99 each)
These great offers will be available onboard from Friday 27th November until Christmas Eve 2009. So why not start saving money before you’ve landed with P&O Ferries booze bargains, a sure fire way to make your Christmas with a swing! Plus with P&O Ferries latest day trip offer, which is available between 20th Nov – 16th Dec 2009, there really hasn’t been a better or cheaper time to book than today.
Click here to book online with P&O Ferries
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
£10 Discount on Hotel Bookings with Expedia – Offer Ends 31-11-09
Now is a great time to book a break to France online. Not only is their a wide range of discounted Dover to Calais ferry crossings, but you can now also receive a £10 discount on hotel bookings with Expedia. All you need to do is -
- Enter the Vouchercode – DPSUK10PHOT
- Book between 16th November – 31st December 2009
- Valid travel between 16th November – 31st December 2009
- Spend a minimum of £150
Expedia is the UK’s largest online travel provider, serving millions of customers each year. With an online team of experts, Expedia will be able to help you tailor your specific holiday requirements to ensure you have the best trip available. Plus with this money off voucher, there’s never been a better time to book a hotel in France than today.
Click here to book online with Expedia
Terms & Conditions
1. This discount voucher may be used to book an Expedia Special Rate hotel on the website www.expedia.co.uk between 12.01 AM (GMT), 9th November 2009 and 11.59 PM (GMT) on 31st December 2009, for travel and stay dates between 9th November 2009 and 31st December 2010. The voucher may not be used to book any of the following: Harrahs, MGM, Starwood, Novotel, Sol Melia, Rezidor, Hilton Hotels, Intercontinental Hotel Group or Marriott hotels.
2. In order to qualify for the voucher you must spend a minimum of £150 on the Expedia website, at www.expedia.co.uk.
3. The voucher entitles you to a £10 discount off your total reservation cost exclusive of VAT. The voucher applies to hotel bookings only.
4. You will be asked to sign in as a registered user of the Expedia website.
5. All bookings are subject to availability.
6. The voucher may be redeemed only once.
7. Usual booking terms and conditions apply.
8. All taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges are applicable to reservations made using the discount voucher. These charges must be paid at the time of the reservation and are the responsibility of the customer.
9. The voucher has no cash or refund value except when redeemed in accordance with all terms and conditions of this offer. The voucher cannot be returned for cash or its equivalent. The voucher cannot be applied to the cost of prepaid reservations or other miscellaneous charges.
10. The voucher will be deemed fully used once a qualifying reservation has been made and will not be returned or replaced and there will be no refund if a voucher is redeemed in part. If the travel stay dates are changed after the use of the voucher, then the voucher will not apply to the changed travel schedule.
11. The voucher may not be used for any previously purchased reservation.
12. This is a stock limited offer and vouchers are only redeemable while stocks last
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Self Drive Skiing in France with P&O Ferries
P&O Ferries offer a fantastic way to hit the slopes this winter without the hassle of restricted luggage and airport delays. Simply jump aboard one of their Dover to Calais ferries for a chilled, relaxing crossing, then scoot off onto the nearby motorway which will take you straight to the Alps.
France is one of the world’s most popular self drive ski holidays, with people travelling from all over Europe to experience all the exhilaration a week on the piste has to offer. Many French resorts are interlinked to form huge ski circuits, offering you the chance to try out many different places and runs during one trip. Plus with amazing scenery and fantastic après-ski, a French skiing holiday offers unbeatable leisure choices for both day and night.
Along with all this, the other major reason many people choose to drive is the lack of baggage restrictions, which means you can bring exactly what you want with you (even if it is that extra pair of jeans you know you’ll never wear!). Add that to the fact you can bring up to 9 people per car, and with prices starting at just £25, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to visit the Alps with their car than ever before.
Click here to book online with P&O Ferries
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Booze Cruise Trips to France
Since Duty Free was abolished there are now no limitations on what you can bring back from France and most of the other EU countries. However, it’s important to follow the government guidelines which state that it is a criminal offence to import goods for resale and that anything you bring back should therefore be for personal use only. Below is the guidelines set out by HM Revenue & Customs – note, its not an offence to exceed these but if you do you would need to be able to convince customs that the goods are for personal use only.
- 3200 cigarettes
- 400 cigarillos
- 200 cigars
- 3 kg of smoking tobacco
- 110 litres of beer
- 10 litres of spirits
- 90 litres of wine
- 20 litres of fortified wine (such as port or sherry)
See France Booze Cruise Beauties!
Check out the details of the top locations to pick up cheap plonk while in Calais, France. Also check out the latest price on a Dover to Calais Ferry here.
| Hypermarket | Opening Times | Contact Details | See France Says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franglais | Monday-Friday 9.00am – 7.00pm Saturday : 9.00am – 6.30pm Sunday : 9.30am – 6.00pm |
CD 215, 62185 Frethun Tel 00 33 321 852939 |
Very competitive pricing, especially on wine which is often less than £1.00 a bottle. Great wine tasting facilities too. |
| Pidou | 7 Days a Week - 10.00am – 8.00pm |
190 rue Marcel Dassault, Zone Marcel Doret, 62100 Calais Tel 00 33 321 967810 |
Very convenient opening times and huge range of well known beers, wines and spirits. |
| Vignobles & Saveurs De France | Open from 10.00am – 18.45pm Closed Wednesdays and Sundays and from 13.00pm to 14.00pm daily. |
Rue De Verdun, Tel 00 33 321 19 30 01 |
Not cheap but fantastic quality high-end wine. One of our favourites when we’re looking for a bottle of something decent. |
| Tesco Vin Plus | Monday – Saturday 8:30am to 10:00pm. Closed Sunday |
Cite De La Europe | A massive range! A great place to do all of your booze shopping if time is of the essence |
| Carrefour | Monday – Friday 9.00am -10.00pm Saturday 8.30am-10.00pm. Closed on Sundays. |
Cite De La Europe | One of the biggest stores with a vast offering of beers, wines and spirits. |
| Calais Vins | Monday – Saturday 9.00am to 7:00pm. Sunday 10.00am – 7.00pm |
Rue Gutenberg 62100 Calais Tel (0)3 21 36 40 40 Fax :+33 (0)3 21 35 14 47 |
Excellent rewards scheme for regular customers and very friendly, English speaking staff. |
| Le Chais | Open Daily 9.00am – 7.00pm but closed for lunch from 12.00 midday – 2.00pm | 40 rue de Phalsbourg, 62100 Calais. Tel 00 33 321 978857 |
Another one for serious connoisseurs. It is one of the oldest established outlets and the staff here really know their stuff. |
| Oddbins | 7 Days a Week - 10.00am – 8.00pm |
Cité Europe, 139 rue de Douvres, 62901 Coquelles, Cedex, France |
Not the cheapest on wines and beers but offer some great deals on spirits and champagne. |
| Auchan | Monday – Saturday : 8.30am – 10.00pm Closed on Sundays |
Fort Nieulay, Route de Boulogne (RN1) Tel (00 33) 321 46 92 92 |
Well known hypermarket in France with branches elsewhere. Offers other products and grocery shopping. |
| Boozers | Open 9.00am – 9.00pm 7 Days a Week |
Route de Saint Omer, 62100 Calais Tel 0033 (0)321 19 99 00 |
Under new ownership but offering an impressive range of beers and wines. |
| The Wine & Beer World | Open 7.00am – 10.00pm 7 Days a Week |
Zone Marcel Doret | Owned by Majestic Wines. A very professional outfit with a good range of beers and wines. |
| World Shopping | Open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week | In Eurotunnel Terminal | Ce’st Ouvert Sept Jour ! Wow, that’s what I call convenient. However, unfortunately it’s only available to Eurotunnel passengers. |
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
France DIY Stores
With reality DIY programmes being on TV seemingly every minute of the day the demand for value DIY equipment is going through the roof! Shopping in France offers day trippers the opportunity to make purchases from a wide range of goods at prices greatly reduced from those you would expect to pay in England.
Top DIY Stores in Calais, France
Something for every budding Titchmarsh or Knowles can be found at the stores below!
| Store | Opening Hours | Address / Contact | Tel | Main Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedeo | Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 8.00pm. | 48 Quai Gustave Lamarle. 62100 Calais . | Tel: 0033 321 46 08 60.
Fax: 0033 321 46 08 65 |
Plumbing & Heating. |
| Mobalpa | Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 8.00pm. | (Pierre Guerbadot) 126, Bd. Gambetta, Calais. | Tel: 0033 321 344 15 71 57. | Kitchens |
| Conforama | N/A | ZC la Francaise. 62231. Coquelles. | Tel: 0033 321 36 61 61. | Furniture & Electrical Goods |
| Boulanger | Monday to Friday,
10.00am to 12.30pm, 2.00 to 7.30pm. Saturday, 9.00am to 8.00pm. |
C. Cial Auchan “Parc La Française”. 62231. Coquelles. | Tel: 0033 321 46 22 46.
Fax: 0033 321 46 43 70. |
Electrical Goods |
| Lapeyre | Monday to Friday 9.30am to midday, and 2.00 – 7.00pm. Saturday, 9.00am to midday, and 2.00 – 6.00pm. | 41 Av. du Général de Gaulle, RN 1 – BP 79. 62903. Coquelles | Tel: 0033 321 36 33 33.
Fax: 0033 321 36 32 00. |
Doors & Windows. |
| Leroy Merlin DIY Store | Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 8.00pm. | Centre Commercial Auchan, Route Nationale 1, Coquelles, Calais. 62100. | Tel: 0033 321 96 50 50.
Fax: 0033 321 34 99 77 |
DIY, Gardening & Decorating. |
| 4 Murs | Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 8.00pm. | Zone La Française (by Auchan), 62231. Calais – Coquelles. | Tel: 0033 321 36 34 49 | DIY, Gardening & Decorating. |
| Bricoman | Open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7.30pm. Saturday 8.30am to 7.30pm | Centre commercial Carrefour, EVREUX. | Tel: 0033 232 23 33 50.
Fax: 0033 232 23 33 51. |
DIY, Gardening & Decorating. |
| Bricomarché | Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 8.00pm. | Rue Notre Dame. 62480. LE PORTEL. | Tel: 0033 321 80 82 81.
Fax: 0033 321 91 39 31 |
DIY, Gardening & Decorating. |
| Mr.Bricolage | Open: Monday 2.00 to 7.00pm. Tuesday to Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm, 2.00PM to 7.00pm. | 69 RUE FAIDHERBE, BP 369. 62205. Boulogne sur Mer. | Tel: 0033 321 30 36 30.
Fax: 0033 321 87 40 42. |
DIY, Gardening & Decorating. |
| Bricorama | Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 8.00pm. | 55, rue Camille Desmoulins. 62230. OUTREAU. | Tel: 0033 321 31 71 19. | DIY, Gardening & Decorating. |
| Saint Maclou | Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 8.00pm. | Centre Commercial Auchan, St Martin-Les-Boulogne. | Tel: 0033 321 31 90 09.
Fax: 0033 321 91 56 40. |
Carpets, Rugs & Flooring |
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Perfect Time to Visit France as Government Cut Restaurant VAT
British tourists will be pleased with the news that the French Government has announced that VAT will be cut in restaurants and cafes across France. The cut, from 19.6% to 5.5%, came into practice on Wednesday 1st July 2009, and is music to the ears of many Brits who make the yearly pilgrimage to France via Dover to Calais in search of delicious wines, pastries and cheeses.
With the current weakness of the pound against the euro, this tax deduction should see a greater influx of UK holidaymakers visiting France looking to take advantage of the 10% saving. Plus you can now coross the Channel from -
- £30 each way with P&O Ferries
- £29 each way with SeaFrance Ferries
So as you can see, now is a fabulous time to explore all the wonders that France has to offer at a price range that can suit every budget.
Click here to view the latest ferry prices
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Learn French with Linguaphone
If you’re thinking of travelling to France this summer then why not brush up on a bit of the local tongue with Linguaphone?
This is a fantastic method to learn a bit of the lingo before you arrive in France to test out your new found skills. Plus times have changed since sitting in the classroom reading Tricolore about Jean Duvel from La Rochelle!
You can now purchase an MP4 player with a basic audio course pre loaded, which means you could be learning whilst you travel to France sat on the deck of the ferry. Add a glass of rouge and chunk of fromage and you’ll be well on your way to a learning experience like no other.
Click here to learn more about Linguaphone
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
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