yes we did, cheated though and went in a keycamp ready erected tent but for 3 nights including ferry, castels site only £109, couldnt resist it. We are very tempted to go to France BH weekend beginning of May and staying at Chateau de Ganspette (spelling??)
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
We did 4 nights near Paris one October half term. I'm not sure I'd do it again with all our kit and caboodle. Maybe hop on a cheap flight with a tiny tent and a sleeping bag, nut that's different.
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I don't think I'd do it for just a long weekend with my own tent - I definitely wouldn't with a caravan. By the time you'd added in the ferry costs, and campsite fees, it would be almost as cheap to hire a tent from Canvas Holidays or Eurocamp than to take your own kit, and you'd have a much easier time. If you chose your site carefully then you could even find one with Canvas or Eurocamp tents within reach of a local airport, and get a very long weekend for your money! I think their websites do list sites suitable for 'flying in to'. If you go outside peak times then you can probably still get some very cheap flights.
Like Pager33 we cheated & stayed in a keycamp tent last may at Chateaux lez Eaux very cheap & had a fantastic time despite crummy weather. We looked into taking our own tent but this worked out much cheaper including portsmouth-Caen ferry crossing, if you aren't thinking about going in summer hols check out Keycamp & the like.
Lou
We've done it a few times and really enjoy it - tend to go to a site near le crotoy in the bay of the somme - nice little town with a decent beach and only a shortish drive from boulogne or calais. Off to a site near paris for 4 nights over the easter school holidays. It obviously helps if you live in the southeast as its faster to get to france than it is to drive to most of the more interesting parts of england plus the wine is a damn site cheaper.
martin
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We had a couple of days in Belgium at Christmas. Went to Bruges & Ieper. Didn't go to the Last Post at Menin Gate this time, but it is very moving. My sons have been learning about WW1 & WW2 at school, so we have been to some of the cemetaries, museum at Ieper and also to Bray Dunes near to Dunkirk.
I love to go to France/Belgium for a few days as its not too long a drive away, but it is a bit of an adventure, finding new places to go & seeing new things.
You're at a big advantage living in the south (ish). From where we live we have another seven hour drive to Dover - which can make a long weekend a real no-no! However, we do have long weekends when we fly down to the south of France on one of these Ryanair 1p deals if we're able to find one (Ok, it does cost rather more than the 1p - but the cost has varied from £24 including taxes, to £56 including taxes for two return flights).
So far we've done Rodez and Millau for the opening of the Millau viaduct, Perpignan and into Spain (where it was hot enough to swim in the sea in November), Toulon and the mediterranean, and Nimes including the Ardeche, Avignon and the Camargue, each for about three or four days, staying in budget hotels. One year we had lunch in a restaurant at Grau du Roi overlooking the mediterranean, set off back to the airport at Nimes, flew back to John Lennon airport at Liverpool, and were home having dinner by 7.15 pm! Fantastic (quicker than the drive back from Dover).
It's not just living in the South of England that helps. When we travel to the continent, we always use Eurotunnel...usually thanks to Mr Tesco! Its just gives you a bit more time in France than on the ferry. Also Eurotunnel do their same day/overnight return for around £50, so to go for one night away is not too expensive.
Just booked the period after Easter weekend, £83 return for 5 and a motorhome with P&O, we'll stay a few nights at Disney (free with a season ticket), visit around the Paris area, have a couple of days in the park, so that makes it cheap enough for the weekend. (And then fill up with beer and wine until the summer.)
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We've done it and are now in the process of moving to France.
We just booked a block of 10 crossings (5 round trips)from Norfolkline for £220, thats £44 for each return journey. There are some supplements for travelling on Weekends during High Season but if you can travel midweek its definitely worth it weight.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Long Weekend France, Belguim
