The most famous, the nosiest, the most mental, but also the oldest, is the Dunkerque Carnival. For weeks on end, groups called fisherbands take the measure of each other, confront each other with sarabands and songs, disperse and liven up the town, and finally come together in one huge choir to celebrate their sailors, honour Jean Bart, and claim, with body and voice, their herrings thrown from the top of the belfry.
If you’ve never done Carnival here, you’ve never seen a real carnival !

For more info see www.northernfrance-tourism.com
Of course Dunkerque is directly connected from Dover with Norfolkline Ferries – but beware that the port (near Loon-Plage) is some 18km from the town centre

;Now the Administrators Ernst & Young are reporting that the proceeds of the sale of assets (including SpeedOne) will not even raise enough money to pay off the Bank who are secured creditors; so there is nothing to be shared with preferential or  unsecured creditors such as ticket holders.

The Bank of Scotland got about £2m back, and Ernst & Young earned over £880,000 for being Administrators.

The only hope for paying customers would appear to be through the credit card companies if you paid by credit card.

Since the collapse of SpeedFerries LD Lines has been developing the Dover – Boulogne route which remains one of my preferred routes into northern France.

Boulogne's port hub

LD Lines Ferries are changing over to a traditional ferry on their Dover-Boulogne cross-channel route which will increase capacity and competition on the short-sea crossings from Dover. Also there is now a new Ferry port at Boulogne which will hopefully be less down-at-heel than the previous landing point. The new terminal is called the Boulogne Hub Port, which remains close to the town centre and provides reasonable access to the A16 and other autoroutes. Additionally passengers can leave their car in a free car park by the terminal and with a short walk across a footbridge into the heart of the town.

From early November 2009 the Norman Spirit will transfer from its current Western Channel Portsmouth – Le Havre route to commence operations on LD Lines’ Dover – Boulogne service, considerably increasing freight and tourist traffic capacity. The high speed catamaran Norman Arrow, which began operating across the Dover Straits in June 2009, will re-locate to the Portsmouth – Le Havre route, where she will begin a six month seasonal operation from Easter to September 2010. Norman Spirit will operate four return sailings daily between Dover and Boulogne and provide a crossing time of one hour 45 minutes. The ship has capacity for 1850 passengers, 700 cars, 110 freight vehicles and the service will also carry coaches and foot passengers.

LD Lines is also offering 10,000 Tickets @£22.50 each way for a car + 4 passengers – a limited number available at this price – so book soon – see www.ldlines.com

Boulogne is a pleasant arrival port – and the town is well worth a visit. Like most ferry ports industry and warehousing tend to dominate the immediate  area, but the more interesting and  attractive parts of the town are close by. The ferry trip provides a good view of the French coast (when the weather is good) and is schedules to take 105 minutes – slightly longer than the Dover-Calais crossing, but being further south compensates if  heading towards Paris, Rouen, Normandy, Picardie or beyond.

Find the best rates for Hotels in Boulogne-sur-Mer

In the heart of winter, Lille sparkles and glows with “joie de vivre”! With the wave of a magic wand, the city takes on a festive atmosphere and welcomes you to a winter wonderland. On Place Rihour, more than 80 chalets teem with gift ideas, nativity figurines, Christmas decorations and festive food. You can find regional specialities here, and you can also find arts and crafts from Russia, Poland, and Québec, as well as products from Native America. And that’s not to forget the gingerbread and other delicacies which you can take away or eat on the spot with a glass of mulled wine…
On the Main Square, amidst the sumptuous decorations and as Christmas carols fill the air, the Big Wheel turns majestically. Its height of 50 metres ensures guests have a stunning view of the city.

See our other articles Le weekend in…. Lille and Lille’s Christmas celebrations
For more info see www.noel-a-lille.com

If you have time and inclination then it is worth a visit to la Piscine at nearby Roubaix, which is a converted municipal art deco- swimming pool which retains part of the pool as a centre piece, whilst the old changing cubicles hold exhibits. The building houses the Museum of Science and Industry which celebrates the town’s industrial heritage when it was a centre for the textile industry – see www.roubaix-lapiscine.com/

Where to stay?

Lille has many hotels at all levels of price and luxury.Hotel des Tours in the middle of the attractive Old Town or Le Brueghel very French and centrally situated in a quiet, pedestrian area near the station.

For a more intimate weekend options include interesting B&Bs such as Alix’s Garden and Canal Barge  Fantasia.

Get the best rates for other hotels in Lille

Where to eat – recommended Again there is no shortage of eateries in Lille offering cuisines both local and international.

Two favourites, one for meat, the other for fish are l’Assiette du Marché (market plate) in rue de la Monnaie in Vieux Lille  and   L’Écume des Mers (sea spume) in rue des Pas close to the Grand Place. Both offer high quality dishes with excellent service.

Where to eat – gourmet

Without doubt the finest dining experience in Lille must be l’Huitrière (oystery) on the edge of Vieux Lille  (3 rue des Chats Bossus) – superb art deco setting and top notch fish (oysters, lobsters,  turbot etc) – certainly not cheap but a gastronomic delight! 4 Michelin knives and forks. You can also window shop (and buy) fresh fish and other delicacies in the front of the building.

Where to eat – value for money

There are plenty of more modest restaurants in Lille to suit all pockets – a typical bustling brasserie is Aux Moules (mussels) in rue de Bethune – a pedestrianised street  in the city centre.  They offer a full menu including their specialty – and a good Moules Frites can be unbeatable.

Local wine/drink -

The proximity of Belgium ensures that Beer is a local favourite. Many bars offer a wide range of interesting beers from Northern France, Belgium and beyond – and there are numerous micro-breweries in the centre of Lille such as Les 3 Brasseurs (3 brewers) in place de la Gare opposite Lille Flandres railway station.

Local food:
Fish features strongly in this Flemish part of France – Moules Frites (Mussels and Chips) is probably the most familiar local specialty – others not so recognisable – Carbonnade flamande (small chunks of beef stewed in beer), waterzoï (poultry or fish in a creamy sauce, served with baby vegetables) and potjevleesch (literally “small potted meat”, a white meat terrine in aspic).
Local markets

The Wazemmes Market in place de la Nouvelle Aventure takes place on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings with food, flowers, fabrics and exotic products. Ine of the largest markets in France, it can also be one of the liveliest (up to 50,000 visitors some Sundays). Colourful, with a “Soho” atmosphere, you’ll often hear an accordion being played.

Shopping

No shortage of shopping opportunies in the City Centre – with several malls – e.g. the Euralille mall near the stations and may interesting small shops in the old town. For fine food shopping  the Meert  Café and Patisserie on rue Esquermoise home of the Meert Waffle, and Philippe Olivier  in rue du Cure St Etienne) for an excellent selection of bread and pastries.

Must see:

Vieux Lille, the Grand Place. the Chambre de Commece, the Hotel de Ville and  the fine flemish buildings around the Place du Theatre.

A bit of culture: The Palais  des Beaux Arts in place de la Republique houses prestigious collections of European painting (Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, Delacroix…) and offers some peace away from the bustle and rumble of the city centre.

For a walk: For all that it is big modern city, it is worth a stroll around  Vauban Citadelle, just a short walk beyond the city centre. This impressive star-shaped castle on rue Vauban was built by Napoleon’s military archictect in the 17th century. As it is still used as a military barracks, you need to check with the local tourist office for those dates when it is open to the public. But there is the Vauban garden which the public can access at all times for a stroll.

For the children:Bring the children for the annual Christmas market when the Grand Place is transformed into a snowy Cavern with twinking lights and a Carousel – plus a busy Christmas market in nearby Place Rihour -full of seasonal cheer. (18 November – 31 December 2009)

Getting there:

Easy – being so close to the English Channel. Travel time to Lille by road/ferry – just an hour from Calais, less from Dunkerque – see P&O to Calais and Norfolkline to Dunkerque.

Or take the Eurostar to Lille

Getting around:

Transpole offers a comprehensive public transport network with a modern Metro system and 2 tram lines which cross the city centre and serve both railway stations. However most of the main points of interest are within walking distance of the city centre.

Staying longer?:The city is close to many of the First World War battlegrounds – e.g. Ypres and Paschendaele just over the border. Brussels and Waterloo are a bit further – and a favourite of mine is the art deco swinning pool at Tourcoing (part of the Lille conurbation) La Piscine – converted into an impressive Museum of Art and Industry – and it is on the Metro line about 40 minutes from Lille City Centre.

When to go?

Lively throughout the year, but you might consider

La Grande Braderie de Lille – the biggest flea market in Europe which runs across a weekend in early September each year with100 km of stands, 10,000 vendors and 1 to 2 million visitors! – but beware that the City gets very busy and the traffic is impossible on the Braderie weekend.

Lille Wine Fair of the independent winegrowers (Vignerons Indepenents) which is held mid-November (20-23 November 2009) – with the opportunity to taste and buy from winemakers from all across France.

Lille Christmas Market - late November to New Year – Carousel, Christmas Village and a real feel of Christmas (18 November – 30 December 2009)

However, there are other reasons to stop in the local areanewly-opened Calais Lace Museum (Cité Internationale de la dentelle et de la mode de Calais) which is a must see. Located in an original lace factory building, visitors can see original working Victorian lace machines and a stunning array of exhibits including a display of original lace clothes and fashion through the centuries. At the final gallery, visitors can use a special camera, which shows themselves dressed in any of the museum’s lace clothes – in 3D.

Just a 10 minute drive from Calais, the quaint, reconstructed Saint-Joseph Village offers a glimpse of what life was like in rural France between 1900 and 1950. Complete with a garage, school, blacksmith’s forge, sawmill and restaurant offering local recipes, this village is a unique learning experience for any child.

Seafrance Ferries are offering a 50% reduction for family entry to both attractions until 20 September 2009:-

Nine tourist attractions in the Calais area are giving SeaFrance customers 50% off family entry (two adults and up to three kids). Alternatively, SeaFrance customers can take advantage of a 20% discount on individual tickets. All customers need to do is show their SeaFrance car lane hangers when they turn up at an attraction- see www.seafrance.com

Other local attractions in or near Calais include:-
# Calais Lighthouse – 19th Century Lighthouse with great views over Calais and the English Channel
# Guines Clock Tower
# Eurolac & Naviboat – a leisure park with lake and self-drive boats around the local canal network
# Musée 39-45 - museum of the 1939-1945 War
# The Blockhaus at Eperlecques – part of the WWII preparations for invading England.
# Calais War Museum (WWII)
# Musée du Mur de l’Atlantique – a museum in a WWII bunker focussing on the contruction of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall

One of my personal favourites is the City Hall with its imposing belfry and Rodin’s sculpture of the “Burghers of Calais”
Find the best rates for Hotels in Calais

But this is not just children’s sand castles on the beach which will be wiped out at the next tide – no these are art sculptures using special sand brought in from Belgium, and with the theme of the kings of France:-

discover France and the secret history of its Kings. An amazing portrait gallery of differing destinies, sometimes amusing, often tormented and always exceptional… Re-live history and set out to conquer the royal sculptures! …

For more info see www.sculpturesdesable.com

For more info on Le Touquet see the official tourist office site

For more info see www.mainsquarefestival.fr

For more info on Arras -  see www.ot-arras.fr/

Built in Hobart, Tasmania it underwent a 12000 mile oceanic crossing before entering service on the 60 minute each way short-sea crossing between Dover and Boulogne.

Day 1

Cycling from London to Dover.

Board the ferry at Dover, arrive in Dieppe in the evening.

Day 2

Set off 10.00 am through the lovely French countryside.

Finish cycling early evening and stay overnight in a French country inn.

Day 3

Leave the hotel at 9.00 am.
Let’s go!

Finish cycling mid-late afternoon in Paris.

Day 4

Free morning with suggested options.

Transfer from hotel to Gare du Nord for Eurostar, arrive in St Pancras

Although it may be too late to register to take part in this 300km ride, you can watch and support them as they cycle through the English and French countryside – and it is easier to get to watch this  than the Tour de France,
For more info see: www.medecinsdumonde.org.uk

Although the crossing is slightly longer to Dunkerque, the modern fleet lands you in a well-connected (if somewhat industrial) port which is well-connected for eastern and central France by autoroute. Even Paris is not significantly further than via Dover.

For more info on this offer see www.ferrycheap.com

For more info on Norfolkline see www.norfolkine.com

Best prices for fuel as at 3 June 2009 =unleaded €1.125 (£1.00);  diesel €0.94  ($0.85) per litre.

Norfolkine’s fares tend to be the most competitive now, and although the crossing to Dunkerque takes a little longer, and the arrival is into an industrial port, the new ships on the route offer all the comfort and facilities you would expect – and Dunkerque is a definite advantage as a point of arrival for eastern France, and adds relatively little time to other French destinations, given its easy access to the autoroute network.

Ferrycheap are currently offering 2009 one-way fares of £19 (low season) or £29 (high season) for a car + 4 passengers with no amendment fees – but you must book by 18 February 2009.

In April 2008, 22 students from the Photographic department were welcomed each in one of the 22 participating cities. The participants ranged in age between 20 and 35 years old, as well as originating from 15 different countries. Each student was given an “emotional passport” to express their own talent and sense and to capture the daily life of France. Their only requirement: let the dreams and emotions of the people and places be the guide!

The venues include Aix-en-Provence, Amiens, Angers, Avignon, Bordeaux, Dijon, Grenoble, Le Havre, Lille, Marseille, Metz, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nancy, Nantes, Nice, Nimes, Reims. Rennes, Rouen, Toulouse and Versailles.

For more info see www.franceemotion.com/

A group of the town’s VIPs parade the turkeys through the town and there is the opportunity to purchase various foodstuffs, regional produce, beautifully packaged sweets and chocolates, traditional decorations and local crafts.

Licques is also home to a special liqueur, the Licquoise, which is offered to visitors before the turkey procession. The birds are herded through the town on the Sunday morning, preceded by the Confrerie de Licques (local bigwigs and celebrities).

Throughout the weekend, there is also a regional food market (Marché du Terroir) and a dinner-dance.

For more info see www.licques-volailles.fr

On offer are all the usual festive attractions, including mulled wine, pain d’epices, fire-dancers, puppets, jazz etc. For more info see www.tourisme-boulognesurmer.com
Sadly of course, you will no longer be able to pop over on Speedferries direct into Boulogne, but Calais and the Channel Tunnel are only about 30 minutes away by car.
Meanwhile Boulogne’s great rival further north up the coast, Calais holds its Christmas Market on the same weekend from Friday 12 – Sunday 14 December 2008 in the Place Crevecoeur/rue Mengin – see www.calais-cotedopale.com

Of course, the drop in the exchange rate against the euro does make the prospect of shopping in France a little less attractive, but you will still find wine and petrol/diesel good value in France because of different tax regimes.

Unleaded petrol is about €1.09, diesel €0.999 at a typical French hypermarket as at 4 December 2008 – tourist exchange rate is £1 = €1,12.

Another city with a Grand Place in which to stage the Christmas Market and other festivities such as the skating rink, sleigh rides and a concert entitled “Father Christmas Sings the Blues”!?

For more info see www.ville-bethune.fr

Arras Christmas Market (Pas-de-Calais) runs 27 Nov to 24 Dec 2008
Arras, with its impressive squares (places), holds a spectacular Christmas market on the Grand Place. This market has about 50 mini wooden chalets offering offer a wide selection of arts and crafts, as well as local delicacies such as “Les Coeurs d’Arras” (a heart shaped biscuit with ginger and cheese flavourings.
Craft exhibits from Poland, Vietnam, Morocco, Indonesia and Africa; regional food and drink from the Auvergne, Savoy, Holland and Southwest France as well as the local region.

For more info see www.ot-arras.fr/

The month-long Christmas Market in Lille is the largest in Northern France and has been a tradition for centuries. The market is extremely popular with the British because of the Eurostar link and proximity to the Channel ferry ports – especially the budget ferry Norfolkline terminal at Dunkerque.

Visitors to this market quickly get into the festive spirit. The whole of the Place Rihour, in the centre of town, is taken over by about 80 stalls selling arts and crafts and local cuisine. There’s entertainment for children in the shape of theatre and games and a chance to sample traditional French Christmas delicacies. A Big Wheel is set up in Grand’Place (Place du General de Gaulle). Visitors with children can have photos taken with Father Christmas, who attends the market and participates in a spectacular event on Saturday 20th December – when he ‘falls’ from the  Belfry.

For more info see www.lilletourism.com

SpeedFerries terminal in Boulogne

SpeedFerries has had a major impact on cross-channel ferry ticket prices with aggressive pricing on their Dover to Boulogne fast ferry service – when in many ways some of us might be prepared to pay more for a faster cross-channel service (just 50 minutes) and the port of arrival is Boulogne. OK, so the “boat” has fewer amenities than the big ferries to Calais and Boulogne, and with just one boat operating with limited space, the consequences of missing your crossing are likely to be more disruptive than for other crossings where there is always another boat scheduled before long.

The crossing itself can be delightful when the weather is fine, as the route hugs the french coast down from Cap Gris Nez to the port of Boulogne.

SpeedFerries are again offering a “super” ticket, which by booking in advance offers crossings for car + 5 for just £30 each way throughout 2009, which you can book now either for a specific crossing or as an “open ticket” or a later choice of dates.
For more info see SpeedFerries

Boulogne is in many ways a pleasanter entry point into France than Calais – and a good short stay destination. The ferry port is very close to the town centre and beaches, and the town has a good selection of restaurants and shops.

Book LDLines ferry to Dieppe or Le Havre
Book Speedferries Dover-Boulogne

WARNING TRIANGLES AND REFLECTIVE JACKETS REQUIRED

A few weeks ago we reported that the French road traffic laws were changing to make it compulsory for motorists to carry both a warning triangle and a reflective jacket in the vehicle at all times (and a set of bulbs). Now the AA reports:-

A law concerning the compulsory carrying of a reflective jacket (EN471) and a warning triangle (ECE R27) in France came into force on 1st July 2008. However, this regulation will not be enforceable with on-the-spot fines until 1st October 2008, when the fine will be between €90 and €135.
The French Road Safety Department has today confirmed that:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.

We have arranged with RAYMAC a special offer of a WARNING TRIANGLE + A HI-VISIBILITY VEST FOR JUST £9.99 PLUS VAT AND DELIVERY (usual price for the Warning Triangle alone is over £10) – CLICK HERE FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER

The service is based on a shuttle bus which will collect passengers directly outside the Western Docks and transport them onboard SpeedOne.

During the crossing passengers will be able to experience a range of retail and catering facilities before the shuttle bus drops them directly outside the port of Boulogne which is just a few minutes walk from both the town centre and forward transport links across France and beyond. The shuttle bus collects passengers outside Boulogne Port for the return sailing to Dover.
With a price of just £7.50 per person each way, regardless of duration of stay, book your foot passenger crossing today to avoid disappointment.

For more info see Speedferries

You can now enjoy a one of these very French machines by hiring one for a day or half-day in St Omer (62 Pas-de-Calais, Nord Pas-de-Calais).

Les Belles Echappees also hire out Citroen 2CVs, tandems and trikes and offer a number of packages which can include route suggestions, restaurant and hotel combinations etc.

Les Belles Echappées invite you to a journey off the beaten track in search of simple pleasures connected with emotion and collective memory.

You can find a video showing the 2CVs in action on You Tube Les Belles Echappees translates as a good time or break!

Les Belles Echappees, Chemin des murs, Ferme de l’Abbaye – 62500 CLAIRMARAIS
Tél : 03.21.98.11.72

There are other options for raking to the road “a la francaise” – e.g. the 2CV tours of Paris with 4 roues sous un Parapluie (4 wheels under 1 umbrella); Or hire a classic Citroen TA in the Loire Valley with Quart de Tours (37 Indre-et-Loire, Centre)

Further south Joffreny Tours offer classic and modern British cars (and others) for touring the French countryside from their base near Chalus (87 Haut Vienne, Limousin) – although helpfully they have an office in the UK

Lots to do and see – Hire a classic standard MGB Roadster, a V8 MGB Roadster, a BMW Z3 Roadster or a Triumph Stag (soft-top or hard-top) and take off on a sightseeing tour of the Limousin, Charente and Dordogne, in west central France, with all of its historic towns and picturesque chateaux, and sample some of the fine food and wine along the way. This is beautiful touring country and there are very few cars on the road…

But, on a longer journey to the Mediterranean coast and the Cote d’Azur? The dash between rail terminals in Paris (e.g. Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon) can be a significant disincentive for the train and adds time on an already long journey.

Sheila took the journey from London to Antibes (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) by Eurostar and TGV, and here are some of her observations:

We were advised to go 1st class as it was a long journey…. St. Pancras to Antibes, changing at Lille – definitely worth the extra for the wide comfortable seats. Toilets on both the Eurostar and the following TGV were disgusting – but fine on the return journey. Food on Eurostar was good and pleasantly served. The staff were very obliging and efficient. Food on the Lille/Antibes train was just from the buffet car and not at all interesting – just sandwiches and snacks.It seemed that most people brought their own and ate on the journey but, being French, they did this at lunch time – not grazing constantly as the British seem to do.
Even in 1st class the TGV was full, and people tend to anticipate their station and prepare (with huge cases and luggage) several minutes before arrival at the station. The train does not stop for very long.
The train is very fast, but very smooth – it is a long journey so very necessary to have reading matter, ipod, or whatever to pass the time – scenery in the North rather flat, but becoming more interesting as it progresses through to the South.
We were on the top deck on the way out and it was a single decker on the return journey, but not really any noticeable difference except when coming in to a station and people’s heads were below eye level, only the stairs made it more difficult to get the luggage ready by the door when preparing to leave the train.
Despite the horribly early start, I think I’d do the same again rather than the alternative flight from Heathrow.

For example mid-week in late May 2008 you can leave London St Pancras at 07.00 and arrive in Antibes at 17.27 (local time) – a journey time of 9h27m with a 1 hour wait in Lille (59 Nord Nord-Pas-de-Calais) (but no dash across town just a saunter across the platform!). Return fare is £189.00 (£349 First Class).

For autumn 2009 the dates are as follows:-

29 Oct – 2 Nov 2009 – Lyon (69 Rhone, Rhone-Alpes) – Hall Tony Garnier

6 – 9 Nov 08 – Reims ( 51 Marne, Champagne) – Parc des Expositions

20-23 Nov 2009 – Lille (59 Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) – Grand Palais

26 -30 Nov – Paris (75 Paris, Ile de France) – Porte de Versailles

For more info see www.vigneron-independant.com (in French) There is also a video on YouTube (also in French)

If you are visiting Lille, there is a good B&B on the tram route to the city centre – see Alix’s Garden

As these are racing bikes rather than all-terrain or mountain bikes, so comfortable sadles, thick rugged tyres and dual wheel suspension makes this a real bone- and frame-shaking ride under pressure.

For more info see the official site at www.letour.fr and an enthusiasts’ site at www.lesamisdeparisroubaix.com/

There is a grand marché every Saturday morning in the Place Crève Coeur, where farmers bring freshly dug produce from their smallholdings. Look out for the lush, locally grown broad-leaved watercress and extra-long leeks.

Inside the covered market, buy ripe-flavoured, air-dried sausages – I loved the dark meat of the wild boar (sanglier), the pork with walnuts and the rich, buttery tarts filled with prunes and custard or savoury cheese, smoked pork belly and onion.

This is also the place to buy an athletically built poulet fermier (farmyard chicken), mussels, live langoustines and little fresh goat’s cheeses made 10km from Calais. If you want to avoid dull hotel breakfasts, note that the market cafés serve only coffee.

Instead, nip around the corner to the Café l’Impérial in Rue Lafayette for croissants and petit pains, but expect to share it with the café’s honoured canine guests.

But even in France, and especially in the larger towns, these traditions are being threatened by edge-of-town super/hypermarkets which inevitably threaten small producers and retailers. Calais has more than its fair share, especially with the Cité Europe Mall near the Channel Tunnel terminal. Tesco and Sainsburys are key players attracting many Brits who prefer the familiarity of known brands rather than the more risky adventure into foreign environments, French people who do not (or will not) speak English, and produce which is not uniform in shape or colour or nicely wrapped in plastic.

The escape route from the ferry terminal whisks you away onto the autoroute system via a chemical works and the usual untidy landscape of warehouses and freight yards, but it is worth exploring the town of Calais itself, which does retain the character of a fairly typical French town, with its impressive Town Hall (Hotel de Ville), markets and small shops.

And despite the disatrous exchange rate with the Euro there are still bargains to be had (especially on wine and spirits after the budget), ferry crossings are still cheap and the gallic atmosphere is free!

Fuel prices in France, now much the same as in the UK (except that Diesel remains cheaper) reflect the double impact of increasing oil costs and the poorer exchange rate:
Exchange rate £1.00 = € 1.2254 (as at 27 March 08)
Unleaded (sans plomb 95) € 1.345 = £1.10 per litre
Super unleaded (sans plomb 98) € 1.369 = £1.12 per litre
Diesel (gazole) € 1.2390 = £1.01 per litre.

Majestic Wine & Beer World in Calais – Pre Order over £400 of wine and beer from Majestic and get a FREE ferry crossing or £30 off!

Book your day trip with P&O

Unfortunately the towns of Vimy and Lens are not particularly exciting for the visitor – but Arras offers an impressive Grand Place (Square) and is a lively place to stay.

The chocolate expert is also on rue de la Monnaie near the musem l’Hospice Comtesse – his name is Benoit, and he is listed in all the gourmet guides..
A personal favourite is another fish restaurant, somewhat cheaper than l’Huitriere, but excellent food and service – l’Ecume des Mers, near the Grand Place – or if you are a fan of mussels and want something more bistro style – try Aux Moules in the rue de Bethune.

There is no shortage of places to stay in Lille to suit all pockets, but for a real sense of the place you could try the Jardin d’Alix, a B&B in the suburbs but on the tramway straight into the city centre.

Also until 20th January 2008 there is an exhibition of Chagall’s ceramics at the Roubaix Swimming Pool!

If you missed the Lille wine fair, Paris is the venue for the Independent Wine Makers’ WIne Fair – 22nd -26th November 2007.

However there are significant sections of autoroute which are toll free – most often these are around major towns and Cities (Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon etc).

In the North, the A16 is toll-free from Boulogne (J29) to the Belgian border (J36) via Calais and Dunkerque. The A25 from Dunkerque (J20) to Lille is free, so you can reach Lille from the main Channel ports without paying a toll!. Also all routes from Lille to the Belgian border.
The following autoroutes are toll free (as at September 2007)
A16 (part of the Autoroute des Estuaires (estuaries)) from Boulogne-sur-Mer (J29) to the Belgian border(J36)
A20 (L’Occitane) from Vierzon (J6 junction with A71) to Brive-la-Gaillarde (J53) via Chateauroux, Argenton and Limoges
A25 from Dunkerque (J20 with A16) to Lille
A28 from Abbeville (J1) to Rouen (J14)
A30/A31 (Autoroute de la Vallée de la Fensch) from Thionville (J1) to Toul (J12) via Metz and Nancy
A38 from Dijon (J33) to Pouilly-sur-Auxois (J24 and the junction with the A6)
A63 (Autoroute de la Cote Basque) from Bordeaux to Bellin-Bellet (J20)
A64 (la Pyreneenne) from St Martory (J20) to Muret (J25)
A68 (la Tarnaise) from Monastruc (J3 NE of Toulouse) to Albi (J11) via Gaillac
A75 (la Meridienne) from Clermont-Ferrand (J15) to Pezenas (J59) (except for the Millau Bridge) via Issoire
A77 (Autoroute de l’Arbre (trees)) from Pouilly (J26) to Nevers (J37)
A84 from Caen (J46) to Rennes (J25) via Avranches