MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
We are doing our first international motorhome holiday, and it involves coming back to Blighty via Calais on the ferry in a couple of weeks time.
We are booked onto a 10.30am crossing, and my seemingly naive 'Plan A' was to find a campsite within shouting distance of Calais, arrive the night before, have a leisurely croissant for breakfast and head to the port to get the ferry the next morning.
I've since thought about this plan and, on reflection, it may not be quite the relaxing sojourn I had hoped when one considers the number of visitors in the Calais area at the present time.
Anyone know if this plan is pie in the sky, bearing in mind I have two young kids and a nervous wife?
The wagon is hardly discreet, so trying to stealth it out is not really an option.
Has anyone done this recently, if so what was it like?
I'd welcome an informed view.
TIA
Can't you camp about 50/60km away?
Fair point, and, potentially, yes.
However, I heard that some hauliers are banning their drivers from stopping within 250km of Calais, so by those standards 50-60km doesn't cut the mustard.
I haven't been through Calais in a few years, so have no experience of the status quo, or if that 250km exclusion zone is scare-mongering or not. Is the local countryside really full of migrants?
Using 'common sense' 50km sounds good, but is it?
Scare mongering
50k away will be more than fine
You can sleep in the enormous car park at the ferry terminal I've done it a few times. It's always full of vans and motorhomes. It's well lit, quite busy and much safer than the streets of Calais or Dunkirk.
I've always just parked up in a quiet corner of Calais late at night. My van might be a bit more 'stealth' than yours though.
What do you think the risk is with migrants?
We stayed here last year. Not bad and only about 15 minutes drive into Calais. http://www.camping-la-bien-assise.com/
Past three years now we have done what your proposing and stayed a little north of Boulogne sur mer approx 30 to 40 mile away from calais, appreciate your concerns
Basic concern is picking up stowaways in the lockers.
The wagon has some handy hidy holes.
Thanks pacerc, just the job.
What is the plan for the previous day? How about a day on the beach at Le Touquet?
Plenty of campsites, and about an hour from Calais.
Not migrant related, but we stayed at a great campsite in Arras, and then did the hour or so run to the tunnel in the morning.
Basic concern is picking up stowaways in the lockers.The wagon has some handy hidy holes.
Really? Surely you'd notice?
Yeah, I'd notice. But asking them to get out could ruin the end of a nice holiday.
Thanks Alfabus. Unfortunately, my stag night was in Le Touquet. Not sure I'm welcome back there just yet...
+1 for La Bien Assize. Theres a bus stop just outside with n hourly service to Calais Town IIRC.
Chaz
+2 for la bien assise.
There's a free overnight car park at one of the hypermarkets, directly in front of the Police station. We stopped there with the caravan. I'd rather come back from Dunkirk, as it's quieter.
I usually stay in Adinkerke at a campsite in the dunes, bang on the Belgian border. Buy some cigs and booze. Half an hour drive to the chunnel. I did see people walking down the motorway the last time I was there mind you.
We've stayed [url= http://www.la-paille-haute.com ]here[/url] and it was really convenient. Near Arras.
OP, well done for the (natural) answers to Spins questions. Good luck with your trip.