A Croque Monsieur near Dunkirk

[CivicDuties]

Or a Croque Madame, come to that.

I shall shortly be travelling on the Dover - Dunkirk ferry. I usually take the Tunnel, but it's double the price this year so sod that.

I shall be on a very early morning ferry, and don't like eating onboard boats (tally ho, barf barf). I want to spend every single possible second of the sailing horizontal and resting (as I shall have been driving a far few hours to get to Dover, and have a long drive on the other side). Then, I shall need breakfast the other side.

If anyone is familiar with the immediate area around Dunkirk, I'd be grateful for any recommendations for a place to stop for a quick but satisfying breakfast, aside from motorway service stations. I'll be heading south towards Paris and beyond so somewhere on that route would be preferable.

Many thanks.

[Ussrcossack]

No idea!
You'll be on the motorway straight from the port

I think there is an Auchan in Loon Plage, might be able to get something there.

Their bakers is quite good and you can get some pastries

[CivicDuties]

Yes, thanks, I think I'm resigned to visiting Auchan, there's a Flunch and a Paul there. And hopefully the dustbin lids don't spot the McDonalds.

First Motorway Services I'll hit is Rely on the A26, it has got a Phileas Sandwich shop, which is a brand I've never heard of. Must be newish, I suppose.

France has changed, hasn't it, fast food has proliferated seemingly at the cost of the traditional cafes and the service station restaurants which used to be excellent - fondly recall the fresh hot counters with rabbit in prunes, coq au vin and potatoes au gratin and all that. Bit of a shame.

[Ussrcossack]

It certainly has CIvic.

Towns, cities and villages bypassed and the subsequent loss of local eateries.

Don't think a Flunch will be open until lunch time

[CivicDuties]

Have checked the Flunch at Gande-Synthe, it opens at 08.30, my ferry docks at 09.00. I think that's probably the place then, barring someone coming up with a blinding recommendation. Sigh. I just want a proper little French café for an excellent coffee and a croque monsieur. A thing existing in my fond memories only, it appears, outside of major town centres.