Discussion
Right, I've discussed this with a few folks so far (well two actually) but there seems to be support for a Surrey run into France. Current plan is to head for Epernay (Champagne capital of France). A tour of the vaults of Moet et Chandon is very reasonably priced at about 15 Euros or so and there's some reasonably priced eateries in Epernay too. I'd estimate that Epernay is about 3 hours or so from Calais, so a round trip may be possible in a day. Alternatively we could stay overnight and factor in more scenic drive back for the ferry.
Who's in and what format would you prefer?
Steve.
Edited to say there's free samples at the tourist information office.
>>> Edited by Steve_T on Sunday 16th February 21:54
Who's in and what format would you prefer?
Steve.
Edited to say there's free samples at the tourist information office.
>>> Edited by Steve_T on Sunday 16th February 21:54
What about a visit to Mumm in Riems, the Formula One champagne. Just to the north of Epernay.
BTW, the 'Caves' close for a LONG lunch......
Plus a visit to the old track about 4 clicks to the north-east of Riems? Part of the N31 and a loop -the D27 between Muison and Thilois.
Also, about 30 clicks to the north near Laon is a lake where one can hire jet-skis.
Melv
BTW, the 'Caves' close for a LONG lunch......
Plus a visit to the old track about 4 clicks to the north-east of Riems? Part of the N31 and a loop -the D27 between Muison and Thilois.
Also, about 30 clicks to the north near Laon is a lake where one can hire jet-skis.
Melv
Karen here (Mrs T)
. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Keep them coming. Steve and I spent three days and two nights in France in September of last year. It was fantastic!. I'm sure we can organise a day trip as well as a longer run.
There is a huge free car park next to the cathedral and from there you are free to explore the champagne houses that are within walking distance!!!. Moet et Chandon offer an amazing tour of their cellars (with tastings), next door Perrier Jouier do the same. Up the road (500 metres)is Mercier, where you are taken by a scenic lift to the cellars followed by a ride on a lazer-guided train past all the bottles. You find out (in detail) about the grapes, blending and history of this famous french export.
We found a fantastic restaurant nearby, The Sardine, which offers lunch/dinner at very reasonable prices. I hope this sounds tempting.
I'll get the calender out later and we'll start throwing around some dates.
Dorset Dawdle was a blast(I'm bringing my bucket and spade next time!).
. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Keep them coming. Steve and I spent three days and two nights in France in September of last year. It was fantastic!. I'm sure we can organise a day trip as well as a longer run. There is a huge free car park next to the cathedral and from there you are free to explore the champagne houses that are within walking distance!!!. Moet et Chandon offer an amazing tour of their cellars (with tastings), next door Perrier Jouier do the same. Up the road (500 metres)is Mercier, where you are taken by a scenic lift to the cellars followed by a ride on a lazer-guided train past all the bottles. You find out (in detail) about the grapes, blending and history of this famous french export.
We found a fantastic restaurant nearby, The Sardine, which offers lunch/dinner at very reasonable prices. I hope this sounds tempting.
I'll get the calender out later and we'll start throwing around some dates.
Dorset Dawdle was a blast(I'm bringing my bucket and spade next time!).
Karen said: ...
(I'm bringing my bucket and spade next time!).
Get Steve to buy you one next time - he has enough toys !
My preference would be an overnight stop allowing time to sample and then sober up before returning home ! I will give some thought to a parallel run from StMalo if there are few from the West interested in going.
Bob
Subject to dates we would like to join in the fun. Other half is a teacher so a weekend would be good with an overnight stay. We've just booked a 3 night trip to Reims with Eurotunnel holidays who have a good selection of hotel/tunnel packages. They might do a deal if there's enough of us wanting a overnight stay.
Mick
Mick
I'm thinking a weekend in July or August, probably August. What dates can you do folks? Also, any idea when Mania will be this year? I'd like to avoid a clash if at all possible.
Cheers,
Steve
P.S. If we can decide on a date pronto, then we ought to be able to get ferry tickets or similar for £100. The longer we leave it the worse it'll be.
>> Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 18th February 12:50
Cheers,
Steve
P.S. If we can decide on a date pronto, then we ought to be able to get ferry tickets or similar for £100. The longer we leave it the worse it'll be.
>> Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 18th February 12:50
Hi Steve
Sounds good to me - have been to Reims twice in the past and has been great on both occasions. But definitely would suggest the overnight option as Reims is not Lille and 6 hrs driving on toll roads can be taxing!
ANYWAY, the hotels in Reims centre are fine, I stayed at the Holiday Inn and it is 30 min drive to Epernay, which is where the main champers houses are based. There are some really great roads there and just following the "tourist route de champagne" brings you through some fantastic quaint villages aptly named "Bouzey" and "Dizzy"....
Parking is also a relief too, i think they still don`t charge between 12pm-2pm... and when they charge, £1 gets you 40 min or something like that...!
I have got a wedding (not mine!
)in the Sth of Paris on 23 August and planning to take the week off to goto Cannes/Antibes etc in the Chim while I am there, so if your trip falls within that week (16-23 Aug) then I'd be very interested in planning my French trip around it!
Cheers
Sounds good to me - have been to Reims twice in the past and has been great on both occasions. But definitely would suggest the overnight option as Reims is not Lille and 6 hrs driving on toll roads can be taxing!
ANYWAY, the hotels in Reims centre are fine, I stayed at the Holiday Inn and it is 30 min drive to Epernay, which is where the main champers houses are based. There are some really great roads there and just following the "tourist route de champagne" brings you through some fantastic quaint villages aptly named "Bouzey" and "Dizzy"....
Parking is also a relief too, i think they still don`t charge between 12pm-2pm... and when they charge, £1 gets you 40 min or something like that...!
I have got a wedding (not mine!
)in the Sth of Paris on 23 August and planning to take the week off to goto Cannes/Antibes etc in the Chim while I am there, so if your trip falls within that week (16-23 Aug) then I'd be very interested in planning my French trip around it! Cheers
Hang on a minute, when did I say anything about Reims? 
I see the format as:
DAY 1:
Drive to ferry
Get on ferry
Cross channel
Get off ferry
[Optional: Find a Petrol Station and fill up]
Drive for a bit ~100 miles
Stop for lunch [and probably Petrol too]
Drive the rest of the way, arrive in Epernay and park up
[Optional: Tour of one Champagne Houses at this time, but not if we've taken a more scenic route on the way down]
Dinner around 6 ish, then
and finally sleepy time at the end of day 1.
DAY 2:
Spot of Breakfast
Perhaps a tour of a Champagne House or a short drive round the region
Purchase any beverages which take your fancy
Lunchtime maybe we drive to a nice picnic spot for a light lunch
Back in the cars for some more driving heading back north this time ~100 Miles.
[Optional: get some petrol]
Afternoon Tea/Rest Stop
Second leg of the Journey to Calais
Optional: Hypermarket stop for those who want to get some cheap beer
Get on Ferry
Cross Channel
Get Off Ferry
Go Home
>> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 19th February 12:45
>> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 19th February 12:45
I see the format as: DAY 1:
Drive to ferry
Get on ferry
Cross channel
Get off ferry
[Optional: Find a Petrol Station and fill up]
Drive for a bit ~100 miles
Stop for lunch [and probably Petrol too]
Drive the rest of the way, arrive in Epernay and park up
[Optional: Tour of one Champagne Houses at this time, but not if we've taken a more scenic route on the way down]
Dinner around 6 ish, then
and finally sleepy time at the end of day 1.
DAY 2:
Spot of Breakfast
Perhaps a tour of a Champagne House or a short drive round the region
Purchase any beverages which take your fancy
Lunchtime maybe we drive to a nice picnic spot for a light lunch
Back in the cars for some more driving heading back north this time ~100 Miles.
[Optional: get some petrol]
Afternoon Tea/Rest Stop
Second leg of the Journey to Calais
Optional: Hypermarket stop for those who want to get some cheap beer
Get on Ferry
Cross Channel
Get Off Ferry
Go Home
>> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 19th February 12:45
>> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 19th February 12:45
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