Route Suggestions - 3 Days Starting in Calais

[Aaron702]

Hello all. I am looking at doing my first trip to the continent on my FZ6 Fazer in early October.

I am relatively new to touring, having only previously done trips to Wales and the Isle of Wight. I have never ridden or driven outside of the UK.

My plan is to do a 3 day trip, the first day will be getting from Essex to France (early morning ferry and then as far from Calais as required) and check in to a hotel for 2 nights. The second day will then be exploring the area, before back to the hotel and then the third day travelling home.

I do appreciate that the trip is too short to get to any of the usual good spots, but the time and budget doesn't allow for a longer trip and I want to keep it fairly manageable as a touring newbie.

So with that said, I'm looking for suggestions for an area that is reachable from Calais within a day that I can base myself out of to then do a full days exploring.

Thanks in advance!

[TiminYorkshire]

I would head to southern Belgium, the Ardennes, and maybe stray over in to the Eifel in Germany. Some great spots and roads. Use motorways to blast down to Namur and then head on to Dinant, Bouillon, Spa and maybe Nurburg.

[Michael_B]

I was going to reply, and then saw the poster above had already written almost word for word what I had in mind.

I was in Belgium in July for the first time in many years (rode up from Switzerland to meet some UK-based chums at the Chimay Classic road racing), taking in a few twisty roads in the Ardennes each way. Already booked in again for 2025.

Bonne route!

[Biker9090]

What they said.

Biker Ranch in the Eifel region is a good place with a lot of good roads.

[zzrman]

I don't know if taking the Eurotunnel is within your budget but if it is I would take that as it wil give you at least an extra hour on the French side.

I would then head down to the Metz/Nancy area and on your exploration day head further South and check out the Vosges area.

You should decide nearer the time as the weather will be an important factor in where you want to go.

[black-k1]

If it's good roads you're after then, as already suggested, the Ardennes are your best bet. However, there are lots of WW1 and WW2 sites in the area of North West France that are interesting and definitely worth a look.

[spikeyhead]

Take a Ferry to Dunkirk rather than Calais, and definitely the ferry rather than Eurotunnel. Gives a chance for a reasonable meal on a comfortable seat

[GSA_fattie]

spikeyhead said:

Take a Ferry to Dunkirk rather than Calais, and definitely the ferry rather than Eurotunnel. Gives a chance for a reasonable meal on a comfortable seat

this and it is not as busy, certainly coming back is usually very quiet