Club Arnage

We normally stop at Rouen on Sunday night. However, this year Speedferries is the crossing of choice, so somewhere closer to Bolougne is required.

Is Le Touquet any good for an evening ?

Any hotel or restaurant suggestions ?

Anybody else planning on stopping there ?

I'm heading in this general direction on Sunday night (because the Portsmouth crossings are far too expensive).

I was looking at Abbeville for a stop, that way, we can join the team from Kent on the 04:30 ferry (and the 03:00 lock in) as they steam past about 08:00, with circuit at lunchtime.

We were planning a quiet night in, but what are you suggesting/how bigs the party.

SORRY IS THIS SUNDAY OUT OR SUNDAY BACK?

Lorry,

This is Sunday back. There is ofcourse the possibility of a footy match to watch. When we know the groups, it'll be clear if we're playing or not.

Whoops - I'm Sunday out Monday back, but look at Accorhotels.com for Formule1 and Etap cheap hotels (and better)at Abbeville.  The only entertainment seem to be the Buffalo Grill

Mighty fine golf course! very, very wet and very, very windy is my recollection of the place ;)

In a word, no.
If you'd like some help - pm me.

Le Touquet is pleasant enough but it's up it's own arse, a bit like a Tunbridge Wells on Sea.

When I first went there I expected to find the streets paved with gold. In reality, they were paved, like anywhere else, with concrete slabs; slabs liberally smeared in dogshit. All the high falutin' women have those fashion-accessory miniature Yorkshire Terriers perched in their Burberry handbags. It's that kinda place, all kippers and curtains.

It's a poor relation to Deauville if you ask me.

Didnt like it then   :-\

Thanks one and all.

Time for a re-think then........

If you are considering Abbeville at all, then the Ibis at Abbeville Est is dead convenient for quick and easy access from the paege plus there is a quality french eatery right next door so you don't have to endure the Ibis dogshite.
Stayed there plenty of times, but it became a bit of a slog for the sunday evening.

We've also stayed a few times at Amiens, taking in the ubiquitous Ibis again, but there are a flurry of decent bars (one of which will definately be showing footy ) and good restaurants. Real handy for the somme if you have time to show a bit of resect. Again the same trouble as with Abbeville, it's a hell of a rush to get there for  a decent time.

Thats why we now go to Rouen.
Rusty

The Ibis is a bit extravagent, isn't it with a Formule  1 down the road (and an Etap soon).  Any particular reason?

I'm asking because I'm looking for a stopover the other way, and these places seem to shut reception at 9pm, and I was planning to arrive later.  Premiere Classe seem to have some sort of automatic card key issuer, which would be ideal, but I can't figure out how it works.

I've only used a Formule 1 the one time but that had automatic keypad entry as well. They email you a pin number with your booking confirmation and that gets you in the outer gate to access the car park and into the front door.

Ever thought of staying the extra night on the campsite and take a lesually drive back to the channel ports on Monday morning. We have always done this and of course the sites are a lot quieter on Sunday nights. The showers are open until 10ish on Monday morning with no Qs after about 6 on Sunday evening so you can get cleaned up before the drive back. It's a surreal atmosphere after the race has finished and it all goes quiet. I reckon it's better to stay on than to sit in traffic for hours with an accumilation of dust and sweaty bodies for company.

We always stay in Le Mans till Monday morning then take a nice and steady drive back to Calais. The city centre is pretty quiet and it is good to have a meal on a china plate and eat it with a metal knife and fork.

Damn good idea. I always leave bang on 1600 Sunday, or stay the extra night and eat in Le Mans. I'm lucky, as it's only 3 hours home now, but there's always plenty to do in Rouen on a Sunday night, unlike most other places.
You're always welcome to PM me for details.

Thanks for the feedback and advice eveyone - we've decided to stay with Rouen and hit the Paddy Bar on Sunday night for football (who ever is playing).

See you there Rusty ?