Trip Planning: North France

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DavShill · #16 Post by **DavShill** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:04 pm

Hi Will, we'll be going back to France on the centenary of Grt. Uncle George's death at the battle of Arrass in 1917. Arrass is a lovely town and well worth a visit then if you are in the area you must go the memorial at Vimy Ridge, it was such a strategic part of the "front" and the preserved trenches are so atmospheric, great visitor centre too.

Willopotomas · #17 Post by **Willopotomas** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:08 pm

Cheers bud. May take in there instead of Antwerp.

tyrekicker · #18 Post by **tyrekicker** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:05 pm

You may be pushed for time so it may be worth just looking at the sites in the Somme. Plenty of them and close together. Ypres is 2-3 hours from the Somme.
Plenty of campsites in the area. You could spend a week and still not see it all. Research what you want to see before you go and plan your route.

I would use the tunnel for the bike, you can get a cheap room in Dover if you need to rest before you go.

France is great for biking but avoid Paris if you value your sanity.

If you have not been over before make sure you check what you need to take.V5c, insurance, GB sticker etc. Make sure you have travel insurance and hi viz jacket. If using a sat nav turn off speed camera warnings.

Toll roads can be expensive but are the quickest way to travel if you just need to get there! It is a big country so when looking at a map don't compare it with UK distance.

Willopotomas · #19 Post by **Willopotomas** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:40 pm

It's actually turned out to be a car trip rather than bike trip. The initial idea was to load up the bikes and do the north coastal area of France, but that's now changed somewhat. The group has been whittled down to two and the destinations have done east rather than west (apart from LeMans).

Still, should be a good trip. Just looking to cram as much in as possible.