dover to calais to ???

[shaun3937]

I'm hoping to cross the channel to Calais in a few weeks for a weekend trip on the bike and was wondering if anyone could suggest places or routes to go from Calais?
Either France or Belgium direction, not fussed.
Hotel and sights worth trying would also be helpful/welcome......
Going out on Friday afternoon and coming back Sunday evening so can't venture too far.

[Porky]

ask sanctu, he's in Belgium near Spa - our latest euro member

[Tazzy]

belgium is brilliant for a short break, loads to see and nice village with restaurants and shops.etc

[Porky]

belgium is brilliant for shops.etc

(edited posting)

thats a womans view for ya 
& they make nice buns

[Tazzy]

porky! u being cheeky again!


oooooo, and there's a nice choccy shop

[shaun3937]

Looks like we're just going to cross Dover to Calais then make our way to Boulogne, then use that as a base for the 2 days we'll be there.
Still waiting for some suggestions or recommendations though for routes, hotel, sights to see.....anyone?

[pinklet]

maybe our new member from france can help you?

i used to go over to france quite often and used to head for st omer, its not very far away but its a nice little market town with some nice bars n places to eat.

[Shooting Star]

Personally I'd head inland and away from the coast.  The scenery is better and more typical of rural France & the roads quieter.  Having said that if it's twisty's you are after then Northern France isn't renown for them.

A blast down the Autoroute to Arras and then head out onto the A & D roads.  Aim for somewhere like St Quentin or any other town(s) in the area and you'll find some good roads through quaint old towns & villages.  Don't worry about heading too far south as all you need to do to return to the ferry at Calais at the end of your weekend is jump onto the Autoroute (E15 or E17) & head north.  You'll retrace your journey back to the ferry in less than 2 hours.

Don't overlook the obvious and take a look at www.bestbikingroads.com  Head for some of these and you'll not be disappointed.

Take a decent Michelin map and just ride;  Have fun!

[Thomas]

being a Belgian I can advice you to go to Boulogne and the Cap Griz Nez and the Cap Blanc Nez.
More interesting, better food and better roads.

There is lots to see in Belgium, that is true, problem is they left no place for nice road 

Roads can be rough at the French coast also but at least they have twists. As were Belgian roads are straight and have bad road conditions!

Here are some pictures of that region: (Boulogne)
http://www.schoendoos.be/Photoshoots/2007-07-21/index.html

Visit little towns like Wissant and Wimereux and have a meal in the old city part of Boulogne and you will not regret your trip!

[shaun3937]

Thanks to Shooting Star for such comprehensive info and Thomas for the stuff on Belgium.
I can say we have done the trip and just stuck to Calais to Boulogne along the coastal road and it was really nice.  Lots of bikers use it, some decent twistys, and now we've had a tase for it we'll be planning a longer trip, using your advice, next year.
Cheers guys