Taking the family for a day out can be expensive. For example a family ticket for attractions such as Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures or Thorpe Park costs £78. With SpeedFerries you can get a Day Trip to France for just £29 (for a standard car and up to 5 passengers).
As soon as you arrive in Boulogne, there’s an unmistakable ‘French’ feel about the town. SpeedFerries’ terminal is in close proximity to the Fishermen’s market and beautiful sandy beaches. There’s ample Free Parking in the town with some very conveniently at the port itself, which is in easy walking distance to the heart of the town.
Boulogne has a direct link to the A16 in France and provides the most direct route to Paris. Just 2 and a half hours! It is ideally situated for travel to all areas but is perfectly suited to those who like a day out with a little ‘je ne sais quoi!’
Although SpeedFerries has a very good store of its own within Boulogne port which is excellent for buying bulk bargains, like most towns in France, Boulogne has a number of large ‘Les Hyper Marché’ such as Auchan and Le E.Clerc, but the town itself has some excellent smaller shops with real character. The town has genuine charm and you’ll enjoy strolling around the ramparts of the medieval city wall and choosing from an array of excellent restaurants in which to stop for lunch.
Please note that currently DayTrips can be booked up to a maximum of 2 months in advance.
The Famous French Christmas Markets
Providing the ideal opportunity to stock up on Christmas goodies, many French Christmas markets are easily accessible on a DayTrip. Renowned for their festive atmosphere as well as offering a huge selection of quality local produce, regional specialities, beautifully packaged chocolates, sweets and cakes, handcrafted gifts and Christmas decorations, you should find something for everyone. Click here to read more about French Christmas Markets.
Exclusive restaurant offers for SpeedFerries customers
Les Terrasses de l’Enclos: Located in a 19th century charming mansion next to the cathedral, this restaurant proposes art of cooking food including fish specialities. Offer for SpeedFerries customers: a free glass of wine to discover. Address: 2, enclos de l’évêché (old town). Tel: 0033 391 900 590 - www.enclosdeleveche.com
Le Welsh Pub – La Table de Nicolas: Located in the town center, the famous brasserie recently coupled with a very smart restaurant to propose you local specialties, fish and seafood. Offer for SpeedFerries customers: a free glass of wine to discover. Address: Place Dalton. Tel: 0033 321 315 131 - www.welshpub.com
Aux Pêcheurs d’Etaples: In a typical marine environment, this restaurant where you can enjoy eating fish and seafood directly from our sea also gives you the opportunity to buy fresh fish. Offer for SpeedFerries customers: a free glass of the traditional French kir (white wine with sirup). Address: 31, Grande rue. Tel: 0033 321 302 929 - www.auxpecheursdetaples.com
L’Ilot Vert: Modern and design restaurant with traditional food and home made desserts. Offer for SpeedFerries customers: a free glass of kir. Address: 34, rue de Lille (old town). Tel: 0033 321 920 162
O Sud: Located on the place Dalton this restaurant offers you North and South specialties in a Mediterranean atmosphere. You will find a terrace, an arched cellar, a dinning room and a lounge bar. Offer for SpeedFerries customers: 10% discount on the bill. Address: Place Dalton. Tel: 0033 321 839 705 - www.restaurantosud.com
Le Brussel’s: Belgian brasserie with a large selection of beers. Offer for SpeedFerries customers: a free glass of French traditional aperitif (French sparkling wine with a traditional sirup). Address: 5 Place Frédérique Sauvage (just in front of SpeedFerries). Tel: 0033 321 329 197 - www.lebrusselscafe.com
Le Bureau: Traditional French brasserie located in the town center. Offer for SpeedFerries customers: 10% discount on the bill. Address: Place Dalton. Tel.: 0033 321 314 017.
Things to do – Places to visit
Ville Haute - Ramparts
The Upper City sits on a hill overlooking the town centre and port. Enter the cobble stoned streets with their ancient buildings through one of the four medieval stone gates built between 1227 – 1231 by Count Philippe Hurepel, the son of King Philippe Auguste. You can walk around the tree lined ramparts which offer a superb panoramic view of the town.
Once within the ramparts, you will find yourself surrounded by ancient buildings; in the centre is the L’Hôtel de Ville (town hall), which dates back to 1734 and is open to the public, there’s an amazing view from its belfry.
Basilique Notre Dame
Also within the Ville Haute is Boulogne’s Cathedral. Rebuilt in the 19th century, the original having been destroyed during the French revolution, the Cathedral was seen as a symbol of the revival of the French Catholic Church.
The Château - Musée
Built during the same period as the ramparts, the Château is the centre piece of the entire fortifications. Inside this beautifully constructed castle you’ll find the chapel, Baronial hall, under-ground passages and the magnificent gothic Salle Barbiére (armoury) which adjoins the ancient gaol.
Place Dalton and Food Markets.
Away from the high or old town is another aspect of Boulogne, the Ville Basse or lower town, in the centre of which is the Place Dalton dominated by the church of St Nicholas. Around here enchanting streets offer a wide selection restaurants and cafés to choose from. Saturday sees the arrival of a food and flower market containing a vast selection of cheeses, fruit and vegetables, meats and breads.
Nausicca Aquarium
It’ll take the best part of your day to enjoy The French National Sea Experience Centre where visitors can discover the marine environment. An amazing aquarium with numerous exhibitions displaying sea life, possibly never having been seen or heard of before. Jelly fish, Sharks, Tropical Fish and even a Sea Lion show - Nausicca has it all.
Mur de l'antlantique
An interesting World War II museum housed in a large bunker which was one of the seven most important constructions by the German Army. Models dressed in uniforms, guns and ammunition, a small collection of tanks and mock-up bunker rooms. Over 3,000 objects in just ten rooms. Outside you will see a K5 railway gun of 280mm calibre capable of firing across to London. This is one of only two still in existence - the other being in the USA.
Boulonnais Nature Park
Riding on a cart drawn by the famous Boulonnais horses, you see the countryside of the Boulonnais nature park at a peaceful pace - the park contains beautiful downland hills, valleys and a spectacular natural coastline with miles of cliffs, wide sandy beaches, sand dunes and marshes - there are a variety of reserves preserving valuable habitats and their wildlife.
This is just a sample of the catalogue of things to do and see on a trip to Boulogne. A leaflet with further information is usually available from our Engine Bay Café in Dover.
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