Calais overnight

[anniej]

I have never thought of staying at Cite Europe. Is it well signposted at shuttle terminal? Have stayed one night at Le Crotoy in 2011. OMG next to sand dunes which manage to find there way into van when wind blows. Still finding French sand in 2015. Do not try going there on a French national holiday, we turned up on ascension day and squeezed in so we could shake hands with the vans either side

 

[chaser]

I have never thought of staying at Cite Europe. Is it well signposted at shuttle terminal? Have stayed one night at Le Crotoy in 2011. OMG next to sand dunes which manage to find there way into van when wind blows. Still finding French sand in 2015. Do not try going there on a French national holiday, we turned up on ascension day and squeezed in so we could shake hands with the vans either side

Literally around the corner, it is just the other side of the fence, don't even have to come out of the complex , off the train first right follow the camping car signs, five minutes, tops

 

[anniej]

Thanks Chaser will try Cite Europe. Is shuttle cheaper at night?

 

[Peatmoor]

We have stayed at Calais dozens of times. Never had a problem. Have had problems at Gravelines though with Germans and Dutch who thought they owned the place. Having said that, I asked one German who was hogging 2 pitches, to move to one side he was most apologetic, he complied with my request. Not bad for a German eh!

 

[iandsm]

We have stayed at Calais dozens of times. Never had a problem. Have had problems at Gravelines though with Germans and Dutch who thought they owned the place. Having said that, I asked one German who was hogging 2 pitches, to move to one side he was most apologetic, he complied with my request. Not bad for a German eh!

Are there make pitches now at Gravelins?

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[MikeD]

Are there make pitches now at Gravelins?

We were there a 15 months ago and on the land side of the road yes. The marina side was still unmarked.

 

[chaser]

We were there a 15 months ago and on the land side of the road yes. The marina side was still unmarked.

Marked on the other side now, but very generous no need to take two, in fact don't see how you could cover two even with tables and chairs out.

 

[brynric]

Anniej,
Yes the tunnel can be much cheaper at certain times. If you select an anti-social hour and an unpopular day, (not a Friday/Saturday at the start of school holidays) you can save quite a few pounds. The web site makes comparisons easy.

Iansm,
We there are markings but not very clear. I seem to remember the word "Payant" is marked on the kerbstones but there are no lines between pitches. We were there in October and they were landscaping the land side. I don't know what other work was planned.

Chaser (edit)
Sorry cross posted, your info is more it to date.

 

[Figaro]

We found Wissant fair but the lack of disposal facilities put us off, especially before our return home (what's done in France stays in France).

There was a place to dump waste when we were there in June last year, just on the right after entering.

 

[brynric]

There was a place to dump waste when we were there in June last year, just on the right after entering.

Thats a relief, when we were there a couple of years ago there was just a drive over grey drain ... which had been used to empty cassettes and was pretty disgusting.

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[Figaro]

Thats a relief, when we were there a couple of years ago there was just a drive over grey drain ... which had been used to empty cassettes and was pretty disgusting.

That`s maybe whats still there ! not the best but better than nothing and better than taking your waste home.
For a free Aire, I wasn`t complaining

 

[Minxy]

Be warned, the last time we stayed at Gravelines it was a pig-sty ....




literally ....





not kidding ...





honest ...

 

[brynric]

Be warned, the last time we stayed at Gravelines it was a pig-sty ....

View attachment 53403

Before you know it, we'll have a gassing thread.

 

[Minxy]

Before you know it, we'll have a gassing thread.

... there was no smell ... well not from the pig anyway!

 

[Judge Mental]

What has put me off Gravelines was the reports last year of it being overun with rats?

With all the nonsense going on in calais we normally drive away an hour or two and have a peaceful night....

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[JockandRita]

What has put me off Gravelines was the reports last year of it being overun with rats?

In all the times we've been, we've not seen one rat.

What annoys us about Gravelines nowadays, is that horrible fine red gravel they put down, which is like mud when it is wet. It gets everywhere you don't want it to.

Jock.

 

[Judge Mental]

We have stayed there probably ten times or so.....Im not talking about the odd rat but hordes of them..caused by construction work? Maybe they have moved on....

 

[chaser]

Be warned, the last time we stayed at Gravelines it was a pig-sty ....




literally ....





not kidding ...





honest ...





View attachment 53403

We're they out of someone's van, never seen rats though, obviously got to be some in a harbour

 

[brynric]

I would imagine there are rats there. I think I saw one once on the sluice gate.
I saw a kingfisher there as well which I found surprising. It was vivid against the mud.

 

[tattytony]

If the police patrols all night that means there are problems so best to stay clear.

Reason for the police patrols is the police station is less than 100 yards away

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[Yorkshirefreckles]

We often stay at Cite Europ and we've never experienced any difficulties - except with finding somewhere to put all the boxes and boxes of wine we bring back!!!

 

[gus-lopez]

Twice now we have been questioned by UK Border Control at Dunkerque, as to where we stayed the night before crossing.

Jock.

Didn't even know they existed over their ? Never seen one.

 

[sedge]

There are 2 aires at Le Crotoy, the other one is a hard surface, much much larger and far more civilised! At the top of the estuary - as you turn off the main road to go into the village you'll see a water tower (chateau d'eau) on the left, drive past that turning* and take the next left. Drive to the end of that rd, now facing the estuary, hand a left. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

* This is the little rd that takes you to the train station where the 'petit train' takes you to St Valery etc. Good fun!

 

[JockandRita]

Didn't even know they existed over their ? Never seen one.

The second checkpoint you come to Gus, after the French one which normally waves you on. Along with others, we have been searched whilst waiting in the loading lines.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

I've used Dunkerque frequently and for the last 4 or 5 years Border Control have checked inside every vehicle in the queues waiting to board.
Quite a thorough check of obvious, and not so obvious, peole-hiding places.

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[Gaston aires]

Wisssant is a nice aire in a nice place, 30 mins from tunnel. But if you get there late, its quite often full up, early is OK.
Phil

 

[Offagaingr8]

Was at Wissant Tuesday, the trees on the road side all been cut right back, passing traffic seemed louder
Buses started at 6am sat with engine running for a while
But still handy for tunnel as only 15 mins away

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

Also there's Le Grand Fort Phillippe which is in Gravelines, at the opposite side of the town. Just a car park really but with MH spaces market out. It can get full later in the day, but a nice place to spend your last few hours in France and only a few minutes from the ferry terminals/shuttle port.

 

[Portland]

You know that Ladies always say things opposite to what they mean!! She really was in LOVE with you

 

[JockandRita]

You know that Ladies always say things opposite to what they mean!! She really was in LOVE with you

Sorry, but you've lost me.

Jock.

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