Calais to Metz - route and stopover suggestions via Belgium

[Pocket Rocket]

Hi all, we’re getting the Eurotunnel over and travelling to Metz. Normally we just hammer down the autoroute but this time we fancy going via Belgium (cheaper and different).

Any advice re the best route and any particular highlights that are worth stopping to have a wander? Equally we’re happy to push on to Metz and beyond (ultimately heading for the alps).

Is it worth stoping to fill up with diesel in Luxembourg?

So we’re looking for somewhere to stopover within a 1 hour drive of the Eurotunnel, probably somewhere between Bergues to Lille.

Safe, quiet, away from any shops or bars. Happy to stay on a campsite or informal carpark somewhere rural and peaceful. Any suggestions?

Also, anywhere suggestions for a similar stopover near Metz?

Thanks all

 

[MichaelT]

The boat lifts at Thieu are worth going to, you can also stop by the old ones next to the canal.

 

[orridge]

We like stopping over at Hans Sur Less just off the E41 before you get down to Arlon. Caves, good walks and peaceful Aire.

 

[GAVLAD]

Bastogne - aire near centre
Luxembourg - stayed on a site but would look for aire next time

 

[Roby2008]

This week the Diesel in Lux was 30cents per Liter cheaper than Germany....worth going through

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[Pocket Rocket]

Great suggestions! Thanks all

 

[Reallyretired]

I stopped a few weeks back at Montmedy. A Vauban fortified place quite like Bergues. However it's not a long trip to Metz on the free Belgian motorways so normally I would just do it in one.

 

[PlacidoD]

I guess you are getting a latish Eurotunnel departure otherwise you could easily make Metz in the day.

I have no suggestions for a stop-over (I normally make the area around Haguenau) But below a suggestion for a route with a bit of variety:

Lille to Tournai and onto E42 to just short of Mons
Take the R5 then head across to the N40
Follow the N40 through Beaumont, Philippeville, Givet and Beauraing
then join the E411/E25 at Wellin and on into Luxembourg
From the centre of the city it is straight run down the A3 and A31 to Metz.

That route gives a bit of variety if you are not in a hurry. I have used that route on and off for 15 years. At Givet you have the potential to lunch alongside the River Marne (Check out Google StreetView and you will see what I mean - Worst case scenario you can cross to the South side of the river, park there and walk back across the bridge. Alternatively there is a McDonalds on a retail park with lots of parking about 2 miles on.)

Hope that helps?

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Thanks all.

We are arriving in France on the Eurotunnel at about 5pm, after a long day driving down through the UK, so don’t want to travel much further that day, hence wanting a stopover within an hour of the Eurotunnel.

The next day we were planning on driving for about 4 hours, which should take us to about Metz, but happy to see a few things enroute

 

[Bramidan]

Have a look at Schengen on Park4Night.
No services but toilets in cafe.
Next to a couple of lakes.
Remerchen

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[CamperManLez]

Hi all, we’re getting the Eurotunnel over and travelling to Metz. Normally we just hammer down the autoroute but this time we fancy going via Belgium (cheaper and different).

Any advice re the best route and any particular highlights that are worth stopping to have a wander? Equally we’re happy to push on to Metz and beyond (ultimately heading for the alps).

Is it worth stoping to fill up with diesel in Luxembourg?

So we’re looking for somewhere to stopover within a 1 hour drive of the Eurotunnel, probably somewhere between Bergues to Lille.

Safe, quiet, away from any shops or bars. Happy to stay on a campsite or informal carpark somewhere rural and peaceful. Any suggestions?

Also, anywhere suggestions for a similar stopover near Metz?

Thanks all

Metz has two aires, just hit google maps with Metz and nearby campsite and it will show you, otherwise a bit north of Metz is a camping car park location at Amiville (or something like that) I have used that one. For Lux if you try that then Camping Kockleshuer is good ( been several times) bus stop just down the road for the city and it’s free like all public transport in Lux.

 

[cyberyacht]

Did a one night stopover at Petit Coo, about 100 miles short of Metz. Freebie car park for the night. Reasonable restaurant "Le Baron" on the corner where you turn in to the car park.

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Thanks folks! All really useful, looking forward to checking some of these places … my first visit to Belgium!

 

[EMS]

Metz municipal site is next to the river an ideal site to walk into the city. there is also an aire before you enter the campsite so you have the choice. The campsite has a cafe and bread for the breakfast. We always use this route via Belgium to Luxembourg for the cheap fuel when we go to Switzerland to see family. Be aware that there are now motorways without places to pay (can pay on exit via a machine but we had problems as it did not correctly recognise our registration plate!).