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AREA
1: DUNKERQUE, CASSEL & FRENCH FLANDERS
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B&B
Near the Belgian border
A warm English-speaking
welcome
to Ons Kot, a Belgian-owned B&B buried in the countryside
near Hondschoote, 17km south-east of Dunkerque. Delicious evening meals
available on prior reservation.
Ons Kot, 1200 Chemin du Clachoire,
59122 Hondschoote (tel : 03 28 20 76 87).
Photograph from B&B website
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HOTEL
In the walled town of Bergues
The 2-star Logis hotel Au Tonnelier offers simple
accommodation in the heart
of this attractive old market town near Dunkerque. Restaurant on the
spot; others within walking distance.
Au Tonnelier,
2-4, Rue du Mont de Piété,
59380 Bergues (tel : 03 28 68 70 05).
Photograph from hotel website
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HOTEL
In the centre of a Flanders village
The 3-star Logis hotel, Hostellerie St-Louis, and its restaurant, at Bollezeele is
popular with British visitors and conveniently placed equidistant from
Calais, Dunkerque and St-Omer.
Dogs
accepted.
Hostellerie
Saint Louis, 47 Rue de l'Eglise, 59470
Bollezeele
(tel: 03 28 68 81 83).
Photograph from hotel website
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B&B
In rural Flanders
The Chiloups have created
lovely modern guest-rooms in their former farmhouse
known as the Pantgat Hof. Located outside Bollezeele, it is in a
peaceful
setting not far from Calais and Dunkerque.
Evening meals on reservation.
Pantgat Hof, 27 bis Rue de Metz,
59470 Bollezeele (tel: 03
28 68 00 87)
Photograph
from B&B website
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HOTEL
Village centre, near Hazebrouck
The 2-star Logis hotel the
Auberge de la Forêt lies on the
crossroads
in La Motte-au-Bois, just south of Hazebrouck and an hour’s drive from Calais. Simply-furnished rooms; rather
more sophisticated restaurant and cooking.
Auberge de
la Forêt,
La Motte au Bois, 59190 Hazebrouck
(tel: 03 28 48 08 78).
Photograph from hotel website
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AREA
2: CALAIS, BOULOGNE,
ST-OMER & WORLD WAR II
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HOTEL
Among the Audomarois marshes, near St-Omer
The waterside, 2-star Hotel du Romlaëre, near St-Omer, offers simple first-floor
rooms in a tranquil setting alongside a canal. Good local dishes in the hotel’s restaurant.
Animals accepted.
Hotel du Romelaëre,
Chemin du Grand-St-Bernard,
62500 Clairmarais (tel :03 21 38 95 95).
Photograph from hotel website
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HOTEL
Peaceful 18thC country house near Ardres
The Château
de Cocove is surrounded by parkland near Recques-sur-Hem,
about half an hour’s drive south-east of Calais. The 3-star hotel may not be quite as
grand as the name implies, but rooms
are reasonable and the restaurant is good.
Château de Cocôve, Avenue de Cocôve, 62890 Recques-sur-Hem
(tel: 03 21 02 68 29).
Photograph
from hotel website
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HOTEL
Converted watermill, near Licques
The Moulin
d’Audenfort stands beside a ford on a gurgling river. It’s popular with
British visitors for its attractive setting, warm welcome, simple rooms, and
good food. Rooms from 52€, menus from 20€ (restaurant closed Mon).
16 Impasse du Gué, Audenfort, 10km S of Ardres (tel: 03 21 00 13 16).
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Photograph
from gîte website
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SELF-CATERING
Marais d’Opale & St-Omer area
Two charming adjoining cottages (Planty
and La Chaumière) for rent near St-Omer golf course, Rando-Rail, La
Coupole and recommended wildlife walks.
Owners: M et Mme Lasset:
(tel: 03 21 39 97 50;
mobile: 06 78 01 78 82).
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B&B
In Boulogne’s old town
The Enclos
de l’Evêché is a lovely old town house near the domed cathedral of
Boulogne (open-air public parking adjacent). It has
five elegant bedrooms, and its own restaurant (closed Sun evg-Tues lunch inclusive), with
menus from 19.50 euros (Wed-Sat lunchtimes, except public holidays).
Enclos de l’Évêché, 6 Rue de Pressy, Boulogne sur Mer (tel: 03 91 90 05 90).
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Photograph
from B&B website
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B&B
On seafront at Wimereux
Mary Avot’s B&B in an
elegant Edwardian-style villa, La Goélette, on the promenade at
Wimereux (between
Calais and Boulogne) is in a wonderful position, with great
sea views
to enjoy from the breakfast room.
La Goélette,
13 Digue de mer,
62930 Wimereux (tél : 03 21 32 62 44).
Photograph from B&B
website
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Picture
available on website only
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CAMPING
Near St-Omer, Calais & WII
relics
The Château du
Gandspette is a 3-star campsite at Eperlecques, within 30 minutes’ drive
of Calais. It is very close to
the awe-inspiring Blockhaus d’Eperlecques,
a sombre remnant of WWII.
Château du
Gandspette,
133 Rue du Gandspette,
62910 Éperlecques (tel: 03 21 93 43 93).
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CAMPING
Outside Guînes; handy for Calais
The Castel-Camping Bien-Assise campsite, at Guînes (where Henry VIII met
French king Francis I at the Field of the Cloth of Gold) is a popular stop
for visitors
travelling to and from England, as Calais is only 15 minutes’ drive.
Here is a review from Alan Rogers’ website.
La Bien Assise, on D 231 road,
62340 Guînes (tel: 03.21 35 20 77). .
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AREA
3: LE TOUQUET, MONTREUIL, HESDIN
& THE SEVEN VALLEYS
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B&B AND
SELF-CATERING
Seven Valleys area
B&B and self-catering
apartments.
The Longhouse is near the centre of Beaurainville, a
village on the river Canche between Montreuil and Hesdin.
There is a selection of restaurants a short drive away, in neighbouring
villages.
The Long House
59 Rue du Petit Beaurain,
62990 Beaurainville
(tel : 03 21 86 36 93).
Photograph
from B&B website
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SELF-CATERING GITES
Seven Valleys area
The Abbaye de St-André offers
three adjoining gites, or holiday cottages, in a corner of a vast,
enclosed farmyard of a former abbey, between Montreuil and Hesdin. Each has a small private
garden,
plus a large grassy communal space in front.
The Vitse family, Hameau de St André,
62870 Gouy-Saint-André
(tel: 03 21 90 32 97).
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Photograph
Angela Bird
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Photograph
Angela Bird
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HOTEL
Centre of historic Montreuil
The Château de
Montreuil is a Relais et Châteaux establishment offering 4-star comfort,
a peaceful garden and a Michelin-starred restaurant in the centre of this
attractive fortified town. Rooms from 200€; menus 38€-90€.
4 Chaussée des Capucins, 62170 Montreuil
(tel: 03 21 81 53 04).
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HOTEL
In centre of historic Montreuil
A 3-star hotel in the centre
of Montreuil, the Hotel Hermitage is resolutely modern. Backing onto the
Wine Society’s France shop, it is built within the shell of an
ancient brick monastery. Lifts to all floors; restaurants within easy walking
distance.
Hotel Hermitage, Place Gambetta, 62170 Montreuil
(tél : 03 21 06 74 74).
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Photograph
from hotel website
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Photograph
from B&B website
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B&B
In centre of historic Montreuil
An elegant 3-épi bed-and-breakfast,
La Rodiere is an 18th-century town house,
on a town-centre square. Rooms on second floor. Double room 60 euros.
Restaurants within walking distance.
La Rodiere, 77 Rue Pierre-Ledent,
62170 Montreuil (tel : 03 21 81 54
68).
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B&B
In the valley of the river
Canche
The Moulin de Fillièvres is a
comfortable B&B in an old watermill located
at Fillièvres, between Hesdin & St-Pol-sur-Ternoise, in an area known for
its
many delightful gardens. Convivial evening meals around a large table with
your hosts, the Legrands, on prior reservation. Courtyard parking.
Le Moulin de Fillièvres,
16 Rue de St Pol, 62770 Fillièvres
(tel : 03 21 41 13 20).
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Photograph
from B&B website
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Photograph
from hotel website
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HOTEL
Near the seafront at Berck
Excellent dining in the 2-star
Logis hotel L’Impératrice, set in a side
street a stone’s throw from the sea at the rather Blackpool-like resort of Berck-sur-Mer,
south of Le Touquet. Garage parking available.
Hôtel-Restaurant de
l'Impératrice,
43 Rue de la Division Leclerc/2 Rue de Rothschild, 62600 Berck-sur-Mer
(tel :03 21 09 01 09).
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AREA
4: AMIENS, CRÉCY AND THE WILDLIFE OF
THE SOMME BAY
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HOTEL
On
the Somme estuary
Its exotic brick pinnacles make it easy to find the attractive
waterfront hotel Les Tourelles in the small
seaside resort of Le Crotoy. Stylish décor in rooms, bar and restaurant,
though not all rooms are en-suite.
Dogs accepted.
Les Tourelles, 2-4 Rue
Pierre-Guerlain, 80550 Le Crotoy (tel : 03 22 27 16 33).
Photograph from hotel website
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HOTEL
In Amiens city centre
The
modern Ibis Amiens Centre Cathédrale
hotel is a good choice for those touring
the Somme battlefields, but who may have companions keener on less rural
attractions. It’s a short stroll to shops, museums, restaurants and
world-famous cathedral.
The hotel offers underground car parking
and a fairly basic restaurant; lots of good restaurants within walking
distance.
Ibis Amiens
Centre Cathédrale,
4 Rue du Maréchal de Lattre
80000 Amiens (tel: 03 22 92 57 33).
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B&B
Quiet village location
Near the tourist
attraction of Samara, this old presbytery offers B&B in ground-floor
rooms and – on prior reservation – evening meals as well. Les Prés du
Mesnil is in La Chaussée-Tirancourt, 13km north-west of
Amiens.
(From Gîtes de France list, click on Gite No G20201 for full details)
Les Prés du
Mesnil, 1 Rue à l'Avoine,
80310 La Chaussée-Tirancourt
(tel : 06 81 96 37 59).
Photograph
from B&B website
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HOTEL
In a picturesque Picardy village
The Jean de Bruges hotel is in a beautifully restored
17th-century building
alongside the magnificent abbey church of
St-Riquier, a few km north-east
of Abbeville. You can also drop in for
tea in the hotel’s elegant conservatory.
Hôtel Jean de Bruges
18 Place del’Église, 80135 St-Riquier (tel : 03 22 28 30 30).
Photograph from hotel website
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AREA
5: ARRAS, ALBERT
& THE SOMME BATTLEFIELDS
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B&B
In the centre of Arras
A beautiful town house, La
Maison d’Hôtes La Corne d’Or has a lovely interior, with rooms decorated
in either classic or modern style. Rooms from 77€, breakfast 7€. Franck et Isabelle
Smal also offer evening meals, on prior reservation.
(See review below.)
La Corne d’Or, 1, Place Guy Mollet,
62000 Arras (tel: 03 21 58 85
94;
mobile 06 09 40 72 49).
Photograph from B&B website
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JOHN BROMHALL WRITES:
It's easy
to drive past La Corne d'Or, above, because it does
not appear as imposing as one might expect of such a fine establishment. Look
out for the public car park opposite (there is also some private parking at
the rear).
This stylish maison d'hote is ideally situated in the centre of Arras, a few steps away
from the Grand’ Place. The building was once the guest wing of a wealthy
merchant's house, and has been restored by the present owners, Franck and
Isabelle Smal.
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The interior is an eclectic mix of traditional and modern decor and
furnishing, with paintings and photographs on display throughout the house.
We stayed in the Regina Suite consisting of a large bedroom with TV, sitting-room
with sound system and some CDs, a large bathroom and a separate wc.
We ate dinner out at one of Arras' fine restaurants,
although, with sufficient notice, the Smals will cook for guests.
Our breakfast was a wonderful
surprise, with freshly prepared fruit juice and fruit salad, an interesting
selection of bread from the local bakers, and
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home-made confitures. In addition, one day we
had superbly cured bacon, and the next, pain perdu (we think this came
in at just under a million calories, and negated the need for lunch - despite
spending most of the day walking around Vimy Ridge and talking to some of the
Canadian visitors).
Franck also showed us his cellars, on
three levels below the house, whose history he is keen to unravel.
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B&B
Village centre, near Arras
You feel very welcome at La Solette B&B at Hauteville, a few km west of Arras.
No evening meal here, but there are facilities for heating your own food, and
you
can look forward to Madame Debaisieux’s freshly-baked breakfast treats.
One room is on the ground-floor.
La Solette, 10 Rue du Moulin,
62810 Hauteville (tel: 03 21 58 73 58).
Photograph
from B&B website
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CAMPING
La Paille Haute, near Arras
2-star campsite in the countryside to the east of Arras,
near the Artois battlefields. La Paille Haute is open April to
October, for stays of two nights minimum duration.
Camping La Paille Haute, 145 Rue
de Sailly, 62156
Boiry-Notre-Dame, near Monchy-le-Preux (tel: 03 21 48 15 40)
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Photograph from campsite website
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B&B
Step back into the 1920s at Corbie
Le
Macassar is a house on the main square
of Corbie, 15km east of Amiens.
It has recently been transformed into an elegant boutique hotel, in a
wonderful blend of Art Deco and Art Nouveau style.
Rooms 160€ to 240€, including breakfast, and evening drinks.
Le Macassar, 8 Place de la République, 80800 Corbie (tel: 03 22 48 40 04).
Feb 2008: Trip Advisor has ranked Le
Macassar as one of
the Top 10 Inns and B&B's in Europe, in its 2008 “Travelers’
Choice” awards. It is one of only two establishments in France to receive the award for 2008.
Photograph from B&B website
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SELF-CATERING
GITES
Somme battlefields area
British-owned self-catering
accommodation in three separate gîtes. Chavasse
Farm,
at Hardecourt-aux-Bois, is located 13km east of Albert. The owners’
collections
of relics from WWI make it hugely popular
with battlefield visitors.
Chavasse
Farm (tel (UK): 07855 850 889); email chavasseferme@aol.com
Photograph
from gîte website
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B&B AND SELF-CATERING
Somme battlefields area
Avril Williams’ “Ocean Villas” tea-room, B&B and self-catering
cottages, just north of Albert, have become an institution. Standing almost
on the front line of the battle of 1 July 1916, this idiosyncratic place is beloved of
battlefield visitors, and packed with military memorabilia. Evening meals
available on prior reservation.
Avril Williams' Guesthouse,
10 Rue Delattre,
80560 Auchonvillers (tel: 03 22 76 23 66).
Photograph from B&B website
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CAMPSITE
Somme battlefields area
The Camping du Port de Plaisance, on the outskirts of Péronne,
has attracted much praise from users. It’s a 20-minute stroll to the town
centre (shops, restaurants and the wonderful WW1 museum the Historial de la
Grande Guerre).
Here is a review from Alan Rogers’
website.
Camping du Port de
Plaisance,
Route de Paris, 80200 Péronne
(tel : 03 22 84 19 31).
Photograph
from campsite’s website
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CAMPSITE
Somme battlefields area
The well-run Camping Bellevue, in the village of Authuille, gets
the thumbs-up from battlefield visitors, who like the fact that you can walk
the area direct from the site. Good restaurants within walking distance. Camping Bellevue, 27 Rue Albert,
80300 Authuille (tel: 03 22 74 59 29).
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No picture
available, and no website
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AREA
6: LENS, BÉTHUNE, BATTLES OF THE
ARTOIS, & THE MINING BASIN
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Picture available
on website only
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B&B
Quiet village location
Gina Bulot’s friendly
B&B, Les Cohettes at Auchy-au-Bois,
is 6km west of Lillers and 20km north-west of Béthune. Convivial evening
meals may be booked in advance.
Les Cohettes, 28 Rue de Pernes,
62190 Auchy-au-Bois (tel: 03 21 02 09 47).
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HOTEL
Gracious living in a château
Marc Meurin’s grand
country-house hotel outside Lillers, the Château de Beaulieu, is famous for its peaceful setting and for its
Michelin-starred eating. Le Château de Beaulieu, Rue de
Lillers, 62350 Busnes (tel : 03 21 68 88 88).
Photograph from hotel website
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HOTEL
Stylish rooms in countryside
The Cour
de Rémi, 10km north-west of St-Pol-sur-Ternoise and fairly handy
for Agincourt, has very cool décor for its converted
outbuildings, and an interesting menu in the dining-room.
Jan 2008: Chef
Stéphane de La Borde has been nominated a “jeune talent”, or promising
newcomer, in this year’s prestigious GaultMillau guide.
La Cour de Rémi, 1 Rue Baillet,
62130
Bermicourt (tel: 03 21 03 33 33).
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