Back in France - The Drive Part 2

As we were about to leave the ferry at Calais, we saw this Citroen 2CV going on holiday! We thought it was a great idea; taking off in a camper van, with your classic vehicle trailered behind, ready to tour around in. Not good for the camper van's fuel economy though!!

Bon voyage!

I wonder why it is, as we drive onto French soil, we simply relax and feel laid-back, regardless of the weather?  It has a lot to do with the sparsity of traffic,  no driving nose to tail, nor waiting to hear on the radio that the road in front is closed  because of an accident.  On a trip last year, I did come across an accident in France (my first ever in 7 years), by taking a busier route than normal. I sat for an hour while they cleared the debris, but I still made it to the ferry on time, as I always give myself an hour or so to spare.  Usually I arrive early at the port, but the ferry people are great and always try to put me on an earlier sailing if they can.

This time we arrived to a cloudy sky, but with some blue patches peeking through; normal traffic flow, not heavy and without too many trucks. Oh, how I love French main roads; that is, of course, if we do not drive via Paris.  One trip on the Peripherique (Paris ring road) was enough!! Although it does have overhead signs telling you how long you will be held up for!

Fields of yellow rape seed

Here are just some of the many regional road signs seen en route on the motorway through northern France. The road broadly runs south-west, parallel with the northern French coast. For a change, we had decided to take things easier and break our longish journey south with a night's stay at Bourgtherould, a small town just south of Rouen.  All of these photos were taken while we were driving at 130kph (80 mph) - the speed limit on toll roads, so they are not the best quality!  You can see from the grey sky that the weather was not ideal.

Neufchâtel-Hardelot is a farming and tourist town in the department of Pas de Calais, just to the south of Boulogne. The name “ Neufchatel” has its origins in a castle built on the 150 metre (330 feet) high coastal sand dunes in the 12^th century, but later engulfed by shifting sands.

In the early 20^th century, an English developer started  the creation of a new resort and sporting centre at Hardelot, by building 20 large and exclusive villas. Louis Bleriot, the famous French cross-channel avaitor also lived here. Despite suffering damage in WW2, much rebuilding has taken place, and the developer’s vision of a resort has come to pass, with golf, tennis and horse riding facilities now available. Land yachting is also a popular pastime on the windswept beaches. 

Cote Picarde or Picardy coast forms part of a region much fought over in WW1. It is known as the least urbanized coast of France, and its hinterland is an exceptional environment for bird life, as can also be seen on the following sign.

Previously featured without further description in a late 2010 blog, this sign illustrates  Marquenterre beach and bird sanctuary; its 20 kilometres of fine sand, together with the estuary of the river Somme, form an exceptional site for wildlife, and it is said that two thirds of the bird species in Europe can be observed in the bird park established around the river estuary.

The valley of the Eaulne river, although only 46km (29 miles) long and a tributary of a larger river, is ecologically rich in fish species, salmon, trout and its adjoining marshes and wetlands are home to many bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species.

The château du Champ-de-Bataille, located in the Normandy  region is a baroque castle built in 17th century for the Maréchal de Créqui, who was exiled here. It took 12 years to build!! The French-style gardens were re-created starting in 1992 by the owner, a well-known interior designer, and the design was inspired by the original layout. The French Ministry of Culture list the gardens as one of the “Notable Gardens of France”, so must be worth a visit!!

This ruined castle was visible from the main road just before we turned off to Bourgtherould, our overnight destination. Unfortunately, the information sign is hidden by the trees, so its identity will have to remain a mystery!

The Drive will continue as and when I have time  in parts 3 and 4 but there are other posts that I would like to fit in between!!