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Lishlandy



Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: High Wycombe
Posts: 941

England 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 X-Tech LE Orkney Grey
Northern France, Long weekend away (Advise Please)
Hi All.

Have a lovely little surprise from SWMBO in the form of Ferry Tickets and the expectation that we go away this weekend (long weekend with Ferry booked for tomorrow) for our 2 year anniversary. She is not a travelled woman and has only had her passport since Monday. Here are the help needed bits:

1, Where to visit in Northern France? I'm talking 3-5 hours in any direction from Calais. (not including Paris). We like the outdoors, picturesque views and are reasonably intrigued by general history (not U-boat docks as per GREENI's thread) Would greatly appreciate your feedback as if i nail this trip then it will make it easier to persuade her that we can go travelling in the Defender.

2. Where is a nice place to camp? We will be camping for the first night as to break our roughing it Virginity. Any nice, reputable places that you guys know?


I think this is her test which will make or break my dreams of travelling in the Land Rover. PLEASE HELP! Bow down Bow down Bow down ===================================
Steve
90 xs sw in Stonoway Grey - Sold
110 USW X-TECH
Post #241435 6th Jun 2013 12:40pm
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NickEJ



Member Since: 24 Nov 2012
Location: Ljubljana
Posts: 152

Slovenia 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Galway Green
Check out www.ukcampsite.co.uk. Despite the name they also have campsites in France (and elsewhere in Europe) and they give user feedback which is useful.

You could try Normandy or the 3 hour drive down to Reims or Eperney and sample the champagne!
Post #241441 6th Jun 2013 1:03pm
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d j hutton



Member Since: 30 Jul 2009
Location: Dorset
Posts: 1044

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
I misread paragraph 2 - me bad Shocked

Normandy is picturesque and some nice buildings (although might be a bit further than 3 hrs) and if you can find any its nice to follow the touristy 'cheese trail' (route de fromage) or a wine/champagne trail - there's and idea - champagne Thumbs Up
You usually find they wind through nice countryside and you can stock up on samples and stuff to bring home.

Take a comfy bed as well or you'll never hear the last of it.

Good luck and hope it goes well.

DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw
2011 110 usw Orkney grey

Buy British 🇬🇧

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Post #241442 6th Jun 2013 1:12pm
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bear100



Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
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Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Chateau de Drancourt, St Valery sur Somme, 80230 Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, France
its very nice and french!! lovely part of the world and just the right distance from calais! about 2.5 hours
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Post #241443 6th Jun 2013 1:30pm
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a13x



Member Since: 25 Sep 2011
Location: Burton on Trent
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United Kingdom 
Le Touquet is nice, we made a trip there on our way back from a track day in Abbeville.
Post #241448 6th Jun 2013 1:44pm
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Breast ... is nice ... but maybe more than 5 hours

Don't forget your breathalyser and essential French highway requirements !

have a great time, enjoy the clear roads, and post some photos Thumbs Up

(having scanned the post quickly, I think I can see what DJ misread Embarassed )
Post #241483 6th Jun 2013 5:20pm
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tookaphotoof



Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: dordrecht
Posts: 1279

Netherlands 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Breathalyser is not needed anymore.
Post #241491 6th Jun 2013 5:41pm
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
when did that change ?
Post #241493 6th Jun 2013 5:57pm
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tookaphotoof



Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: dordrecht
Posts: 1279

Netherlands 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
They will be discussing what to do if you do not have it with you, but untill that time you most probably won't get fined. Wink
Post #241495 6th Jun 2013 6:02pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383

United Kingdom 
Also taking notes Wink
Post #241497 6th Jun 2013 6:05pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5771

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
a13x wrote:
Le Touquet is nice, we made a trip there on our way back from a track day in Abbeville.


Second that. Takes no time from the port, and is known as "Paris on sea", its very similar to Brighton. Very very nice place.

There is a very basic campsite on the outskirts, in the dunes, where the owner speaks no English, but understands a defender can get to where others can't. Whistle


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Andy

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green
Post #241502 6th Jun 2013 6:39pm
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Paul55



Member Since: 03 Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere in my head!
Posts: 514

England 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
This is the latest on Breathalysers as quoted from the AA,

1 March 2012 - the French government confirmed that from 1 July 2012 drivers of all motor vehicles and motorcycles (excluding mopeds) must carry a breathalyser. The regulation will be enforced from 1 November 2012 and anyone stopped after that date who fails to produce a breathalyser when requested will receive an on the spot fine of €11.

October 2012 - the French government announced that the implementation of the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11 – has been postponed from 1 November 2012 to 1 March 2013.

January 2013 - the French government announced that the implementation of the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11 – has been postponed indefinitely.

So theoretically you are still required to carry a self-test breathalyser when driving in France but there is no current legislation demanding a fine for non-compliance.

The original official announcement stated that one unused, certified breathalyser must be produced showing the French certification mark NF. Carrying two single-use breathalysers will ensure that if one is used or damaged, you will still have a spare to produce. The breathalyser produced has to be in date - single-use breathalysers normally have a validity of twelve months. Thumbs Up Cogito ergo sum
Post #241505 6th Jun 2013 6:45pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383

United Kingdom 
I got a pack of two breathalysers. To be safe. Even though I don't drink Rolling Eyes
Post #241513 6th Jun 2013 6:53pm
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Lishlandy



Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: High Wycombe
Posts: 941

England 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 X-Tech LE Orkney Grey
Wow, thank you all very much for your suggestions, advise and reassurances.

We have booked into a place near Normandy, on the front by that cathedral/castle place that is out on an island......think we will go to Touquet before on the last day before we get the ferry back.

I have breathalyser's 'to be sure, to be sure', but also read that they aren't needed anymore or the hi vi's jackets (got two anyways).

Just in case.....anyone know what happens about Land Rover assist in EU?
I have the AA but forgot to see about LRA cover while I'm out there.

Ill take more pics of the defender than me and the Missus put together. Standard rule in different backgrounds. ===================================
Steve
90 xs sw in Stonoway Grey - Sold
110 USW X-TECH
Post #241532 6th Jun 2013 7:41pm
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JeremyJ



Member Since: 16 Nov 2011
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 1758

United Kingdom 
LRA covers you for Europe - phone number should be on the tax disk holder under the uk one. If not let me know and I'll post you one with it on! Wink

Not that you'll need it!
Post #241539 6th Jun 2013 7:54pm
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