There’s loads that you can do during a day trip to France, so making the most of your time can be a bit of a challenge! With a number of great destinations to choose from, lots of things to see, and plenty to do, you’re sure to want to fit in as much as possible during your trip.
Here, we share some tips which will help you to make the most of your day trip to France, so that you can have a fun-packed experience to remember.
Choose your destination in advance
When you take a day trip to France, there are loads of great destinations that can be reached within 90 minutes from Calais by car. The best way to make the most of your time is to plan where you’d like to visit in advance, and possibly see multiple places during one trip.
For example, the city of Boulogne is just half an hour from the port and offers plenty to do for the whole family. Take a walk along its long stretch of sandy beach, head underwater at Nausicaa aquarium, or wander around and admire its impressive architecture. Drive 40 minutes on from Boulogne and you’ll reach Le Touquet, a small seaside town full of character. Shop like a local on Rue St. Jean, snap the picturesque Le Touquet lighthouse, or challenge the family to a round of mini golf – the choice is yours!
Take a look at our blog post about day trips from Calais for more inspiration!
Pack the essentials
You probably won’t need much luggage for a day trip to France, but there are a few essentials that you should think about packing. There are a number of things that you need to have in your car when you drive in France, although you can buy these in the on board shop should you forget anything. They include:
- Headlight converters – these prevent you from dazzling oncoming drivers
- Hi vis jacket – there should be an easily accessible high vis jacket for the driver and each passenger
- GB sticker – you will need one of these if your vehicle does not have an EU number plate
- Warning triangle – this should be used if your car breaks down
Take a look at our blog for more tips for driving in France.
You could pack some bottles of water and a few snacks in case you need them during the drive, although you might prefer to pick up some French treats instead!
Start your day trip to France in the right way
The best way to start an adventure is with a full stomach, and possibly some caffeine! Upon boarding the ferry to France, head to either The Brasserie or the Food Court for a hearty breakfast that will keep you going all day. You can use this time to discuss your plans, and maybe research anything else that you might like to do.
If caffeine is all that you need to get you going in the morning, you can pick up a delicious Starbucks beverage from one of the bars or the coffee shop. There’s plenty of seating available on board, so you can relax with your drink, and possibly a slice of cake too. You are on holiday after all!
Take time to enjoy your destination
When you only have a day to explore somewhere it can feel like a bit of a rush, but it’s really important to take your time and enjoy your destination once you get there. Although it’s always fun to be a bit spontaneous when you travel, it can be helpful to have a plan for your day trip to France. This means that you won’t lose time trying to work out where to go, and can find the places of interest you want to see with plenty of time available to enjoy them.
You might also like to research somewhere nice for lunch rather than trying to find a restaurant or café with availability when you arrive. This will give you the best chance of being able to try some delicious French cuisine, because no day trip to France is complete without a traditional meal.
So that you don’t have to worry about rushing your day trip to France, choose a flexi ticket when you book your Dover to Calais crossing. This allows you to board a ferry up to 4 hours after your booked sailing time, which gives you the opportunity to explore France for longer.
Now that you know how to make to most of your day trip to France, book your P&O Ferries crossing today and start putting your plans into action.
