Historic cites, castles

Historic cites, castles & fishing villages It doesn't take more than 45 minutes from Calais to Boulogne-sur-Mer. But, it’s far better to spend the entire day on this section of the road. Stop to enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a friendly, welcoming café and buy fish fresh from the fishermen who sell direct from their front rooms and garages in villages like Audresselles. Wander on the beach, admire the Napoleonic fort at Ambleteuse and the Belle Epoque villas at Wimereux. This is a part of France that’s hardly known outside of the region despite being captured on canvas by J M Turner who loved the ” opal” quality of light, and Charles Dickens singing the praises of the area and moving his family there. When you do get to Boulogne-sur-Mer, it too deserves a day of discovery. Head to the old town, so pretty it looks like a film set. Don’t miss the incredible decorated crypt of the Basillica Notre-Dame, the rue du Lille, lined with quirky boutiques and restaurants. The 13th century Chateau Museum has includes an Egyptian collection donated by renowned Egyptologist François Auguste Ferdinand Mariette, born in the town and the founder of the Cairo Museum of Egyptology. Nausicaa, the largest sea aquarium in Europe and heaps more will definitely fill a day right up… From Boulogne, the D940 runs on through Neufchatel-Hardelot with its neo- Shakespearian Theatre and Castle with a cultural centre dedicated to Entente- Cordiale. And on through charming Etaples, once a fishing port, neighbour to the swanky jet set seaside resort of Le Touquet-Paris- Plage, and several lovely seaside towns