Day Trip Shopping Extravaganza!

Book an early afternoon Eurotunnel shuttle to get the best day trip return fare.  You can have an early snack in the terminal building at Folkestone, or do what we do and take a picnic to eat on the train (see right!).  You’d be amazed how quickly the crossing goes when having a snack!

Your first destination in Calais should be the new Marques Avenue designer outlet centre, exit 41 from the A16 (one stop south of the Eurotunnel junction).  This centre is open daily from 10AM – 8PM. There’s a huge choice here of different designer labels in 57 different stores, many of them offering cut price discontinued lines.  Frankly our experience was that the prices aren’t so cheap, but then we don’t normally buy designer labels!

If you fancy some fresh air, take a short stroll on the cliffs south of Calais (see left) - only a short detour before you head off to the Auchan at Boulogne for food shopping (save the wine and beer till later!).  We love the chance to purchase French food – croissants, pain aux raisins, cacolac and French cheese would always be on our list!

By now we would expect it to be about 6PM so it’s time to head off to a local French restaurant for a pleasant evening meal.  If you want a quick meal (in French terms this means you have a chance to be finished by 8PM!) then you could try the restaurants at junction 31 of the A16 – here you will find Buffalo Grill, Pizza restaurants etc..

Then to finish off the day, head back up to Calais for EastEnders (link) – A16 to Calais, take junction 47 towards Car-Ferry, get off at exit Nº3. Right at the roundabout, right again at the second roundabout.  EastEnders is open 24 hours a day and is normally much better value than the super markets for alcoholic beverages (check the prices on their websites).

Finally head back to the shuttle terminal for a late journey home.