Nip across the English Channel to discover a wealth of fabulous restaurants and gorgeous hotels for a relaxing and delicious break – and all less than one hour from Calais.
Star attractions…
2 Michelin Star restaurant Chef Alexandre Gauthier of La Grenouillère in Montreuil-sur-Mer, south of Calais, is famous all over France. An innovative menu, theatrical restaurant with a Rockstar style kitchen on show from the dining room. Plenty of wow moments here. Afterwards take a walk in the country garden and then relax in a luxurious hut or bedroom in the small, but perfect, hotel. www.lagrenouillere.fr
Marc Meurin’s 2 Michelin Star restaurant, Le Meurin, an hour north east of Calais is a legend. With a firm emphasis on local seasonal produce, the food is memorable. Make sure you leave room for dessert, this is a chef with a passion for sweet things (the sweet trolley at the end of the meal is like a Willy Wonka dream come true)! The hotel is charming, big, chateau style rooms. www.le-meurin.fr
The art deco style Atlantic of Wimereux is a family-run business. Watching the sunset over the English Channel from the large windows of the 1 Michelin Star restaurant La Liégeoise is very romantic. There’s also a brasserie on the ground floor, L’Aloze has an authentic French menu and great atmosphere. All 18 bedrooms enjoy sea views at this four-star hotel.
Fishy feasts
Elegant Le Touquet has another art deco splendour, the iconic Le Westminster. Here you’ll find the delicious 1 Michelin Star restaurant Le Pavillon. There’s also Les Cimaises, brasserie style dining in an elegant dining room. For great cocktails or steaming hot chocolate, the wood panelled bar is perfect. Luxury rooms and suites and easy to walk to the beach and attractions of the town.
Just down the road Chez Perard fish restaurant is famous in France for its fish soup! Check out our top fish and chip restaurants in Pas-des-Calais
Chef Tony Lestienne has had Michelin Star status at La Matelote, Boulogne-sur-Mer where he works with his immensely talented chef son Stellio for more than 40 years. Seafood lovers will adore the seasonal menu here and comfy, luxury rooms of the hotel, a short walk from the sea front. www.la-matelote.com
Delicious Detours…
La Coeur de Remi is a chateau style hotel with spacious rooms, in the heart of the Seven Valleys, an area of outstanding natural beauty. If you fancy something a bit different, a luxury treehouse awaits! The restaurant is popular with the locals: cosy, authentic and great value. www.lacourderemi.com
In the countryside of Wisques, close to the quintessential market town of Saint-Omer, is La Sapinière hotel. It’s located in a park with views over the mountains of Flanders. Comfy rooms in cottage style buildings and a cosy restaurant with home made local dishes. www.sapiniere.net. Or head into Saint-Omer and discover a huge choice of restaurants including the tiny Chez Tante Fauvette (10 Rue Sainte-Croix). A stone’s throw from the magnificent Gothic Cathedral, the décor makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, with great home cooked food.
If you’re stopping off in Calais on the way to or from the UK, you’ll find tasty restaurants in abundance. For traditional brasserie style food, the beautifully decorated L’Histoire Ancienne is superb www.histoire-ancienne.com.
If you like something a bit different, Les Grandes Tables du Channel in Calais arts centre is THE place to go. A quirky dining room, steam punk style rules here, friendly and a great value, traditional menu. Book (online) in advance if you can, it’s very popular with the locals. lechannel.fr
For a splash out meal, Le Grand Bleu gastronomic restaurant is exceptional. The menu dices the best of traditional cuisine with a modern touch. And it has a lovely light filled dining room opposite Calais harbour. www.legrandbleu-calais.com
