crbtaylor Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Can anyone recommend a nice place to stop near Dunkirk. We are arriving from the UK early evening so ideally don't want to travel too far, a walk on the beach would be nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 crbtaylor - 2013-04-19 6:10 PM Can anyone recommend a nice place to stop near Dunkirk. We are arriving from the UK early evening so ideally don't want to travel too far, a walk on the beach would be nice! You can park up in the DFDS terminal park at Dunkirk-there will be plenty of others there for a natter etc and it's free Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 A nice Aire at Gravelines ,used it lots of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 ditto Gravelines only 5-10 minutes away,peaceful and nice small town within 5 mins walk. beach a bit further better on bikes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambukashot Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Or try Grand Fort Philippe just over the river from Gravelines, near the beach and its free, 9.0 miles away - about 20 mins drivehttp://www.camperstops.co.uk/index.php/en/motorhome-stopover-locations-map/291-grand-fort-philippe-parking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambukashot Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Sorry i should have said its 9 miles away from the Dunkirk, the post reads like its 9 miles away from Gravelines! its about 1.5 miles from Gravelines... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel wood Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 We found it pleasant at Gravelines; well signposted from the port and an interesting place for a stroll around the fortifications and inside the Citadel with its sculptures and pretty wild flower displays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crbtaylor Posted April 20, 2013 Author Share Posted April 20, 2013 Thanks for all the suggestions looks like its Graveslines for the night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 FYI payment at Gravelines is by debit/credit card in a machine. It has aways worked for me but some say it never works. I think that may be an excuse for not paying :-D. Rain has been the default weather when we have been which makes the yellow gravel surface stick to shoes and no matter how hard I try not to bring it in to the van I still do, much to MOHs annoyance. Have a good trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crbtaylor Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Thanks for the tip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambukashot Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Or try this one!http://www.camperstops.co.uk/index.php/en/motorhome-stopover-locations-map/392-gravelines-wildcamping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losos Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Cliffy - 2013-04-21 12:14 AMFYI payment at Gravelines is by debit/credit card in a machine. It has aways worked for me but some say it never works. I think that may be an excuse for not paying :-D. Also FYI the payment machine is completely unattended and therefore a skimming crooks delight, these criminals are so clever now you would never know the machine had been tampered with, made me mad 'cos they still pay someone to go round checking that you've paid. I used to use Gravelines a lot but have moved to a more secure site now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 If you use Gravilines try some chips from Madam's Friterie in the town, about a five minute walk. She even has malt vinigar!! H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Losos - 2013-04-27 4:05 PMCliffy - 2013-04-21 12:14 AMFYI payment at Gravelines is by debit/credit card in a machine. It has aways worked for me but some say it never works. I think that may be an excuse for not paying :-D. Also FYI the payment machine is completely unattended and therefore a skimming crooks delight, these criminals are so clever now you would never know the machine had been tampered with, made me mad 'cos they still pay someone to go round checking that you've paid. I used to use Gravelines a lot but have moved to a more secure site now.Are you sure? It's not a cash machine you don't have to put your PIN number in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest adhple Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 The Payment machine was not working in June 13, nobody checked to see if we had paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 We use the Aire at Bergues sometimes. It's spacious, quiet, free and close to a charming old walled town. No service point though. http://www.bergues.biz/campingcar/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 The machine at Gravelines does need a credit card and pin number and it can be hard to make work. You need to push card right in as at first it seems it is blocked but wait a few seconds and it goes in. Agree many say does not work to avoid payment; to be fair last time we were there it was not working, paper had run out, but reported it to marie, and it was repaired so all could pay!! Regarding card being scanned then if you worry all the time about that then you will soon find more and more Aires you can not use and never buy fuel at automatic pumps at French supermarkets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Surprised nobody mentioned Bray Dune Aire (N51º04.664' E2º30.932'). The Aire is a large square in the centre, five minute walk to beach, places to eat/drink just a few yards away, very quiet in the day and at night......and totally free! I usually stay there a couple of nights on both out and return trips. Not far from the Ferry port and also worth calling in at the Auchan Hypermarket which is en route. Cheaper fuel there (though now only slightly less than UK prices) but worth tanking up. Here in Poland i'm paying £1.05 - 1.10 a litre......the same price as last year. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 robertandjean - 2013-08-01 1:25 PM Agree many say does not work to avoid payment; to be fair last time we were there it was not working, paper had run out, but reported it to marie, and it was repaired so all could pay!! Regarding card being scanned then if you worry all the time about that then you will soon find more and more Aires you can not use and never buy fuel at automatic pumps at French supermarkets. I take offence at the insinuation I am trying to avoid payment even though machine doesn't work. Last time I tried with 2 different cards, my wife said I must be doing something wrong and went to try with her card but returned having failed. The van parked next to machine was uk, they said they had lots of trouble but offered to use their card that finally worked. Unfortunately it didn't this time. Soooo I can say categorically that the machine often does't work! I am sure it must work sometimes but not consistently. I have used my cards all over the world from Patagonia to Katmandu with never any problems except at Gravelines (at least 5 times) and once on an Italian motorway. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cattwg Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Depending on your route you could try Bergues, it’s about 16 miles east of Dunkerque port. Take J16 off the A25, the parking is then about 500yds on the right. It’s a large tarmaced area. Parking is free and services are available at the municipal site - Camping Verdun - for €5 – take a shortcut (a couple of miles or so) through the town centre towards Hondschoote. Quite a lot of the old town walls are still intact and make for an interesting walk – a leaflet is available from the TIC in the bell tower on the town square. We have used Bergues a few times, the last being in June of this year. Cattwg :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zydeco Joe Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I used Berques in June this year and all was fine. It's a nice flat area on an old shale football pitch by the local sports ground. Close by are supermarkets to fill up with last day shopping and fuel just watch out for height barrier at fuel station, we got a refill for our gas bottle a French Le Cube at the lowest price we have paid. Site only half hour from Dunkirk port. Have Fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 peterjl - 2013-08-01 5:20 PM robertandjean - 2013-08-01 1:25 PM Agree many say does not work to avoid payment; to be fair last time we were there it was not working, paper had run out, but reported it to marie, and it was repaired so all could pay!! Regarding card being scanned then if you worry all the time about that then you will soon find more and more Aires you can not use and never buy fuel at automatic pumps at French supermarkets. I take offence at the insinuation I am trying to avoid payment even though machine doesn't work. Last time I tried with 2 different cards, my wife said I must be doing something wrong and went to try with her card but returned having failed. The van parked next to machine was uk, they said they had lots of trouble but offered to use their card that finally worked. Unfortunately it didn't this time. Soooo I can say categorically that the machine often does't work! I am sure it must work sometimes but not consistently. I have used my cards all over the world from Patagonia to Katmandu with never any problems except at Gravelines (at least 5 times) and once on an Italian motorway. Peter Peter no offence intended as sure you are happy to pay but believe us many are not. When we reported fault to marie two Brits parked next to us were so unhappy they moved off, but it is certainly much better at Gravelines now as when free was always very crowded now better still plenty vans to give trade to town but easier to find a space. Sure there is nothing wrong with your card as like you we have used our card all over world and Gravelines is the most difficult card machine to make work we have come across. Bullet guy yes Bray Dunes is O.K. but is not available in July and August as used by coaches. Bergues is a nice stopover as is also the aire by the windmill at Horndschoote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 robertandjean - 2013-08-02 3:40 PM the aire by the windmill at Horndschoote. Which does have water and emptying facilities, I seem to recall? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 robertandjean - 2013-08-02 3:40 PM Bullet guy yes Bray Dunes is O.K. but is not available in July and August as used by coaches. Easily solved! :D Exit the Aire and turn left. A couple of hundred yards down the road bends. Right after the bend are a number of parking places. Very quiet and nobody will bother you. I've stayed there a couple of nights and the only reason I know about it is the first time I was looking for the Aire and thought that was it! I don't quite get why folk are paying to overnight on an Aire when there are plenty of free ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambukashot Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 Some good locations around Dunkirk here:http://www.camperstops.co.uk/index.php/en/component/search_gmapfp/1112?Country=566:France&County=561:Nord&City=-All-&Categorie=-All-&Order=Newest&Modid=162-Search-Map&Itemid=1112 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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