Chateau du Gandspette, near Calais

[john_5040735]

Hi folks - have an overnight stay booked here in a couple of weeks time en-route to Burgundy. The site web page suggests coming off the A26 on the outskirts of Calais and taking the N43 through Ardres and Nordausques. When I look at the map it seems more logical to take the A26 to jn2 (Nordausques) and then join the N43. Does anyone know a reason why this may not be a good idea, eg. narrow access/exit road or dodgy junction etc.

Thanks in advance

John

 

[ThePlotter]

I have stayed at Gandspette and a site at Watten and have always come off the A26 at Jtn 2 along the N43 towards St Omer ,through Nordausques and then onto the D221 the site is then on the left.If you have not been before it is a nice site mainly used a short stays or stopovers,when we have used it the owners tended to put the French together,the Dutch together and the Brits together which is not a problem the new toilet block is very good.The brochures etc say that electric is low amps,its not its around 16amps,the owner himself said when asked about the amps said'no problem' with a slile on his face.

Going back to the route the only reason for not using the A26 is to save the toll cost which is not much anyway,beware of speeding the police are hot on Brits speeding off the ferry.Where are you heading to?

 

[john_5040735]

Hi - only staying one night at Gandspette, then off to Joinville (la forge du ste marie) for 8 nights, Merseault (la grappe d'or) for 7 nights, then back to Calais (bien assis) for 4 nights.

Last time I used A26 the toll section began after jn2 (I think!)at Nordausques. May pay the toll to save going through Ardres. Can be quite busy there I beleive.

Where are you off to?

Cheers

John

 

[Angela_5076436]

while I was there for an overnight in May/June - there was a baker calling on the Site - very useful too - the nearest one is not really within walking distance

 

[ThePlotter]

Hi John,the A26 is by far the best bet ,no traffic and not far to go once you are off and no problem areas to go through.

In the middle of June we were due to go to Port de Limeuil in the Dordogne for two weeks and then Puit de L'autre by Royan for a week or so but just a couple of weeks before we were due to leave my wife was diagnosed with cancer so all has been cancelled so will repeat it next year.Have a good holiday.

 

[john_5040735]

Cheers my man. Hope you have a good summer and that your missus makes a good recovery. I shall think of you as I sip my first glass of the red stuff!

John

 

[cooky1]

Last time we stayed there we used the A26 early in the morning (heading for an early crossing) and the toll was unmanned. After trying the first booth, then reversing the outfit and trying the second booth we eventually had to use the credit card to pay the toll. I bet the French had a good laugh at the CCTV later that day!

 

[EvansofSprot]

Hi John,the A26 is by far the best bet ,no traffic and not far to go once you are off and no problem areas to go through.

In the middle of June we were due to go to Port de Limeuil in the Dordogne for two weeks and then Puit de L'autre by Royan for a week or so but just a couple of weeks before we were due to leave my wife was diagnosed with cancer so all has been cancelled so will repeat it next year.Have a good holiday.

I was on Port de Limeuil earlier this year - what a brilliant site. Posssibly the best I've ever stopped on.

 

[ThePlotter]

Evans of Sprot.I agree totally we stayed there last year it is excellent and spotless and the owners very friendly always good to sit by the bar and watch the owner whip of her bikini and dive in the pool.When we were there they even in the morning cleaned the tiles in the pool between the water level and the pool surround.You can see why I had booked to go again this year,but as I said it was not to be.Where on the site were you pitched?

 

[john_5040735]

Right you knowledgeable lot! - and part me being very lazy - is there a diesel selling supermarket nearby to the site. Will require bit of food and diesel to continue journey next day. Cheers as usual

John

 

[ThePlotter]

Yes there is a supermarket a Champion just down the road (turn left out of the site.In fact when you are looking for the site follow the signs to Champion and you will find it.

The toll booth when getting on to go North is unmanned and credit card is the way to pay.

Have a good one

 

[john_5040735]

Thanks once again my man. Am heading south from here at approx 9am on a Thursday morning so presume toll booths open. Am also considering turning left out of site towards Watten and picking up D600/N43/N42 towards jn3 - haven't decided yet though! Thanks once again anyway.

john

 

[ThePlotter]

The toll booth is always open but always unmanned,not sure why you want to go via Watten to Jtn 3 ,Watten is not very big with if I recall tight turn over bridge on the canal/river but if you go as far as Watten you will end up going through St Omer (not good idea) if you want turn left out of site to D600 turn right and then right again onto N42 which will take you to Jtn 3.I cannot remember ( I think the red wine destroys the brain cells)but I dont think you can get to the diesel pumps at Champion with the van coupled up if you were planning to go there on your way south,could always uncouple I suppose.

 

[john_5040735]

Hi again - not quite sure what the implications are for "unmanned" tolls. If I join the A26 south at jn 2 - as originally planned - will the booths be manned, although it shouldn't matter from memory as most "joining" booths are unmanned. It's just a case of obtaining ticket automatically. Or is this junction different.

I wish I'd never listened to my work colleague who claims he had difficulties at this junction last year!

Cheers once again Plotter - I bow to your exemplary knowledge of this area.

John

 

[ThePlotter]

If going north it is unmanned and you pay on entry because it is a fixed fee with no exit peage booth,have not gone south from Jtn 2 but it will either be the same that is slap the plastic in the slot and get a receipt or you will just pick up a ticket to pay on exit,does that make sense I know what I mean and still not sure if it is clear.If it helps whilst it is unmanned you can press a button and talk to the man on the other booth for traffic leaving at this junction.It might help I dont know if you look at www.autoroute.fr there might be info on their.In any event always fun to look at the live web cams and see what the weather is like or how busy it is a any given time.If I can help any more just ask my fee is only a bottle of red or two!

 

[ThePlotter]

John,sorry that should read www.autoroutes.fr click on english version at the top.

 

[john_5040735]

Hi again - but thought French tolls did not accept British plastic! Once again I am prepared to stand corrected.

John

 

[chrissie2]

Yes, the toll booths take all British Credit and Debit Cards, plus American Express - much the quickest and easiest way through, no fumbling for the right change or trying to work out the value of unfamiliar coins! I only use cash if it a very small amount, otherwise, it's plastic all the way.

 

[ThePlotter]

Hi John yes Chrissie is bang on they do take cards no problem at all we tend to use cash on the way back to get rid of all the shrapnel that you collect through the holiday.Dont forget when you approach the booths not to get too close when travelling following our friends van he parked it on top of the concrete 'skirt' around the booth.

 

[DavidKlyne]

Right you knowledgeable lot! - and part me being very lazy - is there a diesel selling supermarket nearby to the site. Will require bit of food and diesel to continue journey next day. Cheers as usual

John

John

As others have said there is a Champion Supermarket that sell fuel near to the site. However its not always open on Mondays. If you get stuck there is a small garage just right out of the campsite about 100mts away.

David