#XploreMore 2014 - Site 17 - Chateau du Grandspette, France

Site 17 – Chateau du Gandspette, France

This was the last stop in our European leg after the Netherlands and Belgium. The site, situated not far from the port of Calais, is an ideal stop off if travelling further south or across the border into Belgium or just before returning home like us. It is a large site but spread out and surrounded by woodland – there is a real rural feel. The chateau that overlooks the pitches provides a spectacular view.

We all enjoyed staying at this site for different reasons. Tim and I felt at ease in the relaxing surroundings and of course the girls enjoyed the facilities such as the outdoor swimming pools, playground and bouncy castle. In addition to these there are also tennis courts, an outdoor gym, outdoor table tennis tables, boules and a walk through the bordering forest. The toilet block is large and clean with plenty of showers, toilets and dishing washing sinks. The reception area is very welcoming and helpful. A café provides meals and take away pizzas in the evening and a local baker delivers fresh baguettes and croissants in the morning (it was the girls’ job to collect them!).

Our stay here was unfortunately short (only two nights) therefore we did not have a lot of time to explore the area. In the day that we had, we drove into Dunkerque to visit le Memorial du Souvenir and the British Memorial – two richly historic venues that focus on the evacuation of troops in Operation Dynamo in World War 2. We were also lucky enough to see some of the remains of boats on the shores near the sand dunes at low tide. One of the reasons for visiting Dunkerque was because Amy had studied World War 2 at school and visiting the location that she had studied would make the history more real. 

We managed to complete some more challenges whilst here including: sending a message in a bottle from Europe, making a wind chime from shells and making something out of shells we collected (on Dunkerque beach).