Set sail for some fabulous French adventures with DFDS Ferries

There are plenty of enticing destinations in northern France that are easily reachable by car and ferry crossing. Some – such as Disneyland Paris and Normandy – will already be familiar. However, off the beaten track there are many lesser-known gems to discover, from spectacular vineyards to stunning beaches. 

In this article, we’ve highlighted three of our favourite locations in northern France to help you plan your holiday. The best part? The furthest of our recommendations is less than four hours’ drive from the ferry terminal, meaning you’ll spend the majority of your holiday on the actual holiday.

Champagne: best for epicures

Everyone’s heard of Champagne, the celebratory drink. But how much do you know about Champagne, the eponymous region – and the only place where proper Champers can legitimately be made?

It’s a surprisingly small area that’s anchored by the elegant cathedral city of Reims, where a glut of ancient cellars await. South of here looms the Montagne de Reims, one of Champagne’s five sub-regions, focused on pinot noir. Twenty miles away in the region’s heart, Épernay is a hub for the pinot Meunier-centred Vallée de la Marne zone; this glitzy, must-visit town also hosts the famous, producer-lined Avenue de Champagne.

Be it Taittinger, Bollinger or Veuve Clicquot, visits to Champagne’s vineyards are strictly by pre-booking only. Instead of late summer’s harvest season, when tours are suspended for obvious reasons, aim for October and November, when some grapes remain on vines, slopes have turned a reddish-orange and early Christmas presents may be procured.

This area is also host to First World War battlefields, half-timbered houses in the quieter town of Troyes and, between early April and late October, many a brocante. Popping up in different villages each week, these are flea markets that tend to sell locally made fizz for around £2.50 a ‘coup’.

The French Ardennes: best for nature lovers

Lining the Belgian border in France’s far north-east, the Ardennes are easily missed. Yet these glorious green hills are loved by hikers, history buffs, horse riders… and marionette die-hards. But we’ll get to that in a moment.

Large parts of the French Ardennes have been afforded national park status, and there’s a broad range of trails to explore – waymarked footpaths make the beautiful Meuse and Semoy river valleys especially easy to tramp.

Many invaders came through here, leaving their mark. There’s everything from ruined Roman encampments to Second World War-focused museums to nose around, with the historical headline act undoubtedly Sedan’s castle. Europe’s largest fortress, it spent centuries guarding eastern France.

Charleville-Mézières, the region’s main town, straddles the Meuse. Its 15th-century basilica has stained-glass windows created by Picasso’s pal René Dürrbach, while Place Ducale’s graceful grandeur deliberately mimics Place des Vosges in Paris. There’s also a watermill-turned-museum devoted to local poet Arthur Rimbaud, as well as a biannual puppet festival. Showcasing more than 600 artists, the next Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes runs from 19-28 September 2025.

Caps et Marais d'Opale Regional Nature Park: best for families

Beginning only a few miles south of Calais, this sprawling nature park includes a lovely section of the Opal Coast. Scenic drives along here encompass seafood restaurants, seals, superb beaches such as the dune-backed one at Wissant (pictured) – where Julius Caesar is believed to have set sail for Britain in 55BC – and stellar views of Dover’s White Cliffs.

Head inland, however, and an enchanting rural idyll of hedgerows, fields and forests soon takes hold. Then comes the time-trapped Hem river valley, overlooked by a ruined gothic chapel and home to some of the territory’s 20 signposted trails.

Near Saint-Omer in the far south are the Marais Audomarois – UNESCO-listed, canalised wetlands whose eerie, early-morning mists have inspired painters, and whose fertile grounds are home to market gardeners cultivating acclaimed cauliflowers. The peaceful channels are easily explored on gentle guided tours aboard small, flat-bottomed boats crafted locally – but do watch out for Marie Grouette, a fabled witch who, legend has it, grabs children with her giant fork.

Channel crossings made easy

Ferry crossings are a brilliantly practical way to reach the continent: you can pack a car’s worth of supplies, stretch your legs and reach France in as little as 100 minutes.

DFDS Ferries offers multiple daily crossings from Dover to Dunkirk and Calais – and back – with prices starting from £80* per car, including up to four people, for a one-way crossing and just £156* for a return fare. As well as France, there are crossings to Ireland and Holland, too. The routes are travelled by airy, smooth and modern ships equipped with several dining venues, children’s play areas, a duty-free shop and a private lounge. Factor in friendly crew members and no wonder that DFDS was once again named Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator at the 2024 World Travel Awards.

Discounts for Boundless members

DFDS is a Boundless-approved partner and is currently offering a range of discounts** for members, Including 10% off selected Dover – France ferry crossings, 15% off selected Newcastle – Amsterdam ferry crossings, and 33% off the cabin price on a special mini cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

For more information about the discounts, and to book a journey, visit the DFDS website.

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue.

All photos: Getty Images

*Lead-in price, based on one-way fare for a standard car carrying up to 4 passengers on Dover-France routes, including ETS charge. Journeys and prices are subject to availability and usual DFDS terms & conditions apply.

^••Terms and conditions apply – please see the DFDS website for full details.