France Road Trip: Day 1 (From Calais to Reims)

Our first road trip together last summer involved us touring the north coast of Scotland in relatively cool temperatures, while the rest of the UK was basking in the heatwave that saw temperatures soar to more than 40°C for the first time since records began. This year, our trip is guaranteed to bring us temperatures of more than 30°C on occasions, as we begin our car journey to the south of France. 

Melanie doesn’t let many people drive her as a passenger, preferring to be behind the wheel herself. I am one of the chosen few who reaches the standard required (such is the nature of my job of testing other people’s driving). So with me behind the wheel and Melanie’s superb sense of direction and excellent navigational skills, we make a very good team for road-tripping. 

We disembarked the ferry from Dover to Calais just after 10am French time (an hour ahead of the UK) and immediately set off down the A26 to Riems for our first hotel stop. Electing to take the A26 toll road (péage) for speed and to gently ease me into driving on the right, after a picnic stop at a resting place at the side of the road, we arrived at the Enzo Hotel 150 miles later at 1.30pm, slightly early for our 2pm check-in.  

Our travel companion is our bright yellow Nissan Juke (affectionately known as Scarlett), which is easy to find in a car park. She’s all kitted up with headlight deflectors and GB stickers on the number plates to meet the legal requirements for French roads. Driving has been relatively straightforward so far, but we’ve not done any inner city driving. After checking in at the hotel, we took a taxi into the centre of Reims where we walked and listened to a live pan pipe band with some very clever dancers. A meal in the Place du Forum washed down with local champagne rounded off the evening before a long stroll back to the hotel. 

Place Drouet d’Ergon, Reims

“Listen to the crickets,” Mel said, “Doesn’t it sound beautiful!”

“I can’t hear any,” I said. 

“But they’re all around,” she said.

It turns out that my ears can no longer pick up such a high frequency. Mel’s ears are younger than mine. I must be getting old. 

Tomorrow we head further south.