Public Holidays and Dates to remember - all the datesPublic Holidays see many shops closed. However as in Britain, many shops are now opening. Half Terms - always busy - if you can go another time we suggest you do. Remember that French time is one hour ahead of British time. Summer time starts on the last Sunday in March at 2.00am, and ends on the last Sunday in October at 3.00am. More Valentines Day - 14th February. Mother's Day - Sunday 14th March - never forget Mummy. Halloween - 31st October. January - it is traditional in France for shops to close for the winter break. Even shop keepers need to get away! September - after the busy summer holiday period many shops, hotels and restaurants close in September. We strongly advice you to telephone and check if your favoured shop, hotel or restaurant is open if travelling or shopping in January or September (in areas where people traditionally holiday). August will be a bad month in areas such as Calais, as smaller shops will take their holidays then. Christian holidays (Dates change each year) - French School Holidays Ski Season (dates to watch) - 2011 (France and the United Kingdom) |
Making the most of your dayGo early. Pay by credit card - Although all the shops and supermarkets are keen to get you to pay with sterling the rates are rarely to your advantage. Fill up with diesel in the afternoon - you will save about 8% on United Kingdom prices. Check our prices page before you go - print the page or make a note of the things you want which are cheaper. Prepare your shopping list - if you know what you want to buy (nuts etc.) make a note of the United Kingdom price before you go. Boulogne (Auchan) and Dunkirk (Auchan) are good places to go to avoid the crowds - just 25 minutes up and down the A16 autoroute (free). Don't buy boxes of chocolates in the United Kingdom You get better quality and value in France. Even better go to Belgium (Adinkerke) and stock up on good value cheap chocolates. If you are buying tobacco in Adinkerke, Belgium we suggest you try Confiserie Dalipan in De Panne itself or D and O Alexander Chocolates for chocolate treats. Champagne is very good value in France. For non-brand bubbly (if you are having lots of visitors go to the hypermarkets. For better quality stuff go to Le Chais or CPH Wines Markets are often good places to find unusual gifts. |
What to Buy - where to save moneyBest Value items Alcohol - buy it in France - the duty is so much less so most alcohol is cheaper. Beer prices / Sprit prices / Champagne etc. - best value is champagne. SAVE up to 75% Household - soap powder softeners, baby wipes, CD's, cat litter, DIY products, toothpaste, shampoo, cordless kettles, kitchenware, mens and womens shaving products, aluminium foil, car stereo's, camcorder film, coffins, printing paper. Prices. SAVE up to 50% Children - push chairs, car seats, travel cots, bike seats, baby clothes, toys, mountain bikes. Prices We hear that "Doliprane paracetamol Suppositoires" are much cheaper in France. SAVE up to 30% Clothes - Levi 501's, branded shoes, clothes. Scuba gear (Go Sport, Cité Europe). SAVE up to 30% Food - Anchovies, baby food, biscuits, cheese, chicory (Endives - 85% less in France), chocolate, Coca Cola, cous cous, dry dog food, dry packet soups, fromage frais, ground coffee, jams, mashed potato, mayonnaise, mineral water, mustard, olive oil, orange juice, nesquick, nutella spread, pasta, pasta sauces, rice, salad dressings, tinned sweetcorn, salt, smoked salmon, UHT milk, yoghurt. Prices The town of Licques is famous for its turkey's - SAVE up to 60%. www.licques-volailles.fr Perfumes and Cosmetics - Biggest savings on Skin Care particularly CLARINS. Ferry good value for perfumes. SAVE up to 30% Eyewear. SAVE up to 20% Tobacco - price survey results - one of the best buys in France and Belgium. Pouch tobacco very much cheaper in Belgium as are cigarette papers. Save £563 in France, £931 in Belgium, £939 in Luxembourg and stay within the limits!. SAVE up to 50% Diesel - price survey results - worthwhile savings, if you visit France regularly worth buying a diesel car. SAVE up to 16% Petrol - price survey results - no savings to be had due to tax rises in France. |
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