Our next stop in France, after one night near Calais, was the Picardie region, east of Paris; this was approximately a 3 hour journey and would be easily accessible if arriving in Calais and wanting to break up a journey travelling south. The Caravan Club site is Au Bord de L'Aisne in Guignicourt, a small town, 25km from Reims to the south, and 34km from Laon in the north. Although not usually open during winter, they have had many requests this year.
The couple than run the site greeted us and were extremely friendly, chatting in both French and English. Their three cats provided entertainment for the girls. They explained that the site during the summer is full, with 80-100 people arriving and leaving on a daily basis and many English visitors stay. On the site map there are designated areas for Caravan Club members and they run tours to the nearby Champagne caves. At this time of year we were the only people on the site, except for two other English motorhomes that turned up for one night.
Although the site was quiet and empty it is easy to imagine it bustling with activity during the summer. The pitches are grass and overlook the river. There is an indoor heated pool, and playground equipment for children, including swings and trampolines.
The small town of Guignicourt is a quaint French town. We were there for the weekend and very little seemed to be happening on either day but it is pleasant walk to wander through the streets. For those with bikes there are a few different cycle routes in the area but there is one that runs not far from the site. There are maps at reception giving the details of the different length routes that you take.
The region has strong links with World War One; there are caves (converted in barracks during the war) and museums dedicated to events associated with the war. As well as Champagne caves, there are also caves with prehistoric fossilised snail shells. Above ground, there is also plenty to see. Guignicourt is on the train line between Laon and Reims therefore both are easy to visit. It is always an experience trying out foreign transport; the French trains are very different and certainly worth experiencing.
Our stay at Au Bord de l'Aisne was quite short but we wanted to experience as much as possible. As soon as we arrived we wandered around the streets of Guignicourt and stocked up at the local supermarket. The following morning, Amy walked to the nearby boulangerie to order our breakfast and was able to practise some of the French that she has been learning. She returned with croissants and pains au chocolat although had been a little fazed when the woman had responded to her request with a rapid French phrase asking for change rather than a note! She understood though.
On the Sunday we caught the train to Reims (a twenty minute journey), which had been recommended to us by numerous people. The fact that is was Sunday (and the first Sunday of the month) meant that there were very few people about (and that the museums were free). Sunday is a very quiet day in France and is regarded as a day spent with the family or at home. There are no (or very few) shops and cafes open. We managed to grab a bite to eat in a small cafe after a tour of the cathedral and before looking around le Musee des Beaux Arts.
The Picardie region is very picturesque and, if we had stayed longer, we would have loved to explore the nearby cycle tracks, parks and historical sites. You could easily spend a week or more here.
