Marché de Noël d’Amiens: Northern France’s biggest Christmas Market

Amiens by night, Amiens by bike

In less than a month, 23 November to be exact, the 2012 Marché de Noël d’Amiens will be open. While I appreciate that it often seems that preparations for Christmas start earlier and earlier each year, it does seem to me that the Christmas market in Amiens is something different, not least because it is not one big commercial trap. I go each year, usually just before Christmas, in the late afternoon just before it closes early evening. It is a wonderful evening out and one I can recommend, for the whole family as well. Continue reading

Tour de France 2012 – Stage 5

Having watched various stages of Tour de France each year on TV it made a great change to be able to see it on the road, so to speak. In the seven year since I have been living in Basse Copette none of the stages have passed really close enough. And then like the proverbial buses, two days at once.

Two days of Tour de France in Normandy, 2012

Tour de France, 2012.

I have been meaning to go and see the Gallo Roman theatre at Vendeuil Caply for my Archaeology Travel website for a few months now, and the other day it dawned on me that Stage 5 of Tour de France (Rouen to Saint Quentin) passed very close by. Perfect! Continue reading

Tour de France in Normandy 2012

Tour de France has two stages in Normandy in 2012

The finish line ...

Great news for guests to Basse Copette next year: there is not one but two stages of Tour de France 2012 in Upper Normandy! Yes, stages 4 and 5 pass around the edge of Seine Maritime with Basse Copette right at the centre – meaning you get a great choice of places to witness this great sporting event. And on two days – Wednesday 4 July and Thursday 5 July 2012 – propitious numbers indeed! Exact details will only be published next June, but we know on Wednesday 4 July stage 4 starts in Abbeville, about 30 minutes up the road, heads for Eu and then along the coast to Fecamp before finishing in Rouen. Stage 5 on July 5 starts in Rouen, about 45 minutes away, and passes south of Basse Copette as it heads towards Saint Quentin. Two days to experience Tour de France in Normandy in 2012, all the while staying at Basse Copette. Continue reading