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France/Germany Spring 2026
  • timandjacky uk
  • timandjacky uk

France/Germany Spring 2026

Just bimbling along through France and Germany. Fuel is a bit pricey at the moment so we're enjoying slower travel and shorter hops! Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 25, 2026
    timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Motorhome aire
    Motorhome aireStormy skies over the River Aa which runs infront of the aireNice walks alongside the River Aa

    Watten, Nord

    Mar 25–26 in France 🌬 9 °C

    The start of another trip in our motorhome.
    First stop Watten, a favourite first stopover for us, just a 40 minute drive from Calais.
    Glad to put our feet up after the drive from home to the Eurotunnel at Folkestone and onwards in France.
    A straightforward journey with a stop before the tunnel to pick up Niska's AHC (Animal Health Certificate) from Abbeywell Vets in Folkestone.    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Maison de Marais adjacent to the motorhome stopover
    Maison de Marais adjacent to the motorhome stopoverThe main square and Theatre "Le Moulin á Café' (The Coffee Grinder")Ruins of Saint Bertin Abbey (constructed between the 7th and 16th centuries)The grand Railway StationRiver AaBeautiful park with great walks a few steps away from our parkup

    Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais

    Mar 26–27 in France ☁️ 8 °C

    A supermarket trip this morning to stock up with food and a fortuitous meeting with an expat couple living in nearby St Omer who recommended a visit to their home town.
    With nowhere else specifically planned we took the short drive to an aire just outside the town at Saint-Martin-les-Tattinghem.Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Anneau de la Mémoire (Ring of Memories)580,000 names in alphabetical order of soldiers of all nationalities who fell in this area 1914-1918Necropolis of Notre Dame de Lorette.Deer in adjacent parklandThe final resting place of more than 42,000 French Soldiers who died in 1st World WarIn memory of JR Cox, Georges Amedée Castille, Georges Eugene Castille

    Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, Pas-de-Calais

    Mar 28–29 in France ⛅ 9 °C

    We are visiting an International Memorial at Ablain-Saint-Nazaire.
    This site remembers and pays tribute to all those lives sacrificed during the Great War. The Ring of Remembrance, an international memorial has been gathering almost 580,000 names of soldiers who fell in the Nord Pas-de-Calais region between 1914-1918 since 2014.
    The names are listed without distinction of nationality, rank, gender or religion
    We found 3 significant names on the memorial:
    JR Cox (John Richard known as Jack), Sgt of 3rd Worcestershire Regiment died on 18/12/14 aged 32. An ancestor of Tim's. (He is buried in Bailleul and we have visited his grave on previous trips).
    Georges Amedée Castille and Georges Eugene Castille may be ancestors of Jacky (née Castille) (investigation underway!).
    This site is also home to the necropolis of Notre Dame de Lorette. It is the largest national necropolis in France bringing together the graves of French soldiers killed in the first World War as well as a place of pilgrimage.
    We stayed overnight at this site.    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    These boats housed offices to rent
    These boats housed offices to rentNiska had a view of these Turkeys from her spot on the back window shelf.....kept her amusedArras' famous Bell TowerBell Tower overlooking Place des HérosPlace des Héros, marketplace with 155 baroque façades16th century church of John the BaptistCafés in Place des HérosThe oldest house in Place des Héros dates back to 1467 (the red brick building)Baroque buildings in Place des HérosCanal walk by the motorhome aireLots of ducks and ducklings in the canal

    Arras, Pas-de-Calais

    Mar 29–31 in France ☁️ 10 °C

    We spent a couple of very nice days in the historic town of Arras.
    Our aire was alongside the canal with lovely walks and the heart of the historic town was about 10 minutes walk away. Lots of very beautiful buildings especially those outlining Place des Héros a recently pedestrianised market square.
    We did the tour of the town without Niska, she's more interested in sniffing around the waterways than immersing herself in history.    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Our park up
    Our park up

    Catillon-sur-Sambre, Nord

    Mar 31 – Apr 1 in France ☁️ 10 °C

    Some essentials to see to today, restocking the fridge and filling the van with expensive diesel!
    We drove a short distance further to Catillon-sur-Sambre to a free park up alongside a canal and backing on to a small orchard.
    Very peaceful and some nice walks bit nit much more in this small place.
    We stood alone tonight. We don't mind that.    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Motorhome aire just outside the city walls
    Motorhome aire just outside the city wallsRocroi is famous for its defensive structure shown in this mapTown squareCovered market placeViews over the townThe town's defensive wallsTown HallTown squareRocroi is one of the few towns in Europe still entirely preserved in its star shape

    Rocroi, Ardennes

    Apr 1–3 in France ⛅ 12 °C

    We have driven into the Ardennes to stay just outside the walls of the 16th century fortified town of Rocroi just a few kilometres from the Belgian border.
    Its distinctive feature is its five pointed star shaped plan, a fortified urban design inspired by the modern military concepts of the time.
    We loved exploring the town and around the ramparts. We did loads of walking here, Niska loved it , so did we.
    We stayed here for 2 days to give us time to explore.
    The town also has two excellent boulangeries; of course we tried them both!    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Town Hall
    Town HallNotre Dame churchFormer Benedictine monastery (now a retirement home)Spires of Notre Dame churchStorks nesting atop a lamppostView across the town towards the churchOur park up by the canalNiska checking out the goatsSampling the local pastriesChildren's play areaViews across the canal towards townOur park upBurgundy Gate Tower (remains of the old fortifications)Views from the Burgundy Gate into the town

    Mouzon, Ardennes

    Apr 3–5 in France ☁️ 11 °C

    We spent the early weekend in Mouzon, a small town on the River Meuse and near the borders of Belgium and Luxembourg.
    It's name of Celtic origin comes from "Mosomagus" meaning the market on the Meuse.
    It's a charming small town, very quiet, nice walks and some interesting historic buildings.    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Niskka loved the citadel groundsThe back of the ramblers hostel where we parked upInside the CitadelStore roomsAn abandoned building in the citadelForest walk from our park up into the townOur park up next to a ramblers hostelA beautiful sunset

    Montmédy, Meuse

    Apr 6–8 in France ⛅ 14 °C

    We spent a couple of days at the citadel in Montmédy. Lots of really interesting walks in the trenches and at the higher levels. As is typical in France there were few restrictions exploring the site, watch out for those steep drops!!
    There were also beautiful forest walks into the town.
    We parked up by the ramblers hostel and stood alone at night, it was incredibly peaceful.
    This was a lovely place; Niska loved it! So did we!    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    One of the entrances into the town, showing that it is a designated Beau Village
    One of the entrances into the town, showing that it is a designated Beau VillageCitadel walls in the distanceOne of the beautiful walks into the townEaster decorations at the 17th century chapel of Our LadyThe citadel wallsCitadel and its rampartsBeautiful planting I'm the medieval gardensOne of our favourite walks into townTown houses in front of St. Nicholas churchBicycle chain decorationsStream running alongside the path into townPorte de SierckRelaxing in the sunMotorhome aireMotorhome aire

    Rodemack, Moselle

    Apr 7–11 in France ☀️ 19 °C

    We spent four days in Rodemack, a place we discovered last year and which has become a favourite of ours.
    700 metres of 15th century ramparts surround this medieval town with charming cobbled streets, striking historic buildings and charming houses with beautiful gardens. It deserves its Beau Village status.
    We enjoyed beautiful weather during our stay and walked the length and breadth of the town.....several times.    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Town HallThe Palmsche Haus in the Market PlaceOur Stellplatz

    Mosbach, Baden-Würtemberg

    Apr 16–17 in Germany ☁️ 18 °C

    Today we have driven to Mosbach which is on the Burgenstraße.
    A walk via the park took us to the historic town centre which features many timber framed houses including the Palmsche Haus (Palm House) which was built in 1610 and is the town's emblem.
    The Stellplatz was very popular and we took the last space....quite a few motorhomes double parked with mutual consent at the entrance.    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Our walk into the town centre

    Neckarbischofsheim, Baden-Württemberg

    April 17 in Germany ☀️ 21 °C

    Continuing along the Burgenstraße we stopped for lunch in Neckarbischofsheim in a free stopover which was very nice and decided to stay there for the night.
    Typically of alot of the places we have chosen to visit in this area it has a historic centre and beautiful parkland.
    We enjoyed very nice weather today and we have spotted a boulangerie for the morning!    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler
    Beautiful Wertwiesen Park, full of families on a sunny Saturday
    Beautiful Wertwiesen Park, full of families on a sunny SaturdayHeilbronn lies on the Neckar RiverStellplatz by the entrance to the park

    Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg

    Apr 18–20 in Germany ⛅ 22 °C

    We were lucky to find a spot to stay at the Stellplatz in Heilbronn which is right next to the beautiful Wertwiesen Park which stretches along the Neckar River.
    The park was full of families on Saturday when the weather was glorious!
    We stayed Sunday aswell, not so hot but lovely to spend more time in the park. You would not think it had been full of people the day before; not a piece of litter. We've noticed how clean Germany is!    Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler

    Schwäbisch Hall, Baden-Württemberg

    Apr 20–21 in Germany ⛅ 12 °C

    We are staying in the historic town of Schwäbisch Hall known for its well preserved medieval architecture and salt mining.
    The town centre is beautiful and full of history and we really enjoyed exploring.Read more

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler

    Rodemack

    Apr 22–23 in France ☀️ 16 °C

    We've had a long drive to Rodemack today, heading back to Blighty.
    This place has become a favourite and is close to the vet where we have an appointment tomorrow.

  • timandjacky ukFrance/Germany Spring 2026Traveler

    Saint-Omer

    Apr 24–25 in France ⛅ 17 °C

    We had an appointment at the Vet this morning for Niskas worming treatment and to get her travel documentation stamped. Then a long drive to St Omer ready for our channel tunnel crossing in the morning.
    We are going to return in June to pick up where we left off in Germany to continue into Bavaria and beyond!    Read more

    Trip end
    April 24, 2026