France is the closest place for us that is “different” or not like home and from our place to the French border is only a few hours drive.
Last summer (2025) we made a few long weekend trips into Norther France on our BMW Adventure’er’s And although Picardy does not exist any more in any formal sense due to the 2016 French administrative reforms its does exist in a historical and cultural sense. And that be our raison d’y aller!
Starting on the Belgium French border, we call into Arras, visit some World War One Battle sites and then continue onto the coast. It was quite a moving experience. And that be our raison d’y aller! Its immense here…I secretly love it here in France (dont tell the French..)
04:38: Arras and the square of Heros
10:15 Arras in the morning
19:33: Irish /Ulster Memorial Tower
22:56: Thiepval Memorial to the missing
Enjoy
JOTB
2 Comments
What a trip and what an incredible area..from boozing in the old town squares to being overwhelmed at Irish and Allied WW1 memorials scattered throughout the region. We can fully understand why France is the most visited country in the world…there is just so much there!
Just inspired me to book the eurotunnel on Wednesday and head over to check it out and pay my respects (1250 GSA too…)