Ardres Hotel-Restaurant Le Relais, Pas de Calais

My wife and I have stayed here several times a while ago. The accommodation was always first class and the meals outstanding. We have also referred my wife's sister and her husband here which also impressed them. Being in Australia with Covid limits we are having to wait to get back but we will.

Two of us had a beautifully cooked lunch at Le Relais at Ardres, without prior booking. Service was excellent: friendly and unobtrusive. We've already booked a table for us and several friends on our next return journey. It's a treat to find good traditional cooking still available, making the journey a pleasure.

I took a party of 16 wine lovers there for a lunchtime meal (by prior arrangement.) Food & service was excellent and the wine supplied by local wine merchant Guy Boursot was superb - We were made very welcome from the start & the staff very pleasant.

Prices were very reasonable

Both accommodation and food are not overpriced. On Thursday mornings the local market is about 100yds away and sells just about everything. Very handy for cheese and charcuterie before heading home.

Winding our way back from Spain last month, we wanted a stop-off near Biarritz for a few days, so using a helpful site www.frenchconnections.co.uk, we found a room in a beautifully restored late 19th Century stately home, called Domaine de Bellegarde. Straight away, we knew we were going to enjoy our stay! Food was out of this world, owners and staff were lovely and really spoilt us (think we brightened up a quiet week!) And all the amenities were spot on. Tried a spot of fishing, I wasn't very good though! Even spent an hour or two playing tennis, but the place came into its own, after dinner simply strolling around the gardens. Peaceful. Very romantic and we were made to feel very special! Well worth a visit. Quote prop ref: 104682 off www.frenchconnections.co.uk for easy booking. But, book early, as they say they're very popular at peak season! Enjoy...

You wouldn't think there is much to commend the area around Calais, with its booze warehouses and to be honest quite boring scenery. But drive for 15 minutes to the village of Ardres and you'll get a delicious taste of authentic France. Le Relais is a hotel and restaurant, but we only ate there at a midweek lunchtime. As with most French establishments, you need to arrive promptly for lunch. We got there at about 12.30 and by the end of our meal Madame was politely but firmly speeding us on our way! The setting is a long dining room decorated in a traditional French country style, with an eclectic mix of rustic antiquities, paintings, tapestries and even a slightly moth eaten stuffed duck! But to the food. There's the usual selection of fixed price menus and we went for four course, for about 20 euros each. There is a good range of fish and meat dishes on offer for both starters and main courses. I thoroughly enjoyed a Cassoulet Gastronomique, which was simply stunning. Good local cheeses followed, and the meal was finished with a Creme Brulee. Friendly old fashioned service, great food, and relaxing surroundings.