travel Bon bed & breakfast ONSIDERING its proximity, less There’s nothing much wrong with the superb army defeated the flower of French knighthood than 90 minutes away across ROGER ST PIERRE dinners offered either. Richard never trained as on St Crispin’s Day, Europe’s largest fishing the Channel, and the amazing a chef but he is a confirmed foodie and a wine port at Boulogne, the upscale seaside resort of low-cost fares available at this discovers a hidden enthusiast too, and he makes the most of the Le Touquet, the medieval walls of Montreuil sur time of year, it’s surprising that corner of France that’s region’s superb larder to create a hybrid of Mer, which is, rather bizarrely, now seven miles France’s Nord-Pas de Calais British and French regional cuisine. from the sea, and the ornate cobbled squares C The prices will please too. It’s just 89 euros of the charming little city of Arras. region does not receive more very close to home attention from British visitors. per room per night, including breakfast, for one Heuchin is set amid the beautiful Seven The problem is that once they’ve crossed of the three large and truly delightful bedrooms Valleys. There’s a delightful web of lightly that narrow stretch of water – the busiest sea – with two more nearing readiness – while the travelled byroads, picturesque little villages lane in the world – most Brits get straight on Vanessa’s background in design resounds five-course dinner is priced at an equally beside babbling trout streams and straggling the motorway and head south. from the moment you step through the massive reasonable 35 euros per person, including a ridges of gently rolling hills. Forests and They really don’t know what they are missing front doors and into the magnificent living room, half-bottle of wine. lakes abound. And there’s a surfeit of out on, so much closer to home. decorated in a contemporary art deco style. The house is set on the outskirts of the panoramic views. Dulwich residents Richard and Vanessa Like something straight off the pages of sprawling village of Heuchin. It’s just 50 You might, though, prefer to relax at Maison Rhoades-Brown made the discovery, swapped House & Garden, Maison de Plumes, which minutes down the A26 autoroute from Calais de Plume. There’s a vast lawn and a welcoming their cramped London home for a spacious gets it name from Vanessa’s love for our and is within an easy drive of seven deck complete with barbecue and hot tub. maison de maitre – a magnificent and highly feathered friends in general and peacocks in championship golf courses. Vanessa and Richard only opened for elegant mansion bought from an elderly particular, is somehow grand and elegant at Other local attractions include the Great War business in July but their guest book is already countess for just over £200,000 – and sank the the same time. Doves flock in the garden while battle sites and memorials of the First World full of accolades, not just from the English but rest of their savings into creating a new home chickens fed on maize provide eggs of the War’s epic Battle of the Somme, the field at from German, Dutch, Australian and, yes, for themselves and a B&B business. most exquisite flavour. Agincourt where King Henry V and his little French guests as well. ● ROGER St. Pierre crossed the Channel with Seafrance aboard Freedom, returning three days later on the Rodin, both offering comfortable lounges, affordable refreshments and a high-speed crossing that had him back on nt the road within 90 minutes. ● Seek out some specialities: poi Perle de Grossielles, an alcoholic sparkler flavoured with redcurrants; Potsjvliesch: rabbit, pork and chicken in an aspic jelly; and pungent Boulet d’Avesnes cheese. travel ● Maison de Plumes is located at 73 Rue d’Aire 62131, Heuchin, France. Tel: 0033 321 414 7855. E-mail: enquire@maison PETAL POWER: deplumes.com. Locally-grown flowers Web: www.maisondeplumes.com on sale in Hesdin.