Let’s go to France… just for the day.
Sometimes all you need is a day away. Leave the Kent coast behind and discover the charm of northern France on a beautifully planned escape. Come with friends, as a couple, in a group, or simply treat yourself and enjoy a little taste of France that's closer than you think.
Your escape - all included
Departing from Deal Castle, luxury travel services provided by leading local operator, Bayliss Executive Travel — leaving you free to relax, explore and enjoy the day.
Your French Escape — Just for the day.
Your day includes:
First class transport with Bayliss Executive Travel
Return channel crossing from Kent to France
A taste of local life, from local French markets to exploring historic towns
A visit to a leading hypermarket to stock up on all your everyday goodies
A delicious three or four-course lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant
Wine, beer, and cheese tastings local providers
Time for Duty Free — the savings you can make might just pay for your escape!
Your dedicated McLean Events hosts, with you from departure to return
What you can expect
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We take care of the travel arrangements, including your shuttle or ferry crossing and border formalities, to make getting to France as easy and stress-free as possible.
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Every trip is designed around the French experience, from local markets and historic towns to sampling a variety wine, beer and French food delicacies.
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Enjoy a delicious lunch at a classic French restaurant selected from one of our carefully chosen list of eateries. Dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
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The McLean Events team will be with you throughout the day, taking care of the details so you're free to relax, explore and enjoy your French escape.
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SUPPORTED BY CALAIS TOURIST BOARD
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SUPPORTED BY BAYLISS EXECUTIVE TRAVEL
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SUPPORTED BY DEAL RADIO
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SUPPORTED BY DEAL TOWN KITCHEN
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SUPPORTED BY DFDS
🇫🇷 SUPPORTED BY CALAIS TOURIST BOARD 🇬🇧 SUPPORTED BY BAYLISS EXECUTIVE TRAVEL 📻 SUPPORTED BY DEAL RADIO 🍽️ SUPPORTED BY DEAL TOWN KITCHEN ⛴️ SUPPORTED BY DFDS
Programmes & Timings
Current trips are on sale below. New excursions for 2026 will be announced shortly, featuring two Christmas market outings in December. Our 2027 programme, to be published October 1st, will include a variety of DAY TRIP SPECIALS incorporating history excursions, a visit to Nautica aquarium, a beer and wine tour, beach trips in the summer, Seafood specials, and regular visits to the spring and summer markets close to Calais.
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This extra special cross channel excursion incorporates the programme below, and throws in a few extra treats along the way
Executive transport. Return ferry crossing from Dover to Calais. A stroll around the local shops and market. A three course lunch at the famous La Buissonnaire restaurant. Wine, beer, cheese and delicatessen tastings at a leading local provider of traditional food and drink. A visit to the Calais duty free warehouse. Hosting throughout the day.
Timings;
Depart Deal Castle. Timings to be confirmed 2 weeks prior
09.10 Ferry departs to France from Dover.
11.50 (Local time) Ferry arrives in Calais. Coach to town centre (10 minutes) Introduction to France by Tourist Board.
12.15 A stroll around local shops and market before lunch
13.15 Short coach ride to the restaurant for lunch
13.30 La Buissonnaire restaurant where a traditional three course lunch will be served
14.45 5 minute coach ride to a wine, beer, cheese and delicatessen
15.00 Afternoon tastings session hosted by culinary experts, Jerome and Stefan. Two reds and two whites with accompanying cheeses and meats to suit, or coffee, cakes and free time, as you prefer
15.45 Coach to Calais port (10 mins)
16.00 Calais Port Duty Free superstore. Spend £150 and get a free crossing for a car and five passengers
18.05 Ferry departs Calais
19.00 (Local time)Drop off Deal Castle. End of tour. (Times are subject to change)
All times shown are subject to ferry on time departures and arrivals
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Le Shuttle offers the perfect option for travelling cross channel in the winter months, and this package incorporates an all inclusive programme shown below, with a few extra treats along the way
Executive coach transport and return crossing on Le Shuttle from Folkstone to Calais. A trip to Carrefour Cité Europe, the largest hypermarket in Northern France. Visit the local Calais markets or stroll around the local shops, Take an optional history tour, before a three course lunch at the famous La Buissonnaire restaurant. Wine, beer, cheese and tastings will follow at Calais Vin, a leading local provider of French traditional food and drink. A visit to the Calais duty free warehouse offers an end of tour bonus for everyone on the trip with some incredible savings on beer. wine, cigarettes and perfumes, just in time for Christmas.
Timings;
Pickup at Sandwich train station and Deal Castle. Times to be confirmed 2 weeks prior to departure
08.20 Le Shuttle departs to France from Folkestone.
09.55 (Local time) Le Shuttle arrives in Calais.
10.15 Carrefour Cité Europe hypermarket for one hour of dedicated shopping.
11.30 Stroll around local market, shops, cafes with an optional history tour thrown in as preferred.
13.00 Lunch at La Buissonnaire restaurant. A traditional three course lunch will be served with aperitifs and wine. Simply amazing!
14.30 Walk off lunch along the Calais promenade or in the Calais shopping district
15.45 Coach to local specialist of wine, beer, cheese and traditional French foods with optional tasting sessions by culinary experts, Jerome and Stefan, or simply enjoy coffee, cakes and free time.
17.00 Coach departs for Le Shuttle terminal
17.15 Arrive at Le Shuttle terminal Shop at the Duty Free superstore for some incredible bargains with Christmas only a month away.
18.50 Le Shuttle departs Calais
18.25 (Local time) Le Shuttle arrives in Folkstone
Drop off Deal Castle and Sandwich. (Times are subject to change)
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Le Shuttle offers the perfect option for travelling cross channel in the winter months, and this package incorporates an all inclusive programme shown below, with a few extra treats along the way
A visit to Gravelines Christmas market, only 10 minutes from Calais, and one of the best regional markets in Northern France, with none of the overcrowding and intensity you might expect from Christmas celebrations in a large city. It may be your first real taste of festive cheer for 2026.
A four course Christmas lunch at Calais famous La Buissonnaire restaurant for a festive experience with a twinge of French style for good flavour.
Executive coach transport and return crossing on Le Shuttle from Folkstone to Calais to get to your destination in the shortest possible time.
A stop off on the way to lunch at Carrefour Cité Europe, one of the largest hypermarkets in Northern France, which in itself has become a top regional tourist attraction.
Plus a chance to stock up on all your duty frees at the Le Shuttle mega store where you’ll find some incredible savings on beer. wine, cigarettes and perfumes, just in time for Christmas.
Timings;
Pickup at Sandwich train station and Deal Castle. Times to be confirmed 2 weeks prior to departure
09.20 Le Shuttle departs to France from Folkestone.
09.55 (Local time) Le Shuttle arrives in Calais.
10.15 Carrefour Cité Europe hypermarket for one hour of dedicated shopping.
11.30 Stroll around the local market, shops, cafes before lunch
13.00 Christmas unch at La Buissonnaire restaurant. A festive four course lunch served with aperitifs and wine. Simply amazing!
15.00 Coach to Gravelines Christmas market for a wonderful taste of seasonal celebration, French style.
18.00 Coach departs for Le Shuttle terminal
18.30 Arrive at Le Shuttle terminal Shop at the Duty Free Mega store for some incredible bargains with Christmas only a month away.
20.20 Le Shuttle departs Calais
19.55 (Local time) Le Shuttle arrives in Folkstone
Drop off Deal Castle and Sandwich. (Times are subject to change)
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Le Shuttle offers the perfect option for travelling cross channel in the winter months, and this package incorporates an all inclusive programme shown below, with a few extra treats along the way
A visit to Gravelines Christmas market, only 10 minutes from Calais, and one of the best regional markets in Northern France, with none of the overcrowding and intensity you might expect from Christmas celebrations in a large city. It may be your first real taste of festive cheer for 2026.
A four course Christmas lunch at Calais famous La Buissonnaire restaurant for a festive experience with a twinge of French style for good flavour.
Executive coach transport and return crossing on Le Shuttle from Folkstone to Calais to get to your destination in the shortest possible time.
A stop off on the way to lunch at Carrefour Cité Europe, one of the largest hypermarkets in Northern France, which in itself has become a top regional tourist attraction.
Plus a chance to stock up on all your duty frees at the Le Shuttle mega store where you’ll find some incredible savings on beer. wine, cigarettes and perfumes, just in time for Christmas.
Timings;
Pickup at Sandwich train station and Deal Castle. Times to be confirmed 2 weeks prior to departure
09.20 Le Shuttle departs to France from Folkestone.
09.55 (Local time) Le Shuttle arrives in Calais.
10.15 Carrefour Cité Europe hypermarket for one hour of dedicated shopping.
11.30 Stroll around the local market, shops, cafes before lunch
13.00 Christmas unch at La Buissonnaire restaurant. A festive four course lunch served with aperitifs and wine. Simply amazing!
15.00 Coach to Gravelines Christmas market for a wonderful taste of seasonal celebration, French style.
18.00 Coach departs for Le Shuttle terminal
18.30 Arrive at Le Shuttle terminal Shop at the Duty Free Mega store for some incredible bargains with Christmas only a month away.
20.20 Le Shuttle departs Calais
19.55 (Local time) Le Shuttle arrives in Folkstone
Drop off Deal Castle and Sandwich. (Times are subject to change)
Bon voyage
Five reasons to treat yourself to a Luxury DAY TRIP to France, from executive travel and fabulous food to exploring, shopping and a little French “joie de vivre”.
The journey begins
First-class travel on the ferry or Le Shuttle, with everything taken care of from start to finish
French classics to savour
From the moment you arrive, the French cafes will reach out to you everywhere you go
Explore & discover
French markets, historic towns and time to discover local life as it was many years ago
A taste of France
Three-course dining, with aperitif, regional wine, beer, cheese and delicatessen tasting.
A little shopping
French favourites, local finds and time to make the most of Duty Free on your way back home
Mclean Events - your host
McLean Events has been organising events for over 30 years in multiple industries.
The opportunity to operate all-inclusive luxury day trips to France presented itself to the company’s founder, Nick Needs, who, in the last few years, has moved to Deal.
Nick has been a volunteer at the Astor Theatre in Deal and in 2025, he staged Deal Oktoberfest. Nick is also promoting two local bands, both of which have appeared recently at key venues.
Nick says, “Deal deserves a high-quality ‘Day Trip to France’ and in 2027 this will hopefully run regularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays”.
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